Who's who in training

Your RACGP training team 

As a new registrar, you’ll be supported from the time you enter the AGPT program through to Fellowship.
Your RACGP training team includes 

• a training coordinator (TC) 
• a medical educator (ME)
• a cultural mentor 
• an administrator

Your local RACGP training team is supported by regional and national RACGP services and teams.

Training coordinator  

You’ll be allocated a TC when you begin training. They’re a key contact and the first port of call for training-related queries, (eg administrative tasks, requirements for training progression, etc.).  TCs work closely with the local medical education team.  

Medical educator  

MEs are experienced GPs with educational and practical knowledge in the general practice environment. They may also be external clinical teaching visitors or supervisors within a practice. They’ll be able to help you with training advice and guidance as well as more clinically-focused queries, such as details of the RACGP Curriculum and syllabus, and experience working as a GP.

At the beginning of training, you’ll be allocated an ME who will mentor, guide and support you in your education and learning. MEs usually work part time as they also work in general practice, so if you need urgent assistance from an ME and yours isn’t available, contact your TC who will put you in touch with an available ME. Your local TC and ME are listed in your profile in the Training Management System (TMS).

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.  

You can go to your cultural mentor for information and advice on local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander history, cultural beliefs, values and practices. They can help you learn about appropriate communication and body language to use in general practice with patients who identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander. 

If you’re placed in an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health training site, the cultural mentor will likely be involved in your in-practice orientation and will be available to assist you in your 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.

Supervisor/Supervisory team 

Supervisors are integral to GP training and for each general practice placement you’ll be assigned a supervisor. As part of an apprenticeship model, a GP supervisor, as an experienced GP, is a professional role model, helping to lay the foundation for a registrar’s lifelong learning, professionalism and high-quality patient care.  

Supervisors provide advice and support, one-on-one teaching, supervision, feedback and assessment. In rural areas, a supervisor provides local information and support to the registrar and their family. Supervisors contribute to team-based learning in the practice setting, which will include other GPs and practice staff.