Procedural Training
Thirty new GP Procedural Training Posts funded by NSW Health, in specialist areas of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Anaesthetics, Surgery, Emergency Medicine and Mental Health became operational in rural areas of NSW in January 2004 and continue in Tamworth and Armidale in this region (not all available at both sites).
These posts are targeted towards the following 5 groups of doctors:
- Registrars enrolled in vocational General Practice training.
- Non-procedural rural GPs who intend to work in rural NSW
- Rural GPs who wish to re-train in a different procedural area or improve skills in an existing rural NSW area.
- Metropolitan based Registrars/vocationally registered General Practitoners proposing to take up rural Practice.
- Permanent Resident Overseas Trained Doctors filling Area of Need Positions with the written consent of their employer
The aim of these posts is to provide specialist training to GPs or Registrars who are working in rural NSW areas already or who aim to work in a rural NSW area after their training. The training posts are flexible and allow part time options, to meet the needs of the Doctors who require the training.
The posts are accredited with the relevant colleges and training is consistent with the service needs of rural and remote communities.
NEATS is able to offer training in all 5 disciplines funded by the NSW Rural GP Procedural Training Program, as well as secondary supported posts after training when required.
Educational Intergration
There are third, fourth and fifth year Medical Students attached to University Department of Rural Health full time for the whole year and there are opportunities for Registrars to interact with them as both peers and teachers, especially at a Practice level during the Medical Student’s rural GP rotations.
Many GP Practices in the region have been taking Medical Students from a variety of universities for a number of years. Interaction is encouraged between Supervisors, Registrars and Students on an ad hoc basis.
Strategies to foster integration of vocational training and Continuing Professional Development (CPD) have been developed and implemented.
Pre-vocational Experience
The Pre-Vocational General Practice Placement Program (PGPPP) provides prevocational postgraduates year 2-3 (PGY2-3) doctors with a 13 week term in a rural General Practice. (A post has been established at Bingara) PGPPP provides junior Doctors with opportunities to:
- Consult with patients in rural General Practice and make autonomous decisions (prescribing medication, making referrals, and ordering pathology and radiology services) with the support of an experienced GP Supervisor.
- Enjoy a high quality learning experience – both clinical and social – in a setting other than a major teaching hospital.
- Experience rural General Practice in a positive and supportive environment.
- Improve decision making and basic procedural skills.
- Make better informed career decisions.
NOTE: The PGPPP is not active in NSW at present.
Exit Interviews
As one of the methods NEATS uses to 'quality assure' our organisation NEATS has implemented a procedure whereby anyone leaving the organisation, whether they be NEATS Registrars, Urban rotating Registrars, Supervisors, Medical Educators, Board Members or staff, will be interviewed.
NEATS values the transperancy of this process therefor has appointed an independant counsultant for the express purpose of performing these interviews.