GP in Training Safety and Wellbeing Policy


Policy

1. Purpose

The purpose of this policy is to define the principles and responsibilities of the RACGP, Training Sites and Supervisors that protect the Safety and Wellbeing of GPiT when they are in an education and training environment.

2. Scope

2.1 This policy applies to:

    1. all GPiT enrolled in an RACGP-Approved Program,

    2. Training Sites and Supervisors, and

    3. RACGP Staff.

2.2 This policy is to be read in conjunction with the relevant GPiT handbooks and Staff training manuals.

    1. For a holistic understanding of the support the RACGP provides to registrars, this policy can be read in conjunction with the Registrar Support and Remediation Policy and GP in Training Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Policy.

2.3 This policy replaces the previous related regional training organisation policies and will come into effect on the start date of the first term of the RACGP-Approved Program in 2023. For the avoidance of doubt, to the extent that there is any inconsistency between the previous policy (or policies) and this policy, the terms of this policy apply.

3. General principles

3.1 The Safety and Wellbeing of GPiT is crucially important to their education and professional development.

    1. Although the RACGP is not the employer of GPiT, the organisation recognises it has a responsibility to promote the Safety and Wellbeing of GPiT and minimise risk factors as far as practicable while they are enrolled in an RACGP-Approved Program.

3.2 The RACGP has zero tolerance towards discrimination, racism, bullying and harassment.

3.3 All GPiT deserve to be treated with dignity and respect.

3.4 All GPiT have access to individualised training advice, mentoring and support.

3.5 All GPiT deserve culturally, emotionally and physically safe work environments.

4. Safety and Wellbeing of GPiT

4.1 The RACGP will:

    1. provide GPiT with information and training in areas of Safety that relate to general practice training,

    2. implement flexible training structures to facilitate a healthy work–life balance for GPiT while ensuring training quality is upheld and community needs are taken into consideration,

    3. provide systems and processes to appropriately resolve Safety and Wellbeing issues reported by GPiT, Training Sites or Supervisors,

    4. use feedback to refine the management of GPiT Safety and Wellbeing,

    5. provide training to Staff in workplace Safety and promotion of Wellbeing, including Cultural Safety, and

    6. promote education and training environments that foster a sense of Safety, engagement, and connectedness with peers, Supervisors and the RACGP.

4.2 For the AGPT Program and FSP, Training Sites and Supervisors must meet the the Accreditation standards for training sites and supervisors: Guide to implementation, in the areas of Safety and Wellbeing, including:

    1. providing a Safe and Supportive Training Environment for each and every GPiT,

    2. supporting GPiTs to communicate their personal and professional concerns,

    3. providing mentorship in all aspects of being a GPiT, and

    4. reporting to the RACGP concerns about the GPiT’s Wellbeing.

4.3 GPiT, RACGP Staff, Supervisors and Training Sites must identify and appropriately manage conflicts of interest (actual, potential or perceived). In some circumstances, this may include a declaration as detailed in the Conflicts of Interest Guidance.

    1. The RACGP will manage each declaration on a case-by-case basis.

5. Amendment of this policy

The Censor-in-Chief (CiC) may, without the consent of the RACGP Board, make Minor, Moderate and Consequential Amendments to this policy at any time. 

If the CiC makes amendments, they must advise the RACGP Board of those amendments as soon as practicable.

The RACGP Board may make amendments to this policy at any time.

6. Responsibilities

6.1  Censor-in-Chief

  1.  Approving Minor Amendments
  2. Approving Moderate Amendments
  3. Approving Consequential Amendments

6.2   GPiT

  1.    Identifying, managing and declaring Conflicts of Interest as soon as possible

6.3   RACGP Board

  1.  Approving Major Amendments

6.4   RACGP Staff

  1. Implementing the processes and structures in this policy to help manage GPiT Safety and Wellbeing
  2. Identifying, managing and declaring Conflicts of Interest as soon as possible

6.5   Training Sites and Supervisors

  1. Following this policy to help manage GPiT Safety and Wellbeing
  2. Identifying, managing and declaring Conflicts of Interest as soon as possible

7. Glossary

7.1 Consequential Amendment

An amendment which requires urgent implementation as a necessary result of an amendment to another policy or process.

7.2  Conflict of Interest

A situation in which it is reasonable to conclude that an individual’s or group of individuals’ personal interests’ directly conflict with the best interests of the GPiT or where individuals’ actions may be influenced by their personal interests rather than education and training outcomes. A Conflict of Interest includes, but is not limited to, when:
  1. close personal friends or family members are involved,
  2. an individual or their close friends or family members may make financial gain or gain some other form of advantage, and
  3. an individual is bound by prior agreements or allegiances to other individuals or agencies that require them to act in the interests of that person or agency or to take a particular position on an issue.

