Introduction to the program
The Australian General Practice Training (AGPT) Program is funded by the Australian Government and offers an apprenticeship model of training over 3–4 years. The RACGP has a national approach to training, with delivery by local training teams supported by regional and national teams.
The RACGP AGPT Program is a comprehensive education program grounded in the RACGP educational framework and its three guiding educational instruments:
- The RACGP curriculum and syllabus for Australian general practice is an indispensable tool for registrars and supervisors. It provides the scope of educational content (42 individual units) for the AGPT Program and details the educational competencies and learning outcomes..
- The Progressive capability profile of the general practitioner is a public statement of the RACGP’s view of the capabilities of an Australian GP from entry to general practice training through to post-Fellowship. By defining the capabilities and competencies required at four milestones of general practice training, it is a benchmark for professional skills and behaviours.
- Our education policies and standards aim to ensure high-quality, effective education and safe clinical practice in workplace training.
The AGPT Program includes hospital training, general practice placements (GPT1, 2 and 3) and extended or additional rural skills training for those in the rural generalist stream. Hospital training is undertaken in an accredited Australian or New Zealand hospital, and community general practice placements and extended skills and additional rural skills training are all undertaken at RACGP accredited training sites. The RACGP is responsible for setting the standards and ensuring training sites are accredited.
Registrars may choose to train with either the general stream (and work in or near a city) or the rural stream (working mainly in rural or regional areas).
Who’s who in training
The RACGP has a distributed operations model that ensures national consistency in delivery of registrar training while allowing local flexibility. A local team is your initial contact for support, and they are in turn supported by RACGP regional and national services and teams.
RACGP local training team
The RACGP local training team includes:
- a training coordinator
- a medical educator
- a cultural mentor
- a program support officer
Training coordinator
A training coordinator is allocated to every practice and to every registrar. They are a key contact and the first port of call for all training-related queries (eg administrative tasks, requirements for training progression, etc). Training coordinators work closely with the local medical education team.
Medical educator
A medical educator is allocated to every practice and to every registrar. Medical educators are experienced GPs with additional educational expertise. They contribute to the registrar’s education program and may also be external clinical teaching visitors. Medical educators also support supervisor professional development. They will be able to provide guidance on the provision of supervision and teaching at the training site.
Medical educators usually work part time as they also work in general practice.
Cultural mentor
A cultural mentor is a member of the local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community who, together with a cultural educator, supports registrars to develop cultural competency by providing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural and health education, including cultural safety training.
A cultural mentor is a valuable resource for all registrars training in a particular area, helping them connect with the local community. Registrars can go to their cultural mentor for information and advice on local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander history, cultural beliefs, values and practices.
If a registrar is placed in an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health training site, the cultural mentor will likely be involved in their in-practice orientation and will be available to assist registrars in their clinical practice.
Cultural mentors may provide additional and individualised cultural support to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander registrars who are navigating living and working on country that’s either their own or that of another Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander group.
Program support officer
A program support officer assists the regional team with communications, record keeping, reporting, event organisation and other administrative tasks relating to the training program
RACGP regional team
Regional director of training
A regional director of training (RDOT) provides high-level medical education leadership, including managing the regional and local medical educator teams, to ensure that the training program is delivered effectively in their region.
Liaison officer
The RACGP employs registrar liaison officers (RLOs), supervisor liaison officers (SLOs) and practice manager liaison officers (PMLOs) to provide confidential advice, information and support to registrars, supervisors and practice managers respectively. They meet regularly with the RACGP training team and advocate for their peers.
Cultural educator
A cultural educator is a member of the local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community. In some instances, a cultural educator will also work as a cultural mentor.
Cultural educators are responsible for the delivery of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health unit of the RACGP Curriculum and syllabus, in particular, cultural orientation, cultural awareness training, and supporting registrars to provide culturally appropriate, responsive and sensitive healthcare to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
They work closely with medical educators to support quality and holistic Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health and clinical practice training. They also work with cultural mentors to support registrars to develop cultural competency by providing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural and health education, including cultural safety training. If a registrar is placed in an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health training site, the cultural educator will also be available to offer any additional support and education that they may require throughout their placement.
Cultural educators may provide additional and individualised cultural support to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander registrars who are navigating living and working on country that’s either their own or that of another Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander group.
RACGP national team
The RACGP national team has oversight of the overall AGPT Program, providing high-level educational leadership and policy development. They may provide guidance and decision-making in particular circumstances, such as educational support and remediation, application for extended leave and managing adverse events.
Figure 1. The journey to RACGP Fellowship for registrars on the AGPT Program
