GP Registrar 2015

2015
GP Registrar
The essential
guide for general
practice registrars
Inside
Negotiating a great career
Exam preparation
Looking after yourself
Training resources
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GP Registrar 2015
GP Registrar: The essential guide for general practice registrars

is produced by General Practice Registrars Australia Ltd.
The aim of GP Registrar is to assist general GP Registrar: The essential guide for general
practice registrars navigate their way through practice registrars has been prepared by
the maze of general practice training. registrars for registrars. The guide has been
This 2015 edition covers employment as a produced using sustainable environmentally
registrar, including employment terms and friendly printing techniques and paper; an
conditions; exam preparation, including advice approach that reflects GPRA’s ethos of
on study partners and how to utilise practice supporting tomorrow’s general practitioners,
case studies; support, including wellbeing and their families, in their quest for sustainable
tips and the importance of looking after careers in general practice.
yourself; and training resources, including
information about the Australian General
Practice Training program.
General Practice Registrars Australia Ltd is the voice and peak body for the next
generation of general practitioners. We work to improve the health care of all Australians
through excellence in education and training, and by promoting general practice as the
medical specialty of choice.
GPRA would like to acknowledge
the support of our patron, Professor
Michael Kidd AM.
Professor Kidd is Executive Dean
of the Faculty of Health Sciences
at Flinders University, President
of the World Organization of
Family Doctors (WONCA) and
past president of the RACGP.
Editorial team Graphic Designer: Peter Fitzgerald

Interim CEO: Sally Kincaid Registrar Services Coordinators:
Editor: Denese Warmington – Member Engagement: Nicole Bonne
GP Registrar Advisor: Dr Kate Thornton – Policy, Research and Reporting: Dr Cameron Adams
Writers: Jan Walker, Denese Warmington
© GPRA, 2015. All rights are reserved. All materials contained in this publication are protected by Australian copyright law and may
not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, displayed, published or broadcast without the prior permission of General Practice Registrars
Australia Ltd (GPRA) or in the case of third party material, the owner of that content. You may not alter or remove any trademark,
copyright or other notice from copies of the publication. No part of this publication may be reproduced without prior permission and full
acknowledgement of the source: GP Registrar, a publication of General Practice Registrars Australia.
All efforts have been made to ensure that material presented in this publication was correct at the time of printing and published in good
faith. GPRA does not accept liability for the use of information within this publication. Due to the rapidly changing nature of the industry,
GPRA does not make any warranty or guarantee concerning the accuracy or reliability of this content.
Published by General Practice Registrars Australia Ltd, Level 1, 517 Flinders Lane, Melbourne VIC 3001.
ABN 60 108 076 704 ISSN 2203-1448
GPRA wish to acknowledge the ongoing support of the Australian Government
Department of Health. insert FSC logo
Printed by Graphic Impressions
2 gpra.org.au – 1300 131 198

Contents GP Registrar
The essential
2015
guide for general

practice registrars
On the cover
Dr Jas Saini is loving his life as a GP registrar. A role he says,
that allows him to build rich relationships with his patients –
as life coach, advocate, personal trainer, physician, emergency Inside
physician and surgeon. Read Jas’ story on page 18.

Exam preparation
Training resources
5 Message from the Chair 3 Exams – the finish line

1 About GPRA 38 Dr Letitia Clark on fellowship exams
41 ACRRM and RACGP Fellowship exams
8 Dr KateThornton on GPRA
43 Studying with peers
11 Introducing GPRA
44 Exam preparation
12 GPRA membership
46 GPRA webinars
14 GPRA committees and networks
4 Support that counts
2 Employment as a registrar
48 Dr Cass Wys on wellbeing
18 Dr Jas Saini on employment
51 Looking after yourself
21 Your first placement
53 Staying sane
22 Calling Australia home
54 If things go wrong
24 Getting through it
26 Statutory terms and conditions 5 Training resources
of employment
58 Dr Sidya Raghavan on resources
28 Schemes and incentives
61 Registrar liaison officers
29 National Terms and Conditions
62 The AGPT program
for the Employment of Registrars
63 Resources for the road
31 Find your benchmark
32 Your employment agreement
34 Choosing the right placement

