AMA takes up RANZCP trainee concerns
The AMA has been contacted by psychiatry trainees from across the country who have expressed significant concern about the very low pass rates for the first two cohorts of trainees sitting exams under the competency based training program introduced by the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists (RANZCP) in 2012. In this regard, the most recent Modified Essay Question (MEQ) Written Exam pass rate in August was 23 percent.
AMA Vice President, Dr Stephen Parnis, has written to the College expressing concern, highlighting that the low pass rates appear to warrant further consideration and potential remedial action. With any major overhaul of a training program, the AMA believes that it is very important for colleges to be sensitive to emerging issues and seek to address them as a matter of urgency.
The AMA has asked the RANZCP for advice on the concerns that have been raised with by trainees and any action the College intends taking in response to these.
