Key Competencies
Key Competencies for Overseas Trained Physicians/Paediatricians
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Physicians and Paediatricians in Australia are medical specialists committed to providing high quality patient care in Adult Internal Medicine, Paediatrics & Child Health and their associated subspecialties. They play a key leadership role in the diagnosis, treatment and management of complex medical problems. Physicians have undertaken a minimum of six years of intensive postgraduate training in order to achieve the levels of knowledge, skills and expertise required for clinical practice within their subspecialty field.
Physicians and Paediatricians in Australia treat patients who have been referred to them by other medical practitioners (either General Practitioners or other specialists; e.g. surgeons) for expert advice. Where appropriate, the Physician will confer with other specialists in order to seek advice or work as part of an integrated team, jointly managing the patient’s treatment and care. They may also refer the patient to other specialists for more specific treatment and ongoing care.
| The key differentiating features of the physician’s and paediatrician’s role include: | ||
| • | Having a rich understanding of the totality of health care provision and patient management processes - i.e. thinking of the patient as a ‘whole person’, rather than simply focusing on a specific illness; | |
| • | Having an understanding of the importance of research and how the boundaries of medical knowledge, understanding and clinical skills are expanded; | |
| • | Having comprehensive, deep and high order skills in history taking, interpretive and diagnostic processes, investigations utilised, and the associated degree of patient care and management; | |
| • | Being aware of the social determinants of disease. | |
Competencies expected of an Overseas Trained Physician/Paediatrician who wishes to work in Australia
The most important competency for Overseas Trained Physicians/Paediatricians (OTPs) applying for Area of Need positions is their ability to undertake the duties outlined in the job description. It is expected, however, that the OTP will also be able to meet many of the expectations outlined below.
It is expected that an OTP who is applying for specialist registration and/or Fellowship of the College will meet the same expectations that are held of a trainee of the College who has completed the College’s training programs. In order to meet these expectations the OTP will:
| • | Be able to demonstrate the specific clinical skills and theoretical knowledge required for competent practice within their discipline or area of clinical specialisation; | |
| • | Be able to demonstrate their knowledge of, and ability to competently utilise the range of common or generic knowledge, skills, attitudes and behaviours required by all Physicians/Paediatricians, regardless of their speciality; | |
| • | Have a general understanding of the range of related subspecialties; | |
| • | Be able to communicate effectively, and sensitively with patients and their families, colleagues and other allied health professionals; | |
| • | Be competent in the comprehensive assessment, diagnosis, treatment and management of their patients; | |
| • | Know whether and when to order, and how to interpret the results of diagnostic tests; | |
| • | Understand and acknowledge the importance of the various socio-economic factors that contribute to illness and vulnerability; | |
| • | Be aware of, and sensitive to, the special needs of patients from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds; | |
| • | Be able to work within, lead and fully utilise, multi-disciplinary team based approaches to the assessment, management and care of their patients; | |
| • | Recognise the need for and be able to apply appropriate patient advocacy skills; | |
| • | Have the skills required to process new knowledge and the desire to promote and maintain excellence through actively supporting or participating in research an active program of continuing professional development; | |
| • | Be able to contribute to the education of patients, colleagues, trainees, junior medical officers, students and other health care workers. |
March 2006
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