GP Registrar – The essential guide for general practice registrars 3

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Message from the Chair
On behalf of General Practice Registrars Australia

(GPRA), I am very proud to introduce the 2015
edition of GP Registrar. With so many changes
afoot in general practice training it is fantastic to
be able to offer such a useful resource to fellow
general practice trainees. GP Registrar provides tips,
resources and stories that will help you during
your time in training and beyond.
GP Registrar has been prepared by fellow
GP registrars, and GPRA staff who specialise
in dealing with general practice training issues.
The expertise evident in this guide could be
invaluable when you are first starting out in
general practice. If you’re reading here at the For those with a passion for more, GP Registrar
start of the guide, I implore you to read on explains how you can become involved in a GPRA
and make use of the essential information that committee. GPRA committees focus on a wide
lies beyond. array of areas relevant to GP registrars, including
GPRA is the voice of the next generation of Indigenous health, medical education and the
general practitioners, from medical students to quality of general practice training in Australia.
newly qualified GPs. GPRA’s key aims include: At a time of significant change, I urge you now
more than ever to get involved, and remain
• representing the interests of all GP informed as we work towards the best possible
registrars and supporting them through the future for general practice training.
training program
General practice is an infinitely rewarding career.
• advocating on key issues affecting GP registrars, We are specialists in undifferentiated illness,
with the changes to the GP training program a preventive care and chronic disease management.
current major focus The privilege of building an ongoing relationship
• providing resources for exam preparation with patients to guide them through all stages
• providing support to registrars to help of life is a unique one that I encourage you to
maintain resilience embrace. Beyond that, the possibilities are endless.
The flexibility and variety that is possible in general
• preparation for life and practice beyond the practice is one of its greatest attributes – general
training program. practitioners work in all areas, in the widest array
Inside GP Registrar you will read about different of roles, and your biggest problem is going to be in
options for training pathways, crucial information the choosing!
on your employment conditions, and some Congratulations on a fine choice of specialty, and
fantastic exam preparation resources. Be inspired welcome to general practice.
by the stories of some of the amazing lives GP
registrars lead around Australia. Dr David Chessor
GPRA Chair

Choose your own
adventure
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the finished size dimensions of
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Open up your career options with a Fellowship ACRRM,
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Be a better doctor
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1800 223 226
1 About GPRA
Best supporting role
GPT2 registrar Dr Kate Thornton Kate’s best tip for new registrars? Find out in
advance if your practice has a dummy patient on
is actively involved with GPRA as an their computer system.
RLO, a member of the Wellbeing “On my first day I really struggled with the
Committee and the GP Registrar computer system and the printer and ordering
Advisor of this guide. While she tests, which surprised me,” Kate recalls.
offers support to her patients, she “I thought as part of the computer-literate
generation I would be fine with that stuff but I
says GPRA is supporting her.
found that quite challenging and it really did make
my first day difficult.
“I think GPRA does a fantastic job of supporting
registrars,” declares Dr Kate Thornton. “I’ve now found out that they’ve got a dummy
patient, so you can practise in advance if you tee
“You could ask them a question about pay or
it up with the practice manager.”
feeling burnt out or whatever you want to ask,
and they will answer it and guide you in the right Kate is currently working in a GP clinic at Corio
direction,” she adds, describing GPRA’s telephone on the outskirts of Geelong. “Corio is traditionally
advisory service. quite a disadvantaged area so there’s a lot of
poverty, substance abuse and unemployment
“Then there are all the resources on the website.
there,” Kate explains.
We should all be using the website more often
because there is some really great information there.” Working with people at society’s margins may
be challenging but Kate finds it rewarding. “I think
If Kate sounds like a walking advertisement for
unfortunately some people in Australia don’t have
GPRA, it’s understandable. She has recently made
as many opportunities in life and have poorer
the leap from passenger’s seat to driver’s seat
health than others so that’s the sort of area I’d like
at GPRA by taking on roles on the Wellbeing
to work in.”
Committee and as the registrar advisor of this guide.
Kate says it’s gratifying when she can help people
In the registrar advisor role, Kate acts as another
make healthier lifestyle choices. “It’s really satisfying
set of eyes on the information and tips in GP
when you can support someone to make the
Registrar, reviewing it through the prism of the end
decision to quit smoking, and you can see that
user and suggesting any necessary changes. “My
they’re motivating themselves and bringing about
job is to make sure the content is well targeted at
change in their life.”
registrars like me,” she says.
But Kate cautions registrars not to be disheartened
A strength of the guide is that it features tips that
if their patients lapse, or are not 100 percent pure
come not from the top down but peer-to-peer
in their new healthy habits. “It’s all about being
from other registrars.
realistic. I think part of your journey in your first
8 gpra.org.au – 1300 131 198

