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Volume 11, Issue 6, August 2007, ISBN 1832 620X
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ACRRM update: Evaluating the training experience of junior doctors |
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Anna Nichols, Yolanda Schweizer and Trish Johnston-Smith, Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine
 The Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine recently undertook the review of outcomes of the Prevocational General Practice Placements Program (PGPPP), on behalf of the programs National Advisory Committee. The PGPPP offers the opportunity for junior doctors to undertake a period of training in a general and community practice in rural, regional and outer metropolitan settings. This program, funded by the Department of Health and Ageing is designed to strengthen Medicare and to enlarge the experience base of young doctors at a time when they are making important decisions about future training and careers.
The national evaluators contacted 328 junior doctors who have taken part in the PGPPP between January 2005 and June 2007. Background data about participants shows that the PGPPP is only part of a continuum of training in the community setting that includes clinical attachments for students through the Rural Clinical Schools (RCS) and experience gained through various scholarship programs.
Almost 50% of respondents had undertaken such an RCS term and close to 30% had held a rural scholarship of some type. It is evident that the experience gained on clinical placements does influence choice. Almost 70% of junior doctor respondents felt that the PGPPP experience confirmed their choice of vocational training pathway, citing their interest and enthusiasm for their chosen field, the options for attractive lifestyle and family life, job satisfaction and the flexibility and portability of career choices as the main determinants of choice.
The data indicate that the influence of a really positive and well-supported experience on future choices cannot be under-estimated. In addition, the data clearly demonstrate the degree to which a PGPPP term in rural practice reinforces the interest raised in the sector during the medical years and contributes to the uptake of Registrar Training in rural teaching practices. The data covers PGPPP outcomes managed by both ACRRM and the RACGP. The final report of outcomes is due in September 2007 and will appear on the websites <www.acrrm.org.au> and <www.racgp.org.au> of both organisations.
Anna Nichols
Prevocational Training Manager and Research and Evaluation Manager, ACRRM
E: a.nichols@acrrm.org.au
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