The last twelve months have been a time of significant change for all involved in GP training - supervisors, practice staff, registrars, and stakeholders, and GP Synergy staff.
The tender outcome on 6 October 2015 left little time to transition from six separate Regional Training Providers (RTP) to one. Regional forums were held with staff, supervisors, practice staff and other key stakeholders within each RTP across NSW and the ACT to discuss the immediate changes.
More than 80 new staff joined GP Synergy in the first three months of 2016. A large percentage came from outgoing RTPs, and two thirds of GP Synergy’s medical education workforce are experienced educators originating from prior RTPs.
There is no doubt that this is the biggest change in medical training since 2001/2002 when the program was divested from General Practice Education Australia (GPEA), a subsidiary of the Royal Australian College of General Practice (RACGP), to the newly formed regional training provider network.
To ensure responsive education delivery that is targeted towards meeting the needs of the local community, we have maintained a regional focus across NSW and the ACT.
We have retained a regionalised training program aligned with Primary Health Network boundaries.
Within seven subregions, we have commissioned local offices (Ballina, Armidale, Moree, Newcastle, Dubbo, Wollongong, Chippendale, Newcastle, Liverpool and Wagga Wagga).
The number of weeks in a hospital term is determined by the hospital and the Health Education Institute (HETI). Each regional training organisation is bound to upload the NTCER, a document that historically prescribes part-time in-practice teaching requirements for registrars which is exactly half that of a full-time term. Likewise, teaching payments reflect this requirement.
Supervisors and registrars do have a voice in the ongoing development and delivery of GP training. Each of the seven subregions has its own regional advisory council that meets to consider the health workforce and educational needs of their respective region. These councils include the subregion’s Supervisor Liaison Officer and Registrar Liaison Officer amongst other relevant peak bodies.
At the mid-year North Coast Regional Advisory Council meeting, a recommendation was made to re-classify ‘Group C’ – an area around Tweed Heads. All Advisory Council recommendations undergo a process of due diligence and scenario testing before they are adopted.
During 2016 we have planned for a more targeted professional development program to commence in 2017. The importance of this support, amongst other developments, is reflected in our research and is resulting in some exciting new developments.
Supervisor professional development will remain non-mandatory, albeit a principle that supervisors do engage professional development under contracting arrangements.
Attendance at any module of GP Synergy’s professional development program commencing in 2017 is encouraged and will be fully paid, in addition to travel and accommodation subsidies where required. There is no limit to the number of education sessions that may be attended. However, support is limited to GP Synergy’s professional development suite, including foundation and advanced education modules.
Increasingly, supervisor professional development will be delivered in both face-to-face and online delivery formats to accommodate individual circumstances and the preferences of the supervisor.
GP Synergy has partnered with MedCast to provide supervisors and registrars with “Support GPT”, an online education resource that supports in-practice teaching and is integrated with GP Synergy’s education program. Again, this resource is offered, not mandatory.
Direct phone lines have been established in all regional offices, including direct extensions to dedicated practice and registrar support staff. This will assist practices and registrars to reach the right person in the fastest possible way.
GP Synergy’s online training management system GPRime is currently undergoing useability and user acceptance testing. A program is in place for its redevelopment that will result in improved useability. Supervisor and registrar interfaces have been prioritised.
These are just some of the enhancements to be rolled out in 2017. In addition, we will continue to develop and deliver locally informed education and to use evidence based population health and workforce data. We continue to consult with all our stakeholders and build on the legacy of our former RTPs to continually improve health outcomes for our local communities.