1 About GPRA
“We should all

be using the
website more often
because there is
some really great
information there.”

year or two as a GP registrar is having to accept supervisor and I devised had to address both
the real world.” regular antenatal care issues and the patient’s
social issues,” Kate recounts.
Patients who attempt to give up smoking during
pregnancy are a case in point, she says. “I see a lot Kate says she would like to do more work in the
of pregnant teenagers. For them, success is cutting socio-medical field of refugee health in the future.
back from 20 cigarettes to five cigarettes while
Kate believes it’s vital for GP registrars to make
they’re pregnant even though it’s not what’s in the
room for exercise and personal time. “Planning the
textbooks. That can be satisfying to see – bringing
week in advance helps,” she says.
about small changes.”
Kate squeezes fitness into her week by regularly
Kate grew up in Melbourne and studied science
cycling to work – a 12-kilometre ride.
at university but later decided she was more
interested in people than petri dishes. “I did a When we spoke to her she was about to head to
science degree at Melbourne Uni, which I enjoyed, Queensland with her partner Sam to run in a half-
but I really felt I wanted to use science to be around marathon in a team triathlon. “Sam did the swim
people. I chose to do medicine as a graduate and my dad did the bike ride,” she says.
course at the ANU in Canberra,” she says. But she also enjoys less energetic weekends away,
General practice was always Kate’s first choice having recently returned from time out at a vegan
of medical specialty, although she did consider bed and breakfast.
psychiatry. She continues to pursue her interest in So what’s Kate’s take-home message for registrars
mental health within the general practice setting, about getting involved with GPRA? Definitely sign
and sees a significant number of mental health cases. up as a member, she says, because there’s so much
Kate’s interest in complex cases and marginalised support on offer.
populations began early during her training. As a You can choose to volunteer for a committee if
junior hospital doctor, she did a PGPPP term at a that interests you and gain valuable experience in
diverse inner-city practice in Canberra where the policy, governance and the broader issues of
patient mix included substance abusers, gay and general practice – and make some great networking
transgender people, HIV-positive people contacts and friends along the way. Or alternatively
and refugees you can simply use the website resources or go to
One patient made a profound impression on the webinars.
Kate. The case involved a homeless 21-year-old “Everyone’s different and GPRA allows you to be
refugee with a five-year-old son who presented involved to the degree your time commitments
to the clinic in a labile emotional state and 19 will allow,” she says.
weeks pregnant. “The management plan that my
Written by Jan Walker
10 gpra.org.au – 1300 131 198

1 About GPRA
Introducing General Practice

Registrars Australia
General Practice Registrars Australia (GPRA) is a medical student, up to five GP registrars and
the peak national representative body in Australia three co-opted directors. The Board is responsible
for general practice registrars. We produce for corporate governance, our financial
a range of resources to support registrars sustainability, and for advancing registrar issues to
throughout their training and assessment, provide stakeholders.
direct support and advocate for their interests
We are informed by an Advisory Council
with other stakeholders.
which consists of RLOs from every RTP and
Some of the things we do to directly benefit national registrar representatives from various
general practice registrars are: stakeholders. The Council is in communication
• Produce and facilitate professional

development webinars on exam skills,
all-year-round, forming an Australia-wide network
providing and sharing solutions to both local and
national training issues.
financial matters, clinical topics and more
• Support registrar liaison officers (RLOs) in

