General Practice Australia Program
Program Inclusions The General Practice Australia Program includes: Significant Educational Support Comprehensive orientation to Australian medical practice Fellowship examination preparation One-one support with IME's academic faculty Group Tutorials & Training Workshops Program Content The General Practice Australia Program provides ongoing education and support for the first 4 years of an IMGs introduction to general practice in Australia, or until they obtain Specialist General Practice registration. The Program enables IMGs to build their medical knowledge and experience, develop competence and familiarity with the Australian healthcare system, legislation and professional practice, and safely practice medicine. Once settled into their new role, IMGs will begin their preparation for their RACGP Fellowship. To prepare IMGs for success in their Fellowship exams, IME provides one-one support from IME’s academic faculty, group tutorials and training workshops. The Program includes access to the following courses: Essentials for Working as a Doctor in Australia (GP100) GP100 provides the groundwork for understanding all elements of the process of working in the Australian health care sector, discussing common challenges that are faced including employment hurdles, regulatory challenges, and the difficulties of the AMC Examination. Importantly, the course sets out strategies for overcoming these barriers and provides the IMG with guidance and a framework to navigate these challenges. The Essentials for Working as a Doctor in Australia (GP100) Course is prepared and delivered by Consultant-Level (Senior Medical Officer) doctors of IME's general practice division. These doctors are Australian-trained specialist medical practitioners with a minimum of 10-years clinical experience in the Australian health sector. This course consists of 3 Online Modules and provides the groundwork for understanding all elements of the process of working in the Australian health care sector, discusses common challenges that are faced including employment hurdles, regulatory challenges, and the difficulties of the AMC Examination. Essentials for Orientation to Australian Medical Practice Course (GP101) The Essentials for Orientation to Australian Medical Practice Course (GP101) is prepared and delivered by Consultant-Level (Senior Medical Officer) doctors of the IME's General Practice division. These doctors are Australian-trained specialist medical practitioners with a minimum of 10-years clinical experience in the Australian health sector. This course consists of 3 Online Modules and provides a structured and comprehensive orientation to the Australian healthcare system, Australian healthcare practice, relevant legislation and expected professional practice standards. Foundations of Australian General Practice (GP201) The Foundations of Australian General Practice Course subject teaches medical knowledge and skills for the RACGP AKT and KFP exams. The course works through the RACGP Fellowship syllabus via examination of disease processes, presentation, clinical examination, diagnosis, investigation, and management. Week Module Week 1 Module 1 - Integument / Dermatology Week 2-3 Module 2 - Head and Neck / ENT Week 4-6 Module 3 - Nervous System / Neurology Week 7-9 Module 4 - Musculoskeletal / Orthopaedics / Rheumatology Week 10-12 Module 5 - Circulatory System / Heart/ Vessels Week 13-15 Module 6 - Respiratory System / Lungs/ Chest Wall Week 16 - 18 Module 7 - Gastrointestinal System / Abdomen / Abdominal Wall Week 19-20 Module 8 - Breast / Endocrine System Week 21-23 Module 9 - Female Reproductive System / Obstetrics & Gynaecology Week 24-25 Module 10 - Haemopoietic System / Haematology / Blood / Blood Products Week 26-28 Module 11 - Renal System / Urology / Male Reproductive System Week 29 Module 12 - Mental State / Intellectual Function / Behavioural Problems Week 30 Module 13 - Major Psychiatric Disorders / Drugs & Alcohol Abuse Week 31 - 32 Module 14 - Normal & Abnormal Growth & Development / Child Health / Paediatrics Week 33-34 Module 15 - Nutrition / Metabolism Week 35 Module 16 - Infectious Diseases Week 36 Module 17 - Clinical Pharmacology Week 37 Module 18 - Clinical Oncology Week 38 Module 19 - Clinical Immunology Week 39-40 Module 20 - Critical Care / Anaesthesia / Emergency Medicine Week 41-42 Module 21 - General Practice / Public Health RACGP AKT Preparation Advanced Strategies Course (GP202) The RACGP AKT Preparation Advanced Strategies Course includes 10 full-length AKT Trial Exams (total of 1500 MCQ’s) combining a mixture of