Mandatory hospital terms - RACGP
To prepare registrars for entry into a GP setting, RACGP registrars are required to complete specific hospital rotations before starting a GP term.
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About mandatory terms
To prepare for training in a GP setting, RACGP registrars are required to demonstrate they have had adequate exposure to a range of clinical rotations relevant to general practice.
Registrars are required to demonstrate an understanding of safe practice in the following areas prior to commencing their first GP term:
Medicine
Surgery
Emergency medicine
Paediatrics
In addition, to enter a GP term, registrars must have completed at least 24 months of PGY1 and PGY2, and have unconditional medical registration.
It is important to note that successful completion of mandatory terms is determined by the RACGP Censor. GP Synergy can provide preliminary advice regarding mandatory term completion, however we cannot guarantee they will be approved.
Important points
Mandatory terms need to be completed before entering your first GP term (not before applying or starting training).
Alternatives for paediatrics are available.
Alternatives for doctors whose training plans have been impacted by COVID-19 may be available (see below)
It is the responsibility of the registrar to secure the hospital terms required.
Terms completed between five and ten years from the date of your first GP term, will require evidence of how you have maintained your knowledge and skills.
Terms completed more than ten years from the date of your first GP term are not eligible for consideration.
Has COVID-19 impacted your training plans?
Find out about new alternatives for mandatory hospitals terms
FAQs
You will need to provide:
- JMO end of term assessment reports
- Statement of service
- CV
- Paediatric logbook or letter from department head (see the Paediatrics Guidance Document for more information)
You are encouraged to collect this information as early as possible to avoid delays to your training.
Paediatrics
In addition to the alternative ways you can meet your paediatric requirement outlined in the RACGP Paediatric Term Requirements, GP Synergy has RACGP approval for an additional alternative way to meet the paediatric term requirement. This is outlined in the 'NAPPE' - the NSW and ACT Pre GP Paediatric Equivalent.
Under the NAPPE, doctors can meet their paediatric requirement by completion of one half of a paediatric term or one emergency term* with >20% paediatric presentations, in addition to a number of courses and exposure signed off by their supervisor in their first GP term.
Please see the NAPPE guidance document for more information.
Surgery and medicine
GP Synergy has also worked with the RACGP has approved alternate ways doctors can meet their medical and surgical mandatory terms. These are outlined in the Hospital Alternative Pathway Pre-GP Years (HAPPY) Guide.
A range of terms may be considered. A key consideration is whether the term has enabled you to be able to recognise a sick surgical patient/a patient experiencing a surgical related problem, as pre-operative assessment and post-operative complications and care are often managed by GPs.
GP Synergy has also worked with the RACGP has approved alternate ways doctors can meet their medical and surgical mandatory terms. These are outlined in the Hospital Alternative Pathway Pre-GP Years (HAPPY) Guide.
A range of terms may be considered. Key considerations include whether the term has helped you to develop an understanding of patients with a long-term medical illness (as GPs often manage patients with chronic disease) as well as recognising an acutely ill patient.
A key consideration for paediatrics terms is whether you are able to identify acutely unwell children. Some paediatric rotations (i.e. paediatric surgery) may not meet this requirement.
As paediatric terms can be difficult to obtain, the RACGP has several other options for meeting this requirement. See the Paediatric Guidance Document for more information.
In addition, GP Synergy has RACGP approval for an additional alternative way to meet the paediatric term requirement. This is outlined in the 'NAPPE' - the NSW and ACT Pre GP Paediatric Equivalent.
Under the NAPPE, doctors can meet their paediatric requirement by completion of one half of a paediatric term or one emergency term* with >20% paediatric presentations, in addition to a number of courses and exposure signed off by their supervisor in their first GP term.
Please see the NAPPE guidance document for more information.
An alternative to undertaking a paediatrics term is to undertake two emergency terms that both have a minimum 20% paediatrics caseload. One of these terms must be completed as a PGY2 or above. You will need to provide evidence of this caseload:
- Keep a logbook of patients you have seen over a two-week period whilst in the emergency term to demonstrate your paediatric case exposure, or
- Obtain a letter from the head of the department confirming you would have been exposed to more than 20% paediatric patients.
See the Paediatric Guidance Document for more information.
Overseas experience may be considered by the RACGP censor in some circumstances, on a case by case basis.
We can provide you with preliminary advice based on current RACGP policies. We are unable to guarentee RPL will be granted as approval rests with the RACGP Censor.