their provision of peer support to registrars
The Board relies on the Advisory Council to
provide feedback and information on registrar
policy issues in order to advance these issues in
within their regional training providers (RTPs)
the national arena.
• Provide individual support to registrars
going through any appeals process as part
GPRA also promotes general practice as the
medical specialty of choice to medical students
of their training
and junior doctors. We do this via:
• Produce a range of resources such as guides
on how to negotiate employment conditions, • the General Practice Students Network and
the First Wave Scholarship program for
in-practice teaching, exam preparation and
university students
self care
• Negotiate the terms and conditions of • the Going Places Network for junior doctors.
employment for registrars Shaping the future of
• Advocate for the interests of registrars
and provide a conduit for them to get
general practice
Students, junior doctors and GP registrars are the
advice on, and address issues with, training future of general practice. GPRA provides critical
or employment feedback to stakeholders and the government
• Represent the views of general practice

registrars to government, training
in order to improve general practice training
in Australia. At a time when general practice is
undergoing a substantial reshaping, we are the
providers, colleges and other stakeholders.
voice of the future. We work hard together with
GPRA is run by registrars, for registrars. other stakeholders for the common purpose of
Our Board of Directors is elected from the advancing the profession and the health care of
membership and includes a junior doctor or all Australians.
GPRegistrar
GP Registrar––The
Theessential
essentialguide
guidefor
forgeneral
generalpractice
practiceregistrars
registrars 9
11
GPRA membership
Your registrar community
Being a member of GPRA provides • Online exam resources specifically developed
for registrars by registrars
many professional and personal
benefits – and it’s free! • Regular enewsletters to keep you informed
about issues that matter to registrars
Registrar membership • The opportunity to contribute to committees

considering a wide range of policy issues
Registrar membership is open to all general
practice registrars from acceptance into general • Discounts on conference registrations,
products and services.
practice training, through to two years
post-fellowship.
Members have full voting rights for two-years Four easy ways to become a
post-fellowship, and can remain Associate member of GPRA
•
Members after this time. Associate Members*
currently enjoy similar benefits to voting members. Tear out the membership form at the back
of this guide
• Go to gpra.org.au
Membership to GPRA is free.
Membership benefits
• Email registrarenquiries@gpra.org.au
• Phone 03 9629 8878
As a GPRA Member you have access to the
following:
• Advice on the National Terms and

Conditions for the Employment of Registrars
(NTCER) and how it relates to your
employment
• and
Personalised advocacy, support
assistance with any issues or disputes that
may arise during your training
• Professional exam preparation, financial and

clinical webinars
* Associate membership is available to medical students through the General Practice Students Network, junior doctors through
the Going Places Network and doctors who are not on the AGPT or RVTS training program and other stakeholders.
Visit gpra.org.au for more information.
12 gpra.org.au – 1300 131 198

1 GPRA and what we do
GPRegistrar
GP Registrar––The
Theessential
essentialguide
guidefor
forgeneral
generalpractice
practiceregistrars
registrars 11
13
GPRA committees
and networks
The committees experience in governance and advocacy,
and to broaden your industrial knowledge of
GPRA committees were formed by the GPRA
general practice.
Advisory Council to progress issues or ideas of
importance to Council. Committees are one GPRA currently has committees working in the
of the primary drivers behind GPRA policy following areas:
development and progression and cover a wide Assessment and standards
range of issues from rural training to wellbeing,
assessment and standards to closing the gap. This committee’s primary focus is with ACRRM
and RACGP assessments and standards. The
GPRA advocates on behalf of GP registrars via RACGP will implement new standards in 2015,
the activities of the registrar services team, which means the Committee will be heavily
Advisory Council, committees, networks and involved in surveillance and reporting on the new
the Board. Most issues are first raised within the standards from a registrar’s point of view.
Advisory Council via discussions and reports
from the committees. Closing the gap
Key policy and advocacy areas GPRA will be The Close the Gap Committee works to reduce
working on in 2015 include rural issues, support the inequality in health experienced by Aboriginal
for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander registrars, and Torres Strait Islander peoples and to promote
terms and conditions of employment, assessment this issue within the AGPT. The Committee works
and standards, and furthering the recognition closely with the Indigenous General Practice
and support for registrar medical educators and Registrar Network and the General Practice
emerging supervisors. Students Network Close the Gap Working Group.
How the committees work International medical graduates
GPRA committees promote discussion within International medical graduates (IMGs) represent
both the Advisory Council and the committees, around one-quarter of the Australian medical
and work to produce outcomes that can be workforce. The International Medical Graduate
embraced and implemented by other stakeholders. Committee represents IMG registrars and
They achieve this by meeting regularly via a web- investigates issues relevant to this group. The
based conferencing platform to collaborate, and Committee is currently developing a publication
by communicating via email groups. Secretarial and relating to IMGs.
infrastructure support is provided to each of the Registrar wellbeing
committees by GPRA.
Wellbeing is an issue often overlooked in the
The work of many of our committees to improve registrar community. The Wellbeing Committee
the Australian General Practice Training (AGPT) aims to promote the wellbeing of registrars – and
program has been integrated into the various doctors – in their workplaces. The Committee
standards and policies that govern the program. recently produced a poster for consulting rooms
Committees and networks are a great way to gain that reminds patients that they are in a workplace.
14 gpra.org.au – 1300 131 198

