Accreditation

Accreditation is a cyclic multi-staged evaluation process, which uses a set of standards and an independent review to identify the level of congruence between practice and standards. Accreditation provides assurance that the Training Provider has met the Standards and provides quality training.

Accreditation Committee

A collective term for RACP Committees with delegated responsibility to make accreditation decisions.

Accreditation Cycle

A standard period (4 years) at the conclusion of which accreditation will lapse unless a comprehensive review is completed.

Accreditation lapsed

An accreditation status given to a Training Network, Setting, Training Program and/or rotation has not participated in workplace training for an extended period. Physician training cannot be offered.

Accreditation not achieved

An accreditation status given when a Training Network, Setting, Training Program and/or rotation seeking initial accreditation does not demonstrate sufficient preparedness and compliance with the Standards to commence training.

Accreditation Renewal

A review of the accreditation program to develop a comprehensive RACP wide strategy for accrediting workplace training.

Accreditation Report

A report which outlines the final accreditation decisions made by an Accreditation Committee.

Accreditation Requirement

An item or action unique to a training program that are required to meet the Standards.

Accreditation Review

An assessment completed by the RACP to determine and monitor compliance with the Standards.

Accreditation Review Panel

A group of accreditors that assess a Training Provider’s compliance with the Standards and prepares an external assessment report which outlines their findings and recommendations.

Accreditation Schedule

A timeline which outlines when in the four-year accreditation cycle a Training Provider is due for a comprehensive review.

Accreditation withdrawn

An accreditation status given when a Training Network, Setting, Training Program and/or rotation has been assessed as having insubstantial compliance with the criteria and/or requirements. Physician training cannot be offered.

An accreditation status given when a Training Provider has successfully completed initial accreditation of a Training Network, Setting, Training Program and/or rotation and has permission to commence training. Accreditation is provisional on the Training Provider meeting the commitments outlined in the initial accreditation report.

Where the commitments are not met, accreditation can be withdrawn.

An accreditation status given when a Training Provider has successfully completed initial accreditation of a Training Network, Setting, Training Program and/or rotation and has permission to commence training but has not substantially complied with one or more criteria and/or requirements.

The Training Provider can commence training and remediates its conditions in the defined time and demonstrate training is meeting the commitments outlined in the initial accreditation report. Where the conditions are not met or the commitments are not delivered, accreditation can be withdrawn.

Basic Trainee

A Member who is registered with the RACP to undertake a Basic Training Program in either the Adult Internal Medicine or Paediatrics & Child Health Division.

Breach of Standards

A Training Provider is not compliant with the Standards.

Bullying

Bullying is repeated and unreasonable behaviour, by a person or people whether intentional or unintentional, directed towards a worker or workers that creates a risk to health or safety.

Burnout

A feeling of exhaustion and/or fatigue that can be caused by work stressors. Common symptoms include exhaustion (physical/mental/emotional), depersonalisation (loss of empathy or connection to work) and reduced feelings of personal accomplishment.

Campus

The physical location where one or more service units provide health care and training.

Capacity to Train

The ability of Training Providers to deliver a breadth and depth of high-quality training so trainees, on entry to the profession, are competent and independent practitioners who perform their duties to a high standard.

Change of Circumstance

A planned or unplanned change within a training program, setting or training network which can or is impacting on training.

Clinical Governance

A system in place which is accountable for maintaining and improving the reliability, safety, and quality of health care so high standards of care are safeguarded.

Clinical Experience

Learning and development through experience, including day-to-day tasks, new and challenging experiences, problem-solving and reflective practice.

Clinical Supervisor

A supervisor who observes and oversees a trainee's work at the point of care.

College Education Committee (CEC)

The College's peak body responsible for developing and overseeing College-wide education policy and approving both new and amended training and education programs. The purpose of the CEC is to ensure consistent quality of education and training across all College training programs in Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand, with overarching responsibility for education policy, philosophy, and principles.

Commendation

Formal acknowledgement by an accreditation committee of innovative and quality training practices.

Competence

A holistic understanding of practice and an all-round ability to perform as an unsupervised medical practitioner.

Complaint

An expression of dissatisfaction made to or about the RACP's products, services, or staff that requires a response or resolution and is explicitly or implicitly expected or legally required.

Completion Phase

A phase of a Basic Training program which aims to:

confirm a trainees’ achievement of the curriculum standards and, completion of Basic Training

support trainees’ transition to Advanced Training.

Comprehensive Review

An accreditation review which assesses all the Standards and Requirements a Training Provider is responsible for.

Concern

An aspect of training which is causing worry to someone

Concerning Response

A group of responses, from the Physician Training Survey which indicates an increased likelihood of an adverse impact on the workplace training environment and functions or the health and wellbeing of an educator or trainee.

Condition

A proviso attached to an accreditation decision when a Training Provider does not have substantial compliance with a Standard and remediation is required in a defined time frame.

Consolidation Phase

A phase of a Basic Training Program which aims to support trainees’ professional development in the workplace.

Consultant

An independently practicing doctor who has Fellowship with a specialist medical college accredited by the Australian and/or New Zealand Medical Council

Criteria

Items or actions that are required to meet the Standards.

Culture

The social and physical environment of a workplace, which includes the approach to management, communication styles, cultural safety and implementation of health and safety.

Curriculum

A statement of the intended aims and objectives, content, assessment, experiences, outcomes, and processes of a program, including a description of the structure and expected methods of learning, teaching, feedback, and supervision.

The curriculum sets out the knowledge, skills, and professional qualities the trainee is to achieve. This is distinguished from a syllabus which is a statement of content to be taught and learnt.

Director of Paediatric Education

A RACP Fellow who provides leadership and oversight to a Paediatrics & Child Health Basic Training Program at a Setting.

Director of Physician Education

A RACP Fellow who provides leadership and oversight to an Adult Internal Medicine Basic Training Program at a Setting.

Director of Physician / Paediatric Education

A RACP Fellow who provides leadership and oversight to a Basic Training Program at a Setting.

Doctor

A person who has completed a medical degree and is registered with the Australian Medical Board or Medical Council of New Zealand.

Doctors in Training Manager

A person who supports RACP trainees. The breadth of the role is dependent on other support structures and staffing arrangements in the health service. Responsibilities can include recruitment, human resource functions, rostering, rotation allocation, trainee support and advocacy and accreditation support.

Document Assessment

A method used to conduct an accreditation review. It involves reviewing documentation provided by a Training Provider and where required, taking additional actions to

triangulate the accuracy of the documents provided.

Education Supervisor

A RACP Fellow who observes, oversees, and supports trainees with the completion of Training Program requirements, trajectory of learning and longitudinal progression.

Educator

A collective term used for supervisors, Directors of Physicians/Paediatric Education and Training Program Directors who are actively involved in physician education and training.

Executive

The senior management team of a health service.

External Assessment

A stage of the accreditation cycle where an Accreditation Review Panel assesses a Training Provider’s compliance with the Standards.

External Assessment Report

A report written by the Accreditation Review Panel to an Accreditation Committee which outlines the findings of the external assessment.

Fellow

A registered medical practitioner in Australia or New Zealand that is eligible and admitted to membership of a medical specialist college due to satisfactory completion of their speciality qualification.

Focus Review

An accreditation review which assesses a subset of the Standards and Requirements a Training Provider is responsible for.

Formal Learning

Learning and developing through structured courses and programs.

Foundation phase

A phase of a Basic Training program which aims to orient trainees and confirm their readiness to progress in the Basic Training program.

Governance

The set of relationships and responsibilities established by a health service between its executive and workforce.

Governance incorporates laws, directives, policy, processes, customs, and conventions that determine how an organisation is directed and administered.

Governance arrangements provide the structure through which the corporate objectives, such as training, are set and how the objectives are to be achieved. They also specify the mechanisms for monitoring performance.

Handover

The transfer of professional responsibility and accountability for care of a patient, or group of patients, to another person or professional group on a temporary or permanent basis.

Harassment

Harassment is any type of behaviour that:

• is unwelcome and unsolicited
• the person considers the behaviour to be offensive, intimidating, humiliating, or threatening
• is based on an attribute listed in anti-discrimination legislation; and
• a reasonable person would consider the behaviour to be offensive, intimidating, humiliating, or threatening

A single incident can amount to harassment. It does not have to be repeated. Intent or motive is irrelevant. It is the impact and nature of the behaviour that is assessed.

Harassment is also prohibited in relation to a person’s disability or the disability of an associate.

