Australian Medical Association

The theme for the 2012 AMACDT Trainee Forum was ‘Training pathways for the future’ and was held in Sydney on 3 March 2012.

The Agenda included expanding vocational training capacity, teaching and research opportunities for trainees, and global health training.

We encourage you to use the Forum Summary and Outcomes as an advocacy tool.

The Report of Findings for the 2010 AMA Specialist Trainee Survey (STS) were released on 2 October 2011.  While the STS has been several years in the making, the AMA hopes the results of the survey will provide medical colleges with important trainee feedback about key training issues. 

The STS revealed that colleges are performing well in many areas of vocational training, including transparency of selection processes; alignment of clinical experience with training objectives; access to supervision; and adherence to safe hours guidelines. It identified, however, several areas of concern.

RANZCR’s training program is being assessed by the Australian Medical Council (AMC). The review is part of the AMC’s ongoing program of external assessment and accreditation of specialist medical education and training. The AMA has prepared a submission on RANZCR’s training program to the AMC, based on trainee input.

Introduction

The following is an excerpt from the college website.

The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RANZCOG) is dedicated to maintaining the highest possible standards in obstetrics and gynaecology in Australia and New Zealand. The primary role of the RANZCOG is to train and accredit doctors throughout Australia and New Zealand in the specialties of obstetrics and gynaecology so that they are capable - professionally and psychologically - of providing the highest quality health care for women.

Introduction

The Australian and New Zealand College of Anaesthetists' function is to cultivate and maintain the highest principles and standards in the training, practice and ethics of anaesthesia, intensive care, pain medicine and related sciences. The College is directly responsible for the assessment and qualifications of anaesthetists and the standards of anaesthesia practice in Australia and New Zealand. In addition, the College has had a significant role in the advancement of anaesthesia in South East Asia and Pacific Island countries.

Introduction

The following is an excerpt from the college website.

The RACP is responsible for the education, training and continuing professional development of consultant physicians and paediatricians in 25 specialty areas, and consultants and specialists in public health, rehabilitation and occupational medicine. We also provide training in palliative medicine, addiction medicine and sexual health medicine for doctors from a variety of backgrounds.

Introduction

The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists (RANZCP) is the principal organisation representing the medical specialty of psychiatry in Australia and New Zealand and has responsibility for training, examining and awarding the qualification of Fellowship of the College to medical practitioners.

There are currently 2600 Fellows of the College who account for approximately 85 per cent of all practicing psychiatrists in Australia and over 50 per cent of psychiatrists in New Zealand.

The vision of the College is:

Australian General Practice Training (AGPT) program is delivered throughout Australia by 21 regional training providers funded and accredited by General Practice Education and Training Ltd (GPET). The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners and the Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine award Fellowships and conduct the examinations and assessments for vocational recognition.

GPET Ltd is responsible for management of the training program and for selection of registrars (600 per year at present) at a national level.

The following comparison of some of the training requirements, conditions and costs has been prepared by the Workplace Policy Department of the Australian Medical Association to assist doctors choosing their vocational pathway in making their decision. The information included was gathered from public sources such as websites, annual reports and college newsletters. Each college then had the opportunity to amend and expand on the information that had been collated.