1 About GPRA
Rural issues The networks

Often rural registrars face unique difficulties. The Indigenous General Practice
The Rural Committee is interested in all issues Registrars Network
concerning rural registrars including workforce
In 2008, and with the assistance of GPET, the
issues, rural incentive payments and the various
Indigenous General Practice Registrars Network
state rural generalist pathways.
(IGPRN) was established by a group of Aboriginal
Terms and conditions and Torres Strait Islander GP registrars. In 2012,
This committee negotiates the terms and GPRA agreed to manage the co-ordination of the
conditions for registrars with General Practice network, with the objective of providing more
Supervisors Australia every two years. The next targeted assistance to its members.
round of negotiations will occur in 2016. The The aim of IGPRN is to assist all Indigenous GP
committee also monitors and investigates any registrars through to fellowship by providing
issues with terms and conditions at other times. support throughout their training and assessment.
How GPRA policy is created The network is there for when times are
In the first instance, issues are generally raised challenging, and also to celebrate achievements.
within the Advisory Council. The relevant IGPRN undertakes exam preparation and peer
committee then investigates change and develops debriefing via online study groups, discussion
potential solutions to the issue at hand. This often forums, and two face-to-face workshops each year.
involves working with external stakeholders
to develop industry-wide policy statements. If you are an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander GP
A good example of this process is the statement registrar (or up to two years post-fellowship) we
of principles and discussion paper, Fatigue welcome your involvement in the network.
Management in Vocational General Practice Training, Email igprnenquiries@gpra.org.au
which is available on our website.
Get involved General Practice Registrar Medical
Educators Network
Any GPRA member can join a committee. It’s a
great way to be involved, get your ideas heard and The ability to educate others is a crucial role
make a difference. It’s also a great introduction to in general practice – for patients, fellow health
governance, and the industry and stakeholders professionals and junior colleagues. Becoming
behind general practice. Meetings are held regularly a registrar medical educator (RME) is a useful
via a web-based conferencing platform. and supported way to test the waters when
considering a career in medical education.
If you are interested in joining one of our The General Practice Registrar Medical Educators
committees or networks, or would like to know Network (GPRMEN) was formed by GPRA to
more, email registrarenquiries@gpra.org.au provide a professional network for RMEs and to
advocate for the role to exist in a quality framework.

The network provides peer support for RMEs General Practice Registrar Emerging
around the country via online discussion forums Supervisor Network
and web-based conferencing.
Many supervisors begin their career in
The RME role includes: mentoring the next generation of GPs without
• Teaching to a number of different levels,

including GP registrars, junior doctors and
much formal training in supervision.
Many registrars feel the calling of supervision,
but the path towards becoming a supervisor
medical students
can be less than obvious. In order to provide
• Delivering lectures, workshops, small group
tutorials, problem based learning and clinical
peer-to-peer networking and guidance to
potential supervisors, GPRA formed the
skills tutorials General Practice Registrar Emerging Supervisor
• Networking with RTPs and other stakeholders Network (GPRESN).
• Working with RTPs to plan and deliver

education, including policy, curriculum and
GPRESN is our newest network, so now is a
great time to join if you have an interest in
resource development becoming a supervisor further down the track.
• Undertaking further professional development. GPRMEN and GPRESN run free webinars
each month on topics relevant to RMEs and
The workload generally ranges from 1–5 sessions supervisors. The topics covered represent
per week, with 3–9 sessions of clinical practice to best-practice teaching and supervision from
complete the working week. leaders in the industry.
For more information about joining GPRMEN

or GPRESN, email the registrar services team at
registrarenquiries@gpra.org.au
or phone 03 9629 8878
Dr Patrick McCarthy, GPRMEN Chair and

Dr Letitia Clark, GPRESN Chair, at the
GPRA Advisory Council meeting, Brisbane,
September 2014
16 gpra.org.au – 1300 131 198

Dr Jas Saini once ran a part-time As a medical student, Jas ran a part-time business
writing resumes and offering job-seeking tips to
business helping people get jobs. people in his community so he has a background
Now he shares his job market in human resources.
smarts with other GP registrars Jas says his number one tip for novice GP registrars
as a member of GPRA’s Terms is this: “Make sure you have a solid contract before
you start work anywhere. Most practices are very
and Conditions Committee and lenient and supportive of their registrars. But having
as a presenter of contract something written down covers both the registrar
negotiation webinars. and the practice if anything happens.”
Jas has further tips for the practice interview and
GP registrar Dr Jas Saini sounds self-assured but, is a believer in the 80/20 rule. “There are many
like many new registrars, he faced his first general versions of the 80/20 rule, but for me it means
practice term with trepidation. that for 80 percent of the time during an interview
“I was very nervous when I started my first you should be listening and 20 percent of the
term as a GP registrar,” he recalls. “Starting your time you should be speaking. The reason for that
first general practice term is a big transition is you want to know as much about the practice
for registrars. as possible.”
“You’re going from the hospital setting to what Practices are frequently looking for permanent
is essentially a small business enterprise. All of a staff, especially in areas of workforce shortage, says
sudden you’re no longer working on salary, you’re Jas, and if the registrar is the right fit there may be
generating your income as a private practitioner. future job prospects.
So it’s a very nerve-racking time.” “Interviewers often ask interviewees what their
A couple of years on, with the finishing line of his five-year goal is, but it’s also important for you as
GP fellowship in sight, Jas has grown in confidence an interviewee to find out where the practice is
and offers advice to his less experienced registrar going in the next five years,” he continues.
colleagues as a member of GPRA’s Terms and “If your interests and skills suit the practice’s
Conditions Committee and a presenter of the plans, you should emphasise this. Suddenly
webinar Negotiating Your GP Term Employment you’re responding to their needs rather than just
Agreement. telling them all you’ve done, because it may be
The webinar covers topics such as how to handle completely irrelevant.”
employer-employee relations in the private medical Jas says it can be difficult for basic term registrars
business arena and how to negotiate a contract to ask for more than the 45 percent of billings
that’s a win-win deal for both parties. in the National Terms and Conditions for the
Employment of Registrars (NTCER) document at
first. “But 45 percent is a very good number to be
on,” he says.
18 gpra.org.au – 1300 131 198

“Make sure you

have a solid contract
before you start
work anywhere.”