question types including: Single best answer Modified extended matching Based on knowledge built from foundation courses such as GP201, candidates will utilise problem-based learning strategies in the domains of: Adult Health -Medicine Adult Health – Surgery Women’s Health Child Health Mental Health Population Health & Ethics RACGP KFP Preparation Advanced Strategies Course (GP203) The RACGP KFP Preparation Advanced Strategies Course includes 10 full-length KFP Trial Exams (total of 260 Cases). Based on knowledge built from foundation courses such as GP201, candidates will utilise problem-based learning strategies in the domains of: Adult Health -Medicine Adult Health – Surgery Women’s Health Child Health Mental Health Population Health & Ethics These clinical cases are reasoned within the context of the Australian primary health care system and candidates are directed by the academic faculty to further reading material that will consolidate knowledge in these areas. By completing this course, candidates will gain knowledge in the areas of pathogenesis, clinical features, investigative findings, primary and differential diagnoses and management of disease. RACGP CCE Online Bridging Course (GP204) The overall objective of the RACGP CCE Online Bridging Course (GP204) is to provide GP Registrars with the complete clinical skills theory for the RACGP Fellowship Objective Clinical Competency Exam (CCE). This is achieved by completing the 40 comprehensive modules and clinical tutorials below. Week Module Week 1 Introduction to Medical History Taking Week 2 Clinical Communication Skills (1) - Core Communication Skills Week 3 Clinical Communication Skills (2) - History Taking Week 4 Clinical Communication Skills (2) - History Taking Week 5 Introduction to Physical Examination Week 6 Cardiovascular System (1) - History & Physical Examination Week 7 Cardiovascular System (2) - Diagnostic Formulation & Reasoning Week 8 Cardiovascular System (3) - Management / Counselling / Education Week 9 Cardiovascular System (4) - Paediatric Counselling Week 10 Respiratory System (1) - History & Physical Examination Week 11 Respiratory System (2) - Diagnostics Formulation & Reasoning Week 12 Respiratory System (3) - Management / Counselling / Education Week 13 Respiratory System (4) - Paediatric Considerations Week 14 Musculoskeletal System (1) - History & Physical Examination Week 15 Musculoskeletal System (2) - Diagnostics Formulation & Reasoning Week 16 Musculoskeletal System (3) - Management / Counselling / Education Week 17 Musculoskeletal System (4) - Paediatric Considerations Week 18 Nervous System (1) - History & Physical Examination Week 19 Nervous System (2) - Diagnostics Formulation & Reasoning Week 20 Nervous System (3) - Management / Counselling / Education Week 21 Nervous System (4) - Paediatric Considerations Week 22 Gastrointestinal System (1) - History & Physical Examination Week 23 Gastrointestinal System (2) - Diagnostics Formulation & Reasoning Week 24 Gastrointestinal System (3) - Management / Counselling / Education Week 25 Gastrointestinal System (4) - Paediatric Considerations Week 26 Surgery (1) - Core Topics in Plastic, Vascular & Thoracic Surgery Week 27 Surgery (2) - Core Topics in General, Intestinal & HPB Surgery Week 28 Surgery (3) - Core Topics in Breast & Endocrine Surgery Week 29 Urinary System Week 30 Endocrine System Week 31 Haematology System Week 32 Eyes / Ears / Nose / Throat Week 33 Women's Health (1) - History & Physical Examination Week 34 Women's Health (2) - Diagnostics Formulation & Reasoning Week 35 Women's Health (3) - Management / Counselling / Education Week 36 Women's Health (4) - Pregnancy Care Week 37 Mental Health (1) - History Taking Week 38 Mental Health (2) - Mental State Examination Week 39 Mental Health (3) - Diagnostics Formulation & Reasoning Week 40 Mental Health (4) - Management / Counselling / Education RACGP CCE Preparation Advanced Strategies Course (GP205) The RACGP CCE Preparation Advanced Strategies Course (GP205) includes 10 individual CCE exams, each with CCE case scenarios that includes assessment scoring criteria and model answers. The course uses these CCE case-based scenarios to teach core principles, strategies and techniques for approaching the clinical presentation. Scenarios are written in accordance with the core competencies as stated by the RACGP and are outlined below: Communication and Rapport – This covers how candidates go about obtaining a patient’s history, explaining the problem and management, and negotiating agreement on the management plan. Candidates should be patient-centred, empathic and show that they understand the patient’s concerns, ideas and expectations. The way the candidates ask questions makes a difference. History taking – This is not random information gathering, but should be relevant and organised. It reveals clinical thinking. Candidates should learn to apply Murtagh’s safe diagnostic strategy: probability diagnosis, serious disorders, pitfalls, masquerades, and look for the hidden agenda. Physical Examination – Candidates should be systematic and logical, and should also consider the patient’s comfort, and explain what they are doing, and communicate findings (positive and significant negative findings) to the examiner as they examine. Investigations – These should be appropriate to the stage of presentation. Candidates should remember to consider office/surgery tests, and select relevant, cost-effective investigations in an appropriate sequence, displaying consideration for the safety and comfort of the patient. More is not better: consider what is most useful to discriminate between differential diagnoses. Will the result of this investigation change your management? Diagnosis – Candidates may be asked to give a diagnosis, list differential diagnosis, or for a problem definition list. Remember the probability diagnosis and learn to prioritise any list. Management – Candidates should determine whether they are being asked only for the initial management. If not, they should consider short-term and long-term management and patient support. Explaining the problem is more than using simple language and it is important to organise and prioritise information in order to avoid overwhelming the patient. Check the patient’s understanding and response to a proposed management plan and remember to safety-net. RACGP CCE Live Workshop Preparation (GP206) The RACGP Live Workshop is comprised of ten complete and representative CCE trial exams each with CCE case scenarios that includes assessment scoring criteria and model answers. The course uses these CCE case-based scenarios to teach core principles, strategies and techniques for approaching the clinical presentations seen in the Fellowship CCE. The course is run as a completely representative trial RACGP Fellowship CCE featuring 14 stations each of either 8 or 19 minutes duration. The stations are designed to reflect the typical difficulty and spectrum of presentations seen in the real exam. Practice Support The Institute of Medical Education supports eligible Accredited Australian Medical Practices to provide education and support for International Medical Graduates transitioning and working in Australia. Accessing Online Modules Students are required to complete the following modules through the IME Online Learning Management System student portal. This Online LMS also provides students with various tools and advanced e-learning strategies to facilitate their learning. IMGs can access the above courses anytime, anywhere. Entry requirements In order to be eligible for the General Practice Australia Program, IMGs must: Meet the Medical Board of Australia Registration Standards to obtain Limited or Provisional Registration Successfully completed the Australian Medical Council (AMC) CAT MCQ Examination* Hold a Primary Medical Degree Have completed a 12-month Internship Have the ability to obtain the legal right to work in Australia * IMGs who have not yet completed the AMC MCQ CAT Examinations can consider the AMC MCQ Exam Preparation Program (IMG300) which helps prepare IMGs for success in this examination. How to apply To register your interest as an International Medical Graduate enter your details on the form below with the Australia General Practice Program. Register Your Interest Exit examination IMGs will continue this program for a minimum of 4 years or until they obtain their RACGP Fellowship and Specialist registration. Once Specialist registration has been obtained, IMGs will be considered General Practice Specialists and have more freedom to practice and live in Australia. Faculty The General Practice Australia Program is designed by Specialist Doctors and Senior Lecturers from leading Australian University Medical Schools and Teaching Hospitals. Minimum qualification standards include MBBS with specialist qualification and registration with the Australian Health Practitioners Regulation Agency (AHPRA). All courses are delivered by experienced lecturers with proven success in the medical space. Practice Interest To register your interest as a Practice to be involved with the General Practice Australia Program please enter your details on the below form. Register Your Interest
