Recognition of Prior Learning and Experience for Fellowship in Advanced Rural General Practice (FARGP) transition to Fellowship of the RACGP Rural Generalist (FRACGP-RG) Guidance Document

1. Introduction

This guidance document details the principles and processes to transition the FARGP qualification to the new Rural Generalist qualification Fellowship of the RACGP Rural Generalist (FRACGP-RG).

2. Context

1. 2.1 The RACGP is phasing out the current FARGP qualification and replacing it with the RACGP Rural Generalist Fellowship (post-nominal FRACGP-RG) from 1 July 2022.
2. 2.2 The RACGP Rural Generalist Fellowship is a new qualification introduced into a field with an existing workforce of Rural Generalists recognised with the FARGP. Therefore, the RACGP is providing existing FARGP holders a time-limited offer to receive the RACGP Rural Generalist Fellowship as outlined in this guidance document.
3. 2.3 The FARGP to RACGP Rural Generalist Fellowship RPLE process recognises the knowledge, skills and qualifications of practising rural general practitioners (GPs) and registrars by offering them the opportunity to submit evidence that demonstrates how they fully or partially meet the specific outcomes of the RACGP Rural Generalist Fellowship.
4. 2.4 This guidance document provides information for medical practitioners who:
   1. are currently part way through their training and have not yet satisfactorily completed all FARGP components; or
   2. have been admitted to Fellowship of the RACGP and FARGP and are practising GPs with recent or current rural general practice experience.

3. Guidance for current FARGP Registrars

• 3.1 FARGP registrars transitioning to the RACGP Rural Generalist Fellowship stream can apply for RPLE for any of the following components with appropriate evidence of satisfactory completion:
  1. 52 calendar weeks full time equivalent (FTE) of rural general practice experience in a Modified Monash Model (MMM) 3-7 location,
     1. The evidence to support this should include:
        1. curriculum vitae,
        2. statement of service or letter of employment, and
        3. support letters or references from supervisors and/or colleagues.
  2. 52 calendar weeks FTE of Additional Rural Skills Training (ARST),
     1. The RACGP requires registrars to complete 52 calendar weeks FTE of ARST in an accredited procedural or non-procedural post or have spent sufficient time in rural general practice to develop additional skills. Refer to the relevant ARST curriculum in the table below for the outcomes expected by completing the ARST.

        Procedural ARST disciplines	Non-procedural ARST disciplines
        Anaesthesia	Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health
        Emergency Medicine	Adult Internal Medicine
        Obstetrics	Child health
        Surgery	Mental health
        	Palliative care
        	Academic Post

