Out-of-practice education

Out-of-practice education

In addition to your in-practice education, you can access out-of-practice education, including self-directed learning, peer learning and exam preparation. Some activities are mandatory for your progression through training and others are optional.

We encourage you to make the most of the resources and opportunities to connect with peers.
 

Small group learning

You'll attend a series of small group learning (SGL) sessions run by an ME. These sessions will be peer-led covering various topics from the RACGP Curriculum and syllabus. SGL's may vary in duration (for example, between one and two hours). You'll be sent calendar invitations for these sessions to your nominated email address in advance.

Participation in SGL is mandatory throughout your training terms.

Some SGLs may include case-based discussions and reflective activities to ensure certain competency domains are met.
 

Clinical audit

A clinical audit is a systematic review of aspects of clinical performance. It's a valuable quality improvement activity designed to explore areas such as:

• rational ordering of investigations (radiology/pathology):
  • review the frequency of tests ordered, for example, thyroid function test in patients on long-term thyroxine replacement
  • imaging in acute knee and ankle injuries, for example, what the indications are and what modalities could be used.
• management/prescribing:
  • how closely did you follow clinical guidelines in the management of (for example) lower back pain
  • review your prescribing as compared to current best practice.
• preventive medicine activities:
  • review patient records for recording of smoking status and smoking cessation advice given
  • review patient records for recording of current alcohol use, alcohol cessation and reduction advice given.

You'll complete a mandatory clinical audit activity addressing specific aspects of preventive health in your training site. You'll use the audit template to analyse de-identified patient data and reflect on the outcomes of the care provided. You'll need to submit your de-identified patient data and responses to the reflection questions. The results of your audit will be discussed with your ME within an SGL session.
 

Event analysis

An event analysis, also known as a significant event analysis, is a formal way of analysing incidents that may impact patient care. This activity is mandatory and involves identifying an incident (eg unexpected death, medical error or communication failure) and reviewing reporting guidelines and subsequent actions, including remedial activities.

You'll be provided with a template to aid you in completing this assessment and the outcomes will be discussed in a SGL session.
 

Evidence-based medicine activity

Critical appraisal in medicine is an important skill to ensure your practice is evidence based. You’ll be required to submit an evidence-based medicine (EBM) activity for discussion with your ME.

The EBM involves choosing an article from a selection provided by your ME and completing an analysis of the evidence. You'll be provided with a worksheet containing a framework for completing the anaylsis and you'll need to submit the completed worksheet before the SGL session when this activity will be discussed.

You will discuss what you have learned in an SGL session with your ME and peers.
 

Continuing professional development

While you're progressing adequately in the education component of the FSP your continuing professional development (CPD) requirements will be met by your program participation. If you work as a doctor outside the training program while on approved leave from training, you become personally responsible for meeting your annual MBA CPD requirements. Read more about this in the CPD guide for GPs in training.