AGPT registrar training handbook

Training program requirements

General practice training

        1. General practice training

Last revised: 16 Feb 2024

General practice training

General practice placements begin in the second year of training (GPT1). You must complete three general practice training terms (18 months FTE) as part of your core vocational training requirements. Generally, placement is for at least one term, and up to two terms (26–52 calendar weeks).

During GPT1, 2, 3 and your extended skills training term, you must have exposure to a diverse range of patient populations and presentations. We also expect you to have exposure to at least two different supervisors and two different business models. This will prepare you for working across the breadth of Australian general practice. You should consider this when planning for your general practice training terms.

In most cases, these requirements for diversity of practice can be achieved by training in more than one practice. Your program team can give you more information and support for your specific circumstances and region.

Full-time training is defined as at least 38 hours over a minimum of four days per week. A minimum of 27 hours must be in face-to-face, rostered, patient consultation time undertaking general practice activities. Work periods of less than three consecutive hours, or of less than 4 calendar weeks in any one practice will not be considered. Hours worked beyond this fulltime definition will not be considered.

Part-time training is defined as at least 14.5 hours over a minimum of two days per week, of which at least 10.5 hours is face-to-face, rostered, patient consultation time, undertaking general practice activities. Work periods of less than three consecutive hours, or of less than 4 calendar weeks in any one practice will not be considered.

For more information about the general practice training term placement process and what to expect while you’re on placement in a community general practice, refer to General practice training terms.

ADF registrars’ general practice training

We recognise that ADF registrars have a unique training experience. They must adhere to two training schedules, standards and policies amidst deployments and transfers by the ADF while meeting the requirements of the AGPT program and for Fellowship.

We’ve made the following allowances during general practice training to ensure you, as an ADF registrar, can complete your training program and requirements for Fellowship.

TIP

If you are an ADF registrar, check out our companion guide for information tailored to your circumstances: Australian Defence Force guide.

Working in community general practice

ADF registrars must undertake GPT1 and GPT2 (12 months sequentially in total) in community (or civilian) general practice. This will ensure you gain experience in the full depth and breadth of general practice.
During these two terms, you may take up to a maximum of four weeks to attend accredited clinical military courses. To limit interruptions to your practice and training, we recommend you undertake no more than one accredited clinical military course of up to two weeks per six-month term.

Working on ADF bases

As an ADF registrar, you will often practice in an ADF base, otherwise known as a special training environment (STE). STEs don’t meet accreditation standards for comprehensive general practice training. Therefore, you can only undertake GPT3 and your extended skills training in an STE. You can choose to do both of these or just one in an STE.

Each STE must be approved by the relevant censor before you start training there.

Deployments during general practice training

From time to time, an ADF registrar may be deployed and removed from their usual training site for a period of their general practice training term. When this occurs, only deployments or exercises within Australia that meet the requirements for accreditation as a training post (refer to the RACGP Standards for general practice training) will be recognised as general practice training time.

You should apply to the relevant censor for approval of a deployment before the deployment begins. If seeking approval prior to deployment isn’t possible, you can discuss retrospective approval with the censor. However, please note that, once the training term is completed, retrospective approval cannot be given. Refer to the GP Registrars in the ADF webpage for more information.

If you wish to use deployment as extended skills training, please refer to Extended skills training for ADF registrars.
 

Advertising