Interrupted Training

Normally physician training should be continuous. If a training program is interrupted for more than two years, the CPT may require a period of training additional to the minimum requirements of the program.

Leave from Training

In each year of training, standard statutory recurrent leave entitlements (holiday, conference etc.) can be taken without prolonging training. However, it is recognised that over a six-year training period, additional or exceptional periods of leave may be required. Examples include maternity/paternity leave or prolonged illness. These may occur as a single episode or on repeated occasions.

As a general principle, the total period of leave in any one training year should not exceed two months. Total leave taken during basic and advanced training will be considered separately and individual circumstances may be taken into account.

If the total period of leave during either basic or advanced training is considered to have been in excess of the guidelines given above, or to have interfered significantly with training, an additional period of training may be required.

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Part-Time Training

Part-time training is acceptable, provided that the position is equivalent to at least half of the full-time training position. The length of the 'on-off' work cycle is flexible and can range between two and a half days per week for 12 months or six months full-time work. All part-time training must meet the same standards as full-time training and the total length of training is to be the same as for the full-time training.

Work sharing is acceptable, particularly if the work is shared concurrently by two part- time trainees. Approval and accreditation processes are the same as for full-time training and fees payable to the College over the total period of advanced training will not normally exceed those of full-time training.

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Research in Advanced Training

The College adopts a flexible attitude to the inclusion of research in advanced training. However all applicants for FRACP should be satisfactorily trained as consultant physicians who are competent in the clinical practice of adult medicine whether or not their training program includes a significant component of research. At least three of the six years' training must be spent in clinical medicine. The majority of SAC/JSACs will expect that trainees spend at least one year of advanced training in clinical training in Australia.

Trainees who have successfully completed MD or PhD programs prior to passing the FRACP Examination, may request retrospective accreditation of part of their research towards advanced training, provided that the research was relevant to the advanced training program, and that it has not also been accepted as part of basic physician training. Trainees should contact the Training Section of the College to obtain an application form and a supervisor's report for this purpose. The completed forms should be returned to the College.

The CPT rather than an SAC/JSAC supervises trainees who wish to spend the entirety of advanced training in research. Each application must be prospective and is assessed on the basis of the trainee's previous record (including the period of basic training), the supervisor's standing as a research worker, and the proposed program of research. Approval is generally given only to applicants who are recipients of research scholarships from bona fide granting agencies. Full documentation including prospective application and a supervisor's report for each year, is required. Fellowship of the College is awarded upon the award of MD or PhD.

At the completion of training, a designated supervisor must state that the trainee is an adequately trained physician. If advanced training is undertaken entirely in research, additional clinical training may be undertaken post-FRACP under the supervision of an SAC/JSAC.

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Teaching

Advanced trainees are expected to teach medical students, junior doctors, other health professionals and nonmedical audiences. A range of teaching environments should be experienced: bedside, classroom and lecture theatres, and public venues. Trainees should have the opportunity to attend at least one course on educational theory and methodology, including adult learning principles, preparing audio-visual material and presentation techniques. Feedback from supervisors or other appropriate professionals should routinely be given.

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Rural Training
The College endorses and encourages trainees to consider rural training. It appreciates that a shortage of rural physicians exists, and believes that encouragement and support of rural advanced training is a valid way of encouraging trainee physicians to consider a future in rural practice.

Trainees who may consider rural training are encouraged to consider applying for one of the Rural Training Fellowships established by the College, or to consider applying for advanced training in general medicine or a subspecialty with the aim of commencing practice in a rural setting. Such training will be jointly overseen by the CPT, which can assist in gaining the appropriate terms.

Enquiries by trainees interested in this option should be directed to the Chairman of the CPT.

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