The JCCA is no longer considering applications for RPL or Return to Work programs. The following information is historical only.
Recognition of prior learning
It is possible that the Joint Consultative Committee on Anaesthesia (JCCA) can consider prior training towards the issue of a statement of equivalence to its Curriculum Statement for General Practitioner Anaesthesia but this is not guaranteed. Each applicant’s case is treated individually with consideration being given to the original training and its format, assessment reports, evidence of intention to enter rural general practice training and referee reports provided. The Recognition of prior learning policy and application form can be downloaded below.
The JCCA advises that the issue that the issue of a statement of equivalence of training is related to the curriculum training only and is not connected with whether a GP can practise as a GP providing anaesthesia services in a rural area in the future. This is not the JCCA's decision and requires credentialing by a hospital credentialing committee.
Information from the JCCA on finalisation of assessments for equivalence and recognition of prior learning. Submissions close on 31 December 2022.
As most would now know, the Joint Consultative Committee on Anaesthesia (JCCA) is to be superseded by the Diploma of Rural Generalist Anaesthesia (DRGA) from 2023. Grandparenting in to the DRGA will be available and those with current JCCA endorsement are likely to be to be accepted.
Some practising GP Anaesthetists have not been through the JCCA training but are nonetheless highly skilled from alternate training pathways. The JCCA has previously accepted a number of these doctors as having equivalence and they have been awarded a JCCA statement of equivalence. The criteria to gain this Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) are –
- Fellowship, or current involvement in training, with the RACGP and/or ACRRM
- Demonstration of suitable basic training – 12 months Full-time equivalent at least (including successful completion of a clinical examination)
- Ongoing anaesthetic practice (including current breadth of practice, eg paediatrics, epidurals, obstetrics)
The JCCA and the DRGA are also explicitly set up to support rural anaesthesia practice and demonstrated commitment to this is essential for a statement of equivalence.
If there are GP Anaesthetists who are currently without formal JCCA recognition but who are considering applying to the JCCA – as a step towards grandparenting in to the DRGA – then time is fast running out.
The JCCA will cease to accept further applications for consideration after 31 December 2022. For those who want to apply now, success will depend on fulfilling the criteria above. For example, for those without successful completion of a clinical examination, the JCCA will likely not be able to facilitate participation in a JCCA exam this close to the DRGA commencing. Similarly, you must be a recognised Fellow of a GP college or currently in general practice training.
The DRGA will have its own RPL process for those who are unable to meet JCCA requirements in the above timeframe.
From the Joint Consultative Committee on Anaesthesia (JCCA) re applications for grandparenting to the DRGA
ANZCA has now opened applications for grandparenting to the DRGA. The JCCA notes that a copy of the JCCA letter of satisfactory completion of training/ statement of equivalence is a part of that application. It is recognised that some rural GP anaesthetists were issued with this documentation many years ago and prior to the information being routinely digitised. As such, some JCCA recipients may no longer have a copy of their original letter and some old letters from the JCCA may not have been added to digital files and are now not readily accessible.
The JCCA and the Tripartite DRGA committee have recognised this as a potential issue. To assist in preventing delays or confusion, the JCCA is comailing a list of JCCA recipients since 1996 to be provided to the DRGA committee for cross-referencing as required. This list is anticipated to be complete by the end of September, 2022. To conform with Privacy legislation, GPs will be emailed beforehand and given the opportunity to advise if they do not wish their details to be given to the DRGA.
This process is to support JCCA recipients where time and old analogue processes may have created gaps in documentation. This list is not a replacement or alternative to the provision of any requested documents that applicants have in their possession. The JCCA are keen to assist where there are problems with documentary records; similarly the DRGA are aware of the risk for applicants and both are working together to support applicants.
General practitioners providing anaesthesia services to practice after they have been away from anaesthesia practise
It is the JCCA’s policy that a return to work program must be completed where a general practitioner providing anaesthesia services has had time out of Anaesthesia practice. As there is a large degree of individual variation in the impact of factors involved return to practice programs must be tailored to individual needs. The overall aim is to ensure that the general practitioner providing anaesthesia services provides safe and up–to–date care.