     2. Appropriate evidence for an ARST includes, but is not limited to one or more of the following:
        1. Current certificates from accredited organisations for additional skills you are using in your practice, or if this is not available, the below may be considered:
           1. Copy of curriculum or outline of relevant training programs,
           2. References or reports from supervisors and/or colleagues, and/or
           3. Logbook or case studies (where relevant).
        2. Statement of service or letter of employment from relevant positions,
        3. Reflection on experience of completing an advanced skills posting and its relevance to rural general practice (250 words), and/or
        4. Evidence of attending relevant continuing professional development (CPD) programs.
  3. Core Emergency Medicine Training (core-EMT), and
     1. Registrars need to demonstrate they have achieved the outcomes in the core-EMT curriculum and the skills listed in the logbook.
     2. Appropriate evidence for the core-EMT includes, but is not limited to, one or more of the following:
        1. Certificate of completion from at least one advanced emergency skills course within the past three years,
        2. Evidence of participation in an on-call emergency roster,
        3. Evidence of completion of an emergency qualification such as the Australasian College for Emergency Medicine (ACEM) Emergency Medicine Certificate or Diploma,
        4. Evidence of significant experience working in an emergency setting, and/or
        5. Evidence of having achieved the skills listed in the Emergency Skills Logbook found in the Core-EMT curriculum.
  4. Community project (requirement for the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health and some individualised ARSTs).
     1. The requirement for a community-focused project is determined by the Rural Censor and could have been undertaken as part of the FARGP or a previous similar project. Examples of such projects include, but is not limited to:
        1. Post-graduate studies in public health or health promotion, e.g. Masters in Public Health,
        2. Post-graduate studies in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health,
        3. A university course that included a community-based needs assessment, or
        4. A research-based journal article or conference paper that has been peer reviewed and published.
     2. Registrars need to demonstrate they completed a project over a minimum of 26 calendar weeks on a topic relevant to the community, including a community needs assessment identifying needs or gaps in the community.
     3. Registrars need to demonstrate skills in planning, carrying out, evaluating, and presenting a ‘project concept’.
     4. Appropriate evidence for the community project component includes, but is not limited to, one or more of the following:
        1. a health-related project (minimum of 26 calendar weeks, including planning and evaluation) conducted in a rural location that involved the community in the planning, with descriptions and examples of processes used to consult with the community, plan and evaluate the project,
        2. a comprehensive description of the demography (including most common health issues) of a rural community in which you practise(d),
        3. a transcript of results from an academic program and at least 100 words outlining how the program was relevant to rural general practice,
        4. any peer-reviewed papers published (the abstracts will suffice), and/or
        5. a reference from local government official or other relevant organisations detailing your community involvement.

• 3.2 Registrars cannot apply for RPLE for their learning plan and reflection component of the FARGP.

4. Guidance for FARGP GPs

1. 4.1 The RACGP will transition GPs with the FARGP to the RACGP Rural Generalist Fellowship without additional requirements provided there is supporting evidence of:
   1. current rural hospital credentialing to provide emergency services,
   2. previous rural hospital credentialing to provide emergency services (within ten years), or
   3. admittance to Fellowship of the Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine (FACCRM).
2. 4.2 GPs who have never been credentialed to provide emergency services in a rural hospital will need to show evidence of having completed training equivalent to the core-EMT.
   1. Appropriate evidence for training equivalent to the core-EMT includes, but is not limited to, one or more of the following:
      1. Certificate of completion from at least one advanced emergency course within the past 3 years and must be current at the time of submission,
      2. Evidence of participation in an on-call emergency roster,
      3. Evidence of completion of an emergency qualification such as the ACEM Emergency Certificate or Diploma,
      4. Evidence of significant experience working in an emergency setting, or
      5. Evidence of having achieved the skills listed in the Emergency Skills Logbook.

5. Guidance for GPs with FRACGP and FACRRM

1. 5.1 GPs who hold FRACGP and FACRRM who would like to obtain the RACGP Rural Generalist Fellowship can apply for RPLE for any of the following components with appropriate evidence of satisfactory completion:
2. 1. 1. FACRRM by assessment,
      2. FRACGP, 
      3. financial member of the RACGP,
      4. unrestricted Australian medical registration,
      5. 52 weeks FTE of rural general practice experience in a MMM3-7 location within the last five calendar years,
      6. core-emergency medicine training including an advanced level emergency course, and
      7. evidence of completed 12-month Additional Rural Skills Training (ARST).
3. 5.2 GPs applying to have experience recognised that was undertaken more than five calendar years prior to the application for RPLE must provide additional evidence to demonstrate that they have maintained the knowledge and skills acquired during the period, including relevant CPD requirements.
4. 5.3 GPs who did not obtain their FACRRM by assessment are not eligible and need to apply through the RACGP’s General Practice Experience Pathway.

6. Evaluation of RPLE application

6.1 The Rural Education Administrator will review the RPLE application to ensure all required information has been received.

6.2 The Rural Censor will review the evidence and determine if RPLE will be awarded and whether any further activities are needed to sufficiently meet the requirements of the RACGP Rural Generalist Fellowship.

6.3 Once all evidence has been considered, the decision of the Rural Censor is final.

7. Glossary