With the first round of enrolments for RACGP’s new Fellowship Support Program (FSP) now closed, I wanted to take the opportunity to provide an overview of the key aspects of the program, that all applicants and medical practices need to understand.
The Fellowship Support Program is an education and training program designed for non-Vocationally registered GPs working to obtain Fellowship of the RACGP (FRACGP).
The program was developed due to the Commonwealth Government funding for RACGPs Practice Experience Program (PEP) being discontinued from June 2023.
The FSP is made up of two components; Education and Training component and a post-education component.
The education and training will be delivered over two years and covers basic general practice training (one term), core general practice training (one term), and advanced general practice training (two terms).
Once completed, the GP can move into the program’s second component, post-education. This is where the GP will begin Fellowship examination attempts.
The practitioner is given a cycle of six terms to pass all components of exams, with a further six-month allowance for Fellowship to be awarded.
Online applications open twice a year and applicants must provide a letter of support from each practice where they intend to undertake the program.
If accepted, candidates will enrol and be issued with a Training Program Agreement, an application for an FSP provider number and an invoice for the first term of the program.
Due to the FSP being a self-funded program, the cost is significantly greater than the Practice Experience Program.
The total cost of the program for a participant with their own Supervisor will be $32,966.
For a participant with a remote supervisor (sourced by RACGP), the total cost is $42,966.
Both figures include the an annual RACGP membership of $483.
It is important to note that these costs will be offset largely by the doctor’s ability to access the A1 schedule of MBS rates, which is 20% higher than the A7 schedule.
Like PEP, the Doctor will continue to have access to these higher rates for the duration of the program and until obtaining Fellowship.
A complete breakdown of the costs can be viewed HERE -
The RACGP defines location eligibility as being in a Modified Monash Model (MMM) 2-7 location. Applications for MMM1 locations may be accepted, under RACGP approved extenuating or unforeseen circumstances.
The information regarding 19AB requirements are less clear. Distribution Priority Areas (DPAs) that are in MMM2-7 locations are certainly eligible, but there are still questions regarding locations with a valid 19AB replacement exemption.
The RACGP states that if you are restricted by 19AB, you must continue to satisfy this restriction whilst on the program.
You can use the Health Workforce Locator to search for suitable locations. For accurate results, select the MMM (2019) and DPA for GPs boxes.
The practice you wish to work at whilst completing FSP must be accredited against two sets of standards.
First, the practice should be accredited against RACGP Standards for General practice (5th edition).
Second, the practice must also be accredited against RACGP Standards for General Practice Training.
If the practice is accredited for the first but not the second set of standards, RACGP will support your practice to meet these standards and become accredited.
The FSP was introduced with supervision being a core element of the program, regardless of the GPs level/type of registration.
The participant will be asked to nominate an accredited supervisor at the time of application. If the participant is unable to nominate a supervisor, RACGP will source a remote supervisor (at the increased program cost).
The supervisors’ role during the program will be to provide the GP with educational, and clinical supervision, and to facilitate workplace-based assessments (WBAs).
Educational supervision will be comprised of 1 hour of in-practice education per fortnight during term 1 and 2, and 1 hour per month in term 3 and term 4
An ‘approved supervisor’ is a practitioner with FRACGP or FACRRM, who is accredited to train AGPT Registrars. If the practitioner has FRACGP but is not accredited through AGPT, the RACGP will work with them to obtain this during the first year of the program.
RACGP have confirmed that nominated supervisors will be paid a financial incentive for educational supervision, which will be validated and paid monthly in arrears by RACGP.
Additionally, participants will be allocated to a medical educator and a program training coordinator (PTC). Participants will meet with these support officers periodically to discuss progress, assessments (WBAs), and exam preparation.
The first cohort will commence training on January 23rd 2023. There will continue to be two intakes per year thereafter.
Within the first two weeks of the program, candidates will participate in an Early Assessment for Safety and Learning (EASL), a multiple-choice questionnaire that will inform your learning. This will be followed by a series of workplace-based assessments (WBA) during the program.
The WBA’s will be conducted by your supervisor and medical educator and will include; mini clinical examinations, direct observations, clinical case analysis, patient and colleague feedback, and supervisor reports.
The key differences between RACGPs PEP and the new FSP, are:
Additional differences in FSP are exam support at no additional cost and recognition of prior learning (RPLE) applications, which can be applied for after 6 months of the program and may reduce your program length.
The Fellowship Support Program, AGPT, RVTS and the ACRRM Independent Pathway (AiP) are all excellent Section 3GA approved training programs that provide doctors access to A1 rates.
The main benefits of the FSP are:
This may be one of the biggest benefits, allowing doctors to work in MMM2 – 7 locations, providing they satisfy their 19AB requirements. RVTS and ACRRM Independent Pathway requires MMM4+ locations.
Unlike AGPT, you can remain in one location for the duration of your training.
Unlike AGPT, the FSP accepts applications from temporary residents, as well as permanent residents and citizens.
After only one set of enrolments, FSP has quickly established itself as a key Section 3GA training program.
The introduction of mandatory supervisors, along with the allocation of Medical Educators and PTC’s has formed a foundation for a strong and supportive program. The less restrictive eligibility criteria has also proved to be an excellent option for non-VR doctors.
We expect to see the program develop further over the first few intakes and will be sure to stay up to date with the programs latest developments.
DXC Medical specialises in supporting non-VR doctors and practices in MMM2-7 locations. Every doctor and practice requirements are unique. The DXC team are happy to arrange a convenient time to discuss your specific needs with you.
For more information on anything covered in this blog, please contact:
Shayla Owusu
shayla.owusu@dxcmedical.com.au
To view the latest RACGP FSP GP Jobs listed with DXC Medical, please click HERE
Health Workforce Locator - https://www.health.gov.au/resources/apps-and-tools/health-workforce-locator
RACGP Standards (5th edition) - https://www.racgp.org.au/running-a-practice/practice-standards/standards-5th-edition
RACGP Standards for Training - https://www.racgp.org.au/education/education-providers/regional-training/standards-for-general-practice
DXC Jobs - https://www.dxcmedical.com.au/
Dr Asiri Gamage and Dr Nisal Fernando share a lot. As doctors who met when completing their medical training in Sri Lanka, they’ve gone on to forge parallel careers while also starting a family together, as proud parents to a seven-year-old daughter and two-year-old son.
Dr Aruni De Silva has spent her career pursuing excellence in family medicine. Originally from Colombo, Sri Lanka, Aruni completed her undergraduate studies in 2003, and then chose to specialise in family medicine, completing extensive training in Sri Lanka to achieve her qualifications. She went on to work as a family medicine specialist and senior lecturer, sharing her impeccable knowledge with others.