Health District

One or more health services operating in a geographic region with responsibilities delegated through a health jurisdiction or equivalent. Also known as an Area Health Service, District Health Board, Health Services, Local Health Network

Health Service

A health service led by a senior management team which is responsible for the governance, administration, and financial management of one or more service unit(s) providing healthcare and training. Its service units can be in one or more physical locations.

Healthcare

Efforts to maintain, improve or restore a person or people’s physical, mental, or emotional wellbeing via the prevention, diagnosis, recovery or cure of illness or injury.

Hybrid Visit

An accreditation review, where a physical and virtual visit occur.

Initial Accreditation

A process a Setting or Training Network goes through to be accredited by the RACP, so they offer physician training.

Inpatient Care

Medical treatment administered to a patient in a hospital or other health care facility and that requires the patient to stay in that facility for the duration of treatment. The patient is formally admitted to the facility for that treatment period.

Integrated Training Program

A training program which delivers all the learning, teaching and assessment programs of the curriculum. It supports and provides continuity of training to physician trainees.

Longitudinal Care

An integrated plan that documents disease prevention and treatment, including goals and plans that is patient centred reflecting their preferences to achieve long term health and wellness around care.

Medical Practice

The professional activity performed by health professionals to investigate patient symptoms and prevent and/or manage illness, together with associated professional activities for patient care.

Mentor

A trusted counsellor or guide who advises and supports a trainee throughout physician training.

Monitoring

A stage of the accreditation cycle where an Accreditation Committee ensures a Training Provider is maintaining compliance with the Standards and progressing recommendations and quality initiatives.

Multi Campus Setting

A health service whose service units and training are located at more than one physical location. If a Setting has multiple campuses, the campuses are accredited together.

Network Director of Paediatric Education

A RACP Fellow who provides educational leadership to an integrated Paediatrics & Child Health Basic Training Program across a network of settings

Network Director of Physician Education

A RACP Fellow who provides educational leadership to an integrated Adult Internal Medicine Basic Training Program across a Training Network.

Network Director of Physician/Paediatric Education

A Network Training Program Director for an Integrated Basic Training Program.

Network Management Committee

A committee established by a Training Network to plan, deliver, and manage an integrated Training Program.

Network Training Program Director

A collective term for a RACP Fellow who provides educational leadership and oversight to a training Program across a Training Network.

Notes

Explain what is required to demonstrate a Standard is being met.

Orientation

A formal introductory session that familiarises a new trainee with their rotation (department) and or setting.

Pastoral Care

Provision of a range of support to an individual to deal with issues, within and outside the workforce, which may impact on their capacity to work and learn

Periodic Review

Assesses whether a Training Provider is maintaining compliance with the Standards and progressing recommendations and quality initiatives.

Physical Visit

An Accreditation Review Panel is on site at the setting to complete an accreditation review.

Physician

A doctor who has completed further training in a medical specialty to diagnose and manage complex medical problems. A paediatrician is a physician who specialises in the treatment of infants, children, and adolescents.

Physician Training Committee

A committee led by the Training Program Director that oversees the training programs run by the Setting and is responsible for addressing the RACP Physician Training Provider Standards.

Physician Training Survey

A survey of trainees and educators to systematically collect confidential feedback on experiences, quality of training and supervision in the workplace.

Principal Training Program

A Training Program which delivers a substantial part of the learning, teaching and assessment programs of the curriculum.

Progress Review Panel

A group convened to make evidence-based decisions on Basic Trainees’ progression through and certification of training. Progressive Review Panels will be administered locally by an accredited Setting and Training Network where a Principal or Integrated Basic Training Program is delivered, respectively.

Protected Time

Time taken by trainees for education and training where their clinical responsibilities are managed by their peers or senior colleagues.

The time is used for formal learning, research, projects, and examination preparation.

Proviso

A qualification attached to the accreditation decision. This could be a condition and/or recommendation.

Provisions

Provisions are actions or items which determine the classification of a training program.

Quality Assurance

Maintenance of a desired level of quality.

Quality Improvement

A formal approach to analyse performance and systematic efforts to improve quality.

Quality Initiative

A quality improvement activity being completed by the Training Provider to improve training.

Recommendation

A proviso attached to an accreditation decision when a Training Provider has substantial compliance with a standard and improvements are required prior to the next comprehensive or focus review.

Reporting

A stage of the accreditation cycle where a Training Provider’s accreditation decision is released.

Roster

Is a timetable that indicates the days and times that an employee is required to work.

Rostering Manager

A person responsible for rostering RACP trainees to provide clinical service in a health service.

Rotation

Placement of a trainee within or across a service unit for a fixed period for the purposes of training.

Rotation Supervisor

A consultant who oversees a trainee’s learning, teaching and assessment within a rotation.

Scholarship

Serious formal study of a subject.

Self-Assessment

A stage of the accreditation cycle where a Training Provider reflects on their compliance with the Standards.

Self-assessment Report

A report written by the Training Provider to the Accreditation Review Panel or Accreditation Committee which outlines their compliance with the Standards

Senior Medical Officer

A doctor who leads and oversees medical services and medical practitioner management in a health service (e.g. Director of Medical Services, Clinical Director) Also known as Chief Medical Officer in Aotearoa New Zealand.

Setting

A separately constituted health service that is accountable for the coordination and delivery of physician workplace training for one or more RACP Training Programs.

Setting Executive

The leader of a health service. The person oversees the strategy, budget and activities of the health service and empowers in the organisation to move forward strategically.

Sexual Harassment

Sexual harassment is any form of unwelcome sexual attention. It involves humiliation or offence to the victim.

Social Learning

Learning through interactions with others. It includes sharing, coaching, mentoring and feedback, utilising communities and personal networks and other collaborative and cooperative actions.

Specialty

An area of medicine that requires defined sets of knowledge, skills, and experience.

Standard

A broad statement describing the desired and achievable level of performance.

Standards

A collective term for criteria, requirements, and provisions.

Status Report

A document submitted by a Training Provider for their Periodic Review outlining their compliance with the Standards and progress on recommendations and quality initiatives.

Supervision

An active relationship between a supervisor and a trainee. In the context of patient care, the trainee is provided with monitoring, guidance, and feedback on their professional development. The supervisor engages with the trainee, assesses the trainee’s strengths and weaknesses, and responds to their needs to maintain patient safety and to enable the trainee to progress and take on more responsibility.

Supervisor

A collective term which includes assistant, rotation, education, and advanced training supervisors.

Supporting Documentation

Documentation that demonstrates a Training Provider is compliant with the Standards.

Theme

A domain of training which has a group of related standards that need to be achieved.

Trainee

A Member who is registered with the RACP to undertake one or more Training Programs in the Adult Internal Medicine or Paediatrics & Child Health Division; Faculty and/or Chapter.

Training

This is ongoing, workplace-based experiences which link to the Curricula standards and its learning, teaching and assessment programs.

Training Committee

A RACP committee that monitor and reviews training program entry, trainee progress, training program curriculum and program requirements, undertakes workplace accreditation and supports educators and trainees involved in the training program.

Training Network

A collective of Training Settings, with a formal agreement, that work together to manage and deliver an Integrated Training Program.

Training Program

An education program of the RACP’s Division, Faculties and Chapters. The programs contain a set of Curricula standards and a learning, teaching and assessment programs.

Training Program Classification

A framework which describes the provisions used to determine the time and/or type of training a training program can provide.

Training Program Committee

A committee lead by a Director of Physician/ Paediatric Education or Training Program Director to administer, deliver, and manage a training program.

Training Program Coordinator

Staff employed by a Setting or Training Network to support a the Director of Physicians/Paediatric Education and/or Training Program Directors to coordinate, deliver and improve a training program.

Training Program Director

A collective term for RACP Fellows who provide leadership and oversight to a Training Program at a Setting.

Training Program Partner

A partnership between two or more settings which work together to deliver components of the same training program.

Training Provider

A collective term for a Setting and/or a Training Network.

Training Provider Coordination Officer

A person employed by the Training Provider, who works with the RACP to coordinate the logistics of the accreditation review.

Training Requirements

The components of a training program that a trainee must satisfactory complete to progress through training. Mandatory program requirements are linked to certification of training, progression through training, and program completion.

Virtual Visit

An Accreditation Review Panel using video and teleconferencing technology to complete an accreditation review.

Visit

A collective term for an Accreditation Review Panel undertaking an accreditation review onsite and/or by video and teleconferencing technology

Workplace

The place where work is carried out for a health service and includes any place where a trainee goes or is likely to go, while at work.