AMC Accreditation in Australia

Background

Accreditation is a vital aspect of any training organisation. In Australia, all providers of specialist medical education must be accredited by the Australian Medical Council (AMC). In New Zealand the process of accreditation is managed by the Medical Council of New Zealand (MCNZ). The primary objective of these accreditation processes is to provide external assurance of the quality of medical education, based on explicit standards.

During the last review, the RACP was granted accreditation until December 2014 by the AMC and the MCNZ. Between accreditation visits, the AMC and MCNZ monitor developments through annual reports.

Accreditation by the Australian Medical Council

The AMC is a national standards body for medical education and training. One of its functions is to advise and make recommendations to the Medical Board of Australia on the accreditation of Australian and Australasian providers of specialist medical training and professional development programs. More information on Review and Accreditation of Specialist Medical Education and Training programs in Australia can be found at: www.amc.org.au/index.php/ar/sme.

Accreditation by the Medical Council of New Zealand

The MCNZ has similar processes to the AMC for the accreditation of specialist medical education and training. In New Zealand these relate to vocational scopes of practice. Details can be found at: www.mcnz.org.nz/news-and-publications/guides-and-booklets/.

Memorandum of Understanding

In 2010 the AMC and MCNZ signed an agreement extending and formalising aligned accreditation processes by both accrediting authorities.  This Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) has enabled the RACP to more efficiently review and improve its training programs in Australia and New Zealand, including a joint submission of its Annual Report to the AMC and MCNZ in 2012.  While the MOU is only beginning to take full effect, it is clear that this increased collaboration will lead to a broader understanding of RACP Australasian training programs as well as increased opportunities for the College to strategically bring about educational change in Australia and New Zealand.

RACP Reports

Report	Outcome
2012 (Annual Report) In September 2012 the College submitted its Annual Report, which details significant changes to RACP education programs and describes the College's progress in addressing the recommendations made by the AMC and MCNZ.	“...the College responds to expectations and the quality of their educational programmes is at an international standard. Credit should be given to the leadership of the College by the President and the CE and the staff should be commended for their professionalism in implementing the strategies and supporting the Fellows and trainees.”
2011 (Annual Report)	“…the College is making sound progress against all of the Accreditation Standards…The AMC commends the RACP’s strong, clear report.”
2010 (Comprehensive Report)	The College is accredited until 2014. The College was commended for substantial progress in initiating and implementing substantial changes to its education and training processes.
2009 (Annual Report)	Progress noted by the AMC. The College remained accredited until 2010.
2008 (Comprehensive Report) Adult Medicine and Paediatrics & Child Health Divisions Occupational & Environmental Medicine Public Health Medicine Rehabilitation Medicine Addiction Medicine Palliative Medicine Sexual Health Medicine Supplementary RACP Submission to the AMC (1 July 2008)	AMC's 2008 Accreditation Report