Training

Becoming a General Physician

Principles of Advanced Training in General Medicine

1. Regulation of Training

Regulation of training is the responsibility of the RACP but IMSANZ recommends the following:

Minimum 12 months term in general medical units

To provide basic exposure to the broad approach that is essential for consultant general medicine. It is considered that advanced training in general medicine is more than the sum of periods of training in diverse sub-specialty areas. Many sub-specialty units offer a "general" approach and also have sufficient breadth of medical problems to provide the diversity required for advanced training in general medicine, but this is not always the case. It is understood that trainees have to seek this element of advanced within particular units and possibly within particular hospitals. The SAC will decide whether or not attachments to some sub-specialty units fulfil this criterion.

Maximum 18 months in general medical units

It is considered inappropriate for advanced trainees in general medicine to spend more than half of the advanced training period in general units being exclusively supervised by "undifferentiated" general consultant physicians. The SAC may determine whether or not the breadth of the "casemix" and the sub-specialty interest of a general unit would mean that a particular attachment would be regarded as "differentiated" rather than "undifferentiated".

Minimum two terms of at least six months in different sub-specialty units

Trainee general physicians have a requirement for some depth, as well as breadth. Many consultant general physicians will develop, either by the end of advanced training or subsequently, particular expertise in one or two sub-specialty areas. It is envisaged that advanced trainees in general medicine will, in the future, be able to compete for sub-specialty positions, partly because of workforce trends and partly because of an increasing acceptability of a requirement for general, as well as sub-specialty, training. SAC representatives and state councillors of IMSANZ play a role in advising the SAC and trainees about potentially suitable programmes.

Three annual reports to be submitted at a standard of acceptability for publication in refereed journals

The SAC must be satisfied that advanced trainees in general medicine are capable of collecting and analysing data, critically reviewing published information and synthesising and expressing conclusions. Such documentation may included case reports, with a detailed literature review, a report of research undertaken or a report of a presentation to a scientific meeting. Reports are submitted for each of the three years of advanced training. The same reports should also be submitted to a journal for publication or be suitable for presentation at the RACP or IMSANZ or other scientific meeting. This requirement provides the SAC with an objective assessment of the trainee’s capacities in these areas.

Non-metropolitan rotations during training

Although such attachments are highly encouraged, it is recognised that there may be difficulties for some trainees, either for personal reasons or because of unavailability of suitable positions. Many trainees have had such attachments during the period of basic training.

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Awards & Scholarhips

There are currently four IMSANZ awards/scholarships open to Advanced Trainees. See Resources > Awards & Scholarships.