Training

Becoming a General Physician

Principles of Advanced Training in General Medicine

2. Other Recommendations

The component of "ambulatory" practice experience

Given the trend for shorter bed-stays, for less invasive procedures which are now suitable for ambulatory patients and the fact that some sub-specialities (eg endocrinology, rheumatology) have minimal inpatient components, trainees are asked to document the ambulatory component of their advanced training terms. Because of varying opportunities for this, a minimum component of training in ambulatory care is not specified. Trainees will be asked about the estimated amount of ambulatory experience when seeking prospective approval for the years of advanced training. The SAC will determine whether or not ambulatory experience is deesmed adequate from trainees’ records and from supervisors’ comments.

Learning and application of general physician academic skills

It is considered that general physicians should have some understanding of those academic skills which are appropriate for general medical practice including understanding of the principles of evidence-based medicine, clinical epidemiology, data retrieval and analysis etc. These principles will be evident in the annual reports submitted by advanced trainees, but they will also be encouraged to undertake periods of either formal or less-formal research during their training years. In approving programmes, the SAC will take this aspect of content into account and mentors will also encourage this. Current requirements specify that not more than two years of advanced training should be spent exclusively in research programmes, but individual cases will be considered on their merits.

Documentation of teaching experiences

Given the frequent undergraduate and postgraduate teaching undertaken by consultant general physicians, trainees will be asked to estimate their opportunities for teaching when seeking approval for each year of training.

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Awards & Scholarhips

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