Timeline
When will Progress Review Panels be available in TMP?
Progress Review Panels are scheduled to be available in TMP from mid-2025. However, this does not mean that Panels must be established prior to this and immediately support trainees as soon as the functionality is available.
The College will work with Committees to determine what models may be applicable to the Training Program, as different training contexts will require different Panel models. The operating model for how Panels will function will be kept flexible to allow for different needs.
How will I know when a progression decision is due for my trainees?
- Information on trainees’ projected training phase end dates is available in TMP, and visible to trainees, supervisors, DPEs, and panel members. For a typical full-time trainee, this date will be in late January / early February in line with usual clinical year end dates. End-of-phase dates will vary for part-time trainees.
- The “decisions due” field set automatically in TMP is an indicator to help panels see which trainees are approaching the end of their phase or are past the phase end date — it doesn’t mean that decisions must be finalised 30 days before the phase ends.
When should panels meet?
We recommend that panels time their meetings and record progression decisions in TMP within four weeks before or after the phase end date. This allows time for end-of-rotation and phase progress reports to be completed and reviewed, and for panels to meet once all assessment data is available. For example, if your trainees’ end of phase date aligns to the end of the clinical year in February, we recommend the panel meets between January and March.
- When trainees undertake part-time training or interrupt, this will extend their phase end date. The panel may defer making a progression decision for these trainees to the next scheduled panel meeting.
- We understand that clinical schedules and leave periods, particularly in December and January, can affect timelines, so there is flexibility built in to accommodate these operational realities.
When are trainees required to complete their 2025 learning and assessment requirements?
- Trainees are required to complete their learning and assessment requirements, including progress reports, by the end of their phase of training.
- However, DPEs can set local submission deadlines to ensure progress reports and assessment requirements are completed to align with the timing of local progress review panel meetings.
- We ask trainees to adhere to any local deadlines set by their network and DPE. If a local deadline hasn’t been specified, the default deadline is the same as trainees’ end-of-phase dates.
- Trainees are expected to plan and manage their learning and submit assessments in a timely manner. We recognise that this year brings additional changes with the new curriculum and technology, and we encourage settings to show flexibility where appropriate to support trainees to complete their assessments.
What outcomes need to be documented at a panel meeting?
- Progress decisions are required for trainees at the end of their phase. Panel members can document progress decisions in TMP. Trainees receive a notification once RACP staff have published a decision (and any conditions if applicable).
- Minutes from panel meetings should be kept locally and do not need to be submitted to the College.
- Progress reviews are optional – this is a way for panels to review trainees’ and record feedback in TMP without recording formal progress decisions. Progress review feedback can be added at any time of the year. Review comments are published automatically and trainees receive a notification.
How does the training support pathway work in the new curriculum?
This resource provides information on how progress decisions link to the Training Support Pathway in the new curriculum.
- The Improving Performance Action Plan (IPAP) form can continue to be used with PREP program trainees, but has been replaced in the new curricula with conditions for training progress.
- Conditions fulfil the same purpose as the IPAP by setting clear actions for trainees to address gaps in training and help them stay on track with their training progress.
- Panel members can set progress conditions for trainees in the TMP, and these will be visible to trainees, supervisors, DPEs, and panels.
- Conditions can be set for trainees as part of stage 1, local training setting support, or the more formal stages 2 and 3 of the Training Support Pathway.
- We are in the process of updating our website to clarify how the training support pathway works in the PREP and new curricula programs.
The “Progress Review Panels” section of the curriculum training and support resources hub has more information, including:
- Progress Review Panel information sheet (PDF)
- Progress Review Panel guide (PDF)
- Short workshop series, TMP user instructions and more.
Panel composition and operation
Can a trainee progress between phases out of alignment with the clinical year?
Yes, trainees will be able to progress between phases outside of the clinical year alignment. Panels should meet at a minimum twice a year and at these meetings can prioritise decisions for those trainees who are due to or have recently completed their phase.
Roles of supervisors and training committees
What is the role of the Education Supervisor (ES) on the Progress Review Panel?
Education Supervisors (ES) may have varying roles in relation to the Panel. Some may sit on the Panel, while others may attend as guests to update the Panel on how their trainees are progressing. The level of involvement will depend on how the Panel prefers to run its meetings. Some ESs may have no interaction with the Panel, except to be informed of progression and certification decisions for their trainee(s).
What role will committees who have oversight of training programs have when Progress Review Panels are introduced?
Training Committees will retain their oversight of training programs and will remain the escalation body for trainees recommended for the Training Support Pathway. Additionally, if Progress Review Panels have difficulty assessing a trainee against the progression criteria, they may refer the trainee to the Committee for a decision. Regular reporting on Panel decisions will also be provided to the Committee.
Will all members of the primary panel (overseeing committees) have visibility of all trainee records?
All members of a primary panel (overseeing committee) will be set up in TMP and will have access to all trainees records in the relevant training program. College body members are expected to adhere to College policies and by-laws, including: