Alternative Training Routes


Outer Metropolitan Specialist Training Program (OMSTP)

The Outer Metropolitan Specialist Training Program is an initiative of the Australian Government acting through the Department of Health and Ageing. The Program is designed to develop and implement specialist training programs in private practices and Aboriginal medical services, which provide services to patients of outer metropolitan areas.

The College has participated in the OMSTP since 2004. Placements under this Program have provided specialist trainees with the opportunity to gain access to a range of clinical experiences that may not be available in teaching hospitals.

The College supports Basic and Advanced Trainees undertaking part of their training program in private practice settings given that the issues of supervision, appropriate training, remuneration and medical indemnity can be addressed.

Department of Health and Ageing OMSTP site

Extended Settings for Specialist Training Program

The Expanded Settings for Specialist Training Program (ESTP) is an initiative of the Australian Government, implemented through the Department of Health and Ageing. The Program is designed to develop and implement specialist training in a range of new settings. Traditionally, the training of physicians has taken place in major metropolitan teaching hospitals.

The Phelan Report 2002 and the Medical Specialist Training Taskforce 2004 identified the need to increase opportunities for medical specialist training beyond the traditional metropolitan public hospital settings with due regard to the following:

1. Changes in the delivery of healthcare
2. Shortage of medical specialists.
3. The limited capacity of the health system under the current training model.
4. Improving distribution, recruitment and retention.
5. Safety and quality.                    

The Department of Health and Ageing (DoHA) has provided funding in 2008 for sites to develop alternative pathways for the education of physicians.  These extended settings include:  private clinics, Aboriginal Medical Services, private hospitals, community settings, non-clinical settings, regional, rural and remote settings, and ambulatory care settings. Placements under this program have provided specialist trainees with the opportunity to gain access to a range of clinical experiences that may not be available in metropolitan teaching hospitals.

The College has taken great care that issues of supervision, appropriate training, case load and case mix, remuneration and medical indemnity are addressed. The College strongly supports trainees undertaking part of their training program within these settings.

The Department of Health and Ageing has funded a larger range of positions under ESTP in 2009 – covering almost all specialty areas:

• paediatrics, nephrology, medical oncology, endocrinology, gastroenterology, general medicine, cardiology, geriatric medicine, neurology, palliative medicine, public health medicine, rehabilitation, rheumatology, respiratory medicine, etc.

All new sites must pass the accreditation requirements of the College before they qualify for funding (see under: Training Site Accreditation – Basic or Advanced). The College participates in this Federal funding initiative alongside the other 12 Medical Specialist Colleges of Australia.

Department of Health and Ageing ESTP site

For further information please contact the Project Officer at: estp@racp.edu.au

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