7.3 Cultural Safety

Cultural safety is determined by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander individuals, families and communities. Culturally safe practice is the delivery of safe, accessible and responsive healthcare free of racism through a health practitioner’s ongoing critical reflection about knowledge, skills, attitudes, practising behaviours and power differentials.

7.4 GP in Training (GPiT)

The medical practitioner enrolled in any RACGP-Approved Program before being admitted to Fellowship, of which there are two types:
  1. Registrars, who are currently enrolled in the
    1. Australian General Practice Training program,
    2. Fellowship Support Program, or
    3. Remote Vocational Training Scheme, and
  2. Participants, who are currently enrolled in the:
    1. Practice Experience Program – Standard Stream
    2. Practice Experience Program – Specialist Stream Partially Comparable, or
    3. Practice Experience Program – Specialist Stream Substantially Comparable.

7.5 Major Amendment

An amendment that materially changes the operation of the policy but is not otherwise a Minor or Moderate Amendment (ie a change to one major clause or policy review).

7.6 Minor Amendment

An amendment to style, to correct grammatical mistakes, change overall formatting, make updates that do not materially change meaning, or any other amendment, which in the opinion of the Censor-in-Chief, does not materially alter the operation of the policy.  

7.7 Moderate Amendment

An amendment that materially changes the operation of a policy by a limited amount (ie a change to one minor clause, or changes that have a limited impact on the outcome of the policy).

7.8 RACGP-Approved Program

An education or Training Program approved by the RACGP as a suitable pathway to Fellowship, including:
  1. Australian General Practice Training Program,
  2. Remote Vocational Training Scheme,
  3. Fellowship Support Program,
  4. Practice Experience Program – Standard Stream
  5. Practice Experience Program – Specialist Stream Partially Comparable, and
  6. Practice Experience Program – Specialist Stream Substantially Comparable.
These Training Programs are approved specified programs listed in Division 6 of the Health Insurance Regulations 2018.

7.9 RACGP Staff

Anyone who is an employee or contractor of the RACGP.

7.10 Safety

The condition of being protected from, or unlikely to cause, danger, risk or injury to self or others. Educational Safety is defined as a learning environment that values support, respectful communication, bidirectional feedback, reflection and the acquisition of new skills. It meets the learner’s current level of competency and learning needs and facilitates growth and learning.

7.11 Safe and Supportive Training Environment

Determined in the Accreditation standards for training sites and supervisors: Guide to implementation.

7.12 Supervisor

An accredited general practitioner who is both a clinician and role model who takes responsibility for the educational and training needs of the GPiT while in the practice.

7.13 Training Program

Either the:
  1. Australian General Practice Training (AGPT) program, or
  2. Fellowship Support Program (FSP).

7.14 Training Site

A health service accredited by the RACGP where the Registrar may undertake their general practice training. For AGPT Registrars, this excludes the mandatory hospital training time.

7.15 Wellbeing

The state of being comfortable, healthy or happy. Educational wellbeing is ensured when the registrar feels engaged, safe and supported in the learning environment.

 

8. Related documents, legislation and policies

9. Policy review and currency

This policy will be reviewed every three calendar years from the last approval date, or when there is a significant change in the intent of the policy. This policy remains valid and applicable notwithstanding if it is overdue for review.

 

 

Version

Date of effect

Amended by

5 13 December 2023 Education Policy and Guidance Coordinator
Amendment details
  • Replacement of Conflict of Interest form link with Conflicts of Interest Guidance in Clause 4.3 and Related documents, legislation and policies.
 
4 9 November 2023 Education Policy and Guidance Coordinator
Amendment details
  • Removal of duplicate wording
  • Update to glossary terms and responsibilites

3

02 May 2023

Education Policy and Guidance Coordinator

Amendment details

  • Update to title and link: GP in Training Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Policy
  • Update to title of form: Conflict of Interest Declaration form
  • Update to policy title referenced in section 8: Dispute, Reconsideration and Appeals Policy

2

20 March 2023

Education Policy and Guidance Lead

Amendment details

  • Update to clause 4.3 relating to conflict of interest
  • Update to responsibilities
  • Update to Conflict of Interest glossary term

1

The start date of the first term of the Training Program in 2023

Education Policy and Guidance Lead

Amendment details

  • The principles remark on the professional standards expected from RACGP Staff, GPiT and Training Organisations and highlights the stance the RACGP takes on bullying, harassment and discrimination.
  • The policy discusses the RACGP’s role in supporting the wellbeing of GPiT .
  • Flexible training options are outlined in an effort to support GPiT in maintaining a healthy work-life balance.
  • Conflicts of interest are covered.
  • The guidance document will contain information about how GPiTs can best support their own safety and wellbeing. 

Policy owner:

RACGP Board

Approved by:

RACGP Board

Approved on:

14/03/2023

Next review due:

03/2026

 

 

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