General Information Variations in Training Interruptions Normally basic training should be continuous. If basic training is interrupted for more than 2 years the CPT will usually require an additional period of training. Trainees who have satisfactorily completed all the requirements of basic training may sit for the examination during a period of interrupted training, provided they are registered with the College. Trainees who do not register during the period of interruption will cease to receive College publications, forms and updates on training and are ineligible to sit for the examination. Trainees who interrupt training after completion of basic training for longer than 2 years and are not involved in clinical work, will normally be required to undertake one additional year of prospectively approved training before being eligible to commence advanced training. Trainees who are interrupting training should notify the CPT of their decision. The Training Section of the College office in Australia or the College office in New Zealand should be contacted for an appropriate form. Leave 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 6-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 (i.e. including holiday, special leave, etc.) in any one training year should not exceed 2 months. The total leave taken during basic training will be considered 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 or to have interfered significantly with training, an additional period of training may be required. Part Time Training Training may be undertaken full time or part time or a combination of both. All part time training must meet the same requirements as full time training. Part time training is defined as continuous training equal to at least 20% or more of a full time clinical training position at any time. Basic training must be completed within seven years otherwise further training will be required. At least two of the six years must be full time. Job sharing is acceptable. Training and Transfers between Australia and New Zealand At either level of training (basic or advanced) training may be undertaken in either Australia or New Zealand. Trainees should seek further advice from the Training Section of the College office in Australia or the College office in New Zealand. Transfers between Adult Medicine and Paediatrics and Child Health Divisions Trainees wishing to transfer from training in one division to training in the other division during basic training should make their application to the CPT. Generally, there will be an additional period of training required. Within the full 36 months of training, up to 24 months exemption may be given for basic training within the other division. Trainees who have successfully completed basic training and the examination would normally be required to undertake one year of basic training and the Clinical Examination of the other division before commencing advanced training Research The College adopts a flexible attitude to the inclusion of research in both basic and advanced training. However, all applicants for Fellowship must be satisfactorily trained as physicians, whether or not their training program includes a significant component of research. At least 4½ years of the 6 years training must be spent in clinical medicine. Normally, research may be undertaken during advanced training and up to 6 months of research work may be accepted towards basic training requirements. This should be discussed with the DPT. Teaching Basic trainees are expected to teach medical students, interns and other health professionals in the course of their training. Teaching may include bedside tutorials, small group discussions and larger group presentations. Whilst some material will be well known to trainees, preparation will usually be required. When such are available, trainees are encouraged to attend courses outlining principles of adult learning and effective presentation techniques. Feedback from more senior clinicians and medical educators should be arranged periodically. Training in Rural Centres The College wishes to promote rural training opportunities at both basic and advanced levels. Rural positions can offer excellent training and provide an opportunity for trainees to experience practice in a non metropolitan setting. At least 3 months of the 36 months of basic training must be satisfactorily completed outside level 3 teaching hospitals. Many rural hospitals are accredited as a level 1 teaching hospital or as secondment sites and are suitable for such training. If adequate rural rotations are available in the state or territory, a 3 month period must be spent in these locations. However, it is recognized that differences exist between the states and territories and therefore it is acceptable that the required 3 months may be spent in level 2 or level 3 teaching hospitals in a non metropolitan site. [ Table of Contents ]

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	Copyright 2002 © The Royal Australasian College of Physicians This page was last edited: 12 September 2003