He counsels registrars that it’s not all about money. “We had a car accident and I was hit in the face
“Money seems to be a big highlight for people but by a large metal object. I was covered in blood and
there are other aspects where negotiation may be taken to the nearest public hospital. It didn’t have
involved. Sometimes it comes down to making a any electricity and they were going to stitch up my
compromise so you’re better off somewhere else.” face without any light, with glass fragments still in
Jas cites the example of negotiating study leave my face.”
before an upcoming exam, and noting it in the Fortunately, Jas was whisked off to a private
contract. “This isn’t automatically covered in the hospital, where a plastic surgeon skilfully repaired
NTCER – and it’s something I’ve found quite the damage with 32 stitches. “That man pretty
important leading up to exams,” Jas says. much gave me my life back that day, and I made up
A useful strategy for registrars seeking a higher my mind that I wanted to do the same for others,”
rate than 45 percent is to suggest a review and Jas reflects.
renegotiation after a trial period, Jas advises. “At Jas grew up in the western suburbs of Sydney.
your interview you can say let’s see what I can After moving to Monash University in Melbourne
achieve and perhaps we can have a discussion to complete his medical degree, he returned
and a renegotiation in six weeks time.” home to Sydney’s west for his general practice
Jas says he is a big fan of the resources created by training.
GPRA. “You’ve got the More than Money guide, He currently divides his time between an academic
the employment agreement template and the post at the University of Western Sydney and a
benchmarking survey, which is excellent to find out clinical post at The Practice in Blacktown.
what conditions your colleagues around Australia Jas is also involved in numerous extra-curricular
are getting. roles, as an RLO for WentWest and a member of
“There’s also the GPRA earnings calculator, which their General Practice Leaders Group, and he sits
gives you an idea of what you can expect to get on the GPRA Board as a Registrar Director.
on a certain percentage based on the number of After hours, he enjoys keeping fit at the gym,
patients you see.” catching up with friends and planning travels to
A traumatic childhood event at the age of 10 exotic locations with his wife Gurleen.
inspired Jas to study medicine. Jas (short for So is general practice living up to expectations
Jaspreet) and his family were visiting India, the for Jas? Absolutely! “I’m a people person and I can
country of his birth. build rich relationships with my patients. As a GP
registrar, I’m a life coach, I’m an advocate, I’m a
personal trainer, I’m a physician, I’m an emergency
physician, I’m a surgeon. I’m so many different roles
at the same time, which I absolutely love,”
he concludes.
Written by Jan Walker
20 gpra.org.au – 1300 131 198

Your first placement

How to plan for satisfaction
Prioritise your needs
Think about what you are looking for in a practice.
Often this includes location, practice specialty,
supervisor and teaching environment, remuneration,
restraint of trade and flexible annual leave and
training hours.
Make sure you research each practice before
applying. Finding out that a practice is open 8 am
to 8 pm weekdays for example, can indicate that
Dr Jomini Cheong, GP registrar, you will likely need to do at least one evening
RLO and newly elected GPRA a week. It will also often give you a list of supervisors
and their backgrounds, practice area of interest/
Board Director, looks at the basics specialisation and allied health support.
to consider when applying for your Practice profiles and websites will often provide
first general practice placement. a listing of their fees, which may be important
in considering the remuneration aspect of your
Careful thought and planning goes a long way in placement. A larger practice will often have more
making your first general practice placement as flexible annual leave and training hours with a
rewarding as possible. larger number of GPs available to manage the
Recognition of prior learning patient load.
Make sure that your recognition of prior learning Plan your interview
(RPL) is sufficient to satisfy the requirements of The interview provides the opportunity to clarify
your RTP. I’ve seen a few cases where placements any questions you have. Asking about patient
have been organised only for the registrar to demographic, remuneration, allied health support,
be informed that they will have to cancel their teaching programs, study leave, working hours,
confirmed placement to find another hospital on-call/nursing home visits is very helpful. Asking
term to finish off their RPL. what they are looking for in a registrar often helps
Think long term to see their point of view so that it forms a win-win
relationship for both parties. Ask if you are able to
You will need to finish a certain number of terms speak to the current registrars as well.
(this can vary depending on your choice of
fellowship) and will likely need to satisfy certain Get the right indemnity
training obligations. Indemnity is relatively cheap (and tax deductible)
Training obligations can include working for a for first year registrars. There are many providers
minimum period in an outer metropolitan or rural so do your research and select one that will suit
area. Think about when you want to complete your needs.
these requirements and where you would like to
complete them.
Calling Australia home
International medical graduates you are based, and staying longer so that you get
to know the system better.
represent around one-quarter of
The most obvious obstacle for many IMGs
the Australian medical workforce. practising in Australia is that English is their second
Dr Yashar Aliabadi Zadeh, an IMG language. Language hurdles cause problems in
and recent RACGP Fellow, different areas, including difficulties in having
conversations with patients. If you are not familiar
provides some advice for doctors with Australian slang, I recommend that you
training towards general practice. purchase an Australian slang reference book
and read it from cover to cover. Slang can also
For most international medical graduates (IMGs) be a struggle for IMGs from an English speaking
the challenges of settling in Australia can fall into background. For example, imagine that a patient
the following categories: presents at your clinic and says: “Hi doc. I had a
• Family related stress bingle yesterday and I feel crook now.” If you’re not
•Visa and immigration regulations familiar with the slang, you wouldn’t know that the
patient had had a car accident and now feels unwell!
•Being unfamiliar with the Australian
health system
Another way to help overcome language hurdles
is by ‘staying active’. By this I mean taking notes
•Having English as a second language in English, watching Australian movies and news,
•Coping with cultural differences. reading English language books and newspapers,
and by talking to staff and listening to the
Most IMGs seeking employment in Australia will pronunciation of vocabulary and phrases.
be placed in a district of workforce shortage area.
Unfortunately this means that partners might not It is true that there is a cultural gap for most IMGs,
find a position in the same town. I recommend and it is also true that this can affect your medical
that you consider moving along with your family practice. However, while most non-Western
or loved ones. This will help you assimilate countries might have a paternalistic model of
into the Australian health system without the medical practice, in which the doctor has a high
emotional stress of not being around family and rank of authority, in Australia, this is not usually the
having the support you need. case. So give it time, I found most of my colleagues
from non-Western backgrounds were doing very
Both family stresses and visa status can cause well after a couple of years, if not earlier.
a sense of urgency to sit the fellowship exams.
However, this type of approach eliminates the And finally, know your available resources!
chance of efficiently knowing the Australian health Most regional training providers provide some
system, which is important for passing the exams. level of support for IMGs, including training, which
also gives you the opportunity to socialise with
So if you have ended up living away from family your colleagues.
and hoping that obtaining fellowship as soon as
possible will solve your problems, I suggest that The GPRA International Medical Graduate
instead, you consider moving your family to where Committee represents IMG registrars and
investigates issues relevant to this group.
22 gpra.org.au – 1300 131 198 To find out more, visit gpra.org.au
“I recommend that
you consider moving
along with your family
or loved ones.”
Yashar with his wife Yasaman Adli and son, Kian

Getting through it
Tips for surviving that first day
– what type and size of specula are
Starting at a new practice? kept, in addition to other Pap smear
The following registrar tips can help equipment
you make it through those first – what and where the different types of swabs
(MCS, PCR) and specimen jars are kept.
consultations with ease.
• Log on before your first consult.
Before your placement • Locate the Therapeutic Guidelines, either
• Make sure you have a signed contract.

printed copies or where it is on your
computer desktop.
• Make sure you know the procedure
sick and unable to get to work.
if you are
• Add useful and recommended websites
to your bookmarks list on your browser.
• Try to visit the practice before your • Ensure your practice firewalls allow you access
first day to meet staff, locate staff parking and to materials you want or need.
• Experiment with software. Use a fake patient

to start familiarising yourself with the practice.
In your room to manage a condition.Your practice will
• Open all the cupboards in your room to find have one of these on their system.
where everything is.
• Locate where information leaflets are on
• Locate where all the prescription, pathology the toolbar.
and radiology forms are kept, and check with
• Start collecting resources that will be useful
reception staff where the extra or infrequently during your consultations, such as guidelines for
used referrals and forms are kept. bowel screening and a flowchart for
•

Work out which way the paper faces in the
computer printer.

investigating breast lumps. Keep them in an
accessible place.
• Work out how the phone works and put labels In the practice
•
against internal numbers if not already done.
•
Check out the treatment room, especially
Check if there is an emergency alert button, where dressings, vaccines and needles are kept:
and how to use it and turn it off.
• Investigate common equipment:

– Does the practice nurse administer vaccines?
– What systems and protocols does the
– what type of sphygmomanometer is used practice use for recording vaccine usage?

– which way the blood pressure cuff faces and
where the large cuff is kept
• Find out where the resuscitation kit and
oxygen are kept. Ensure you know what is in
– what type of thermometer is used the kit and how to use it. Find out if you have
access to oxygen saturation monitors and
– where the otoscope with different sized
an ECG.
specula for ears and noses is kept
24 gpra.org.au – 1300 131 198

• Check how to fill up and use liquid nitrogen

for cryotherapy.
– the capabilities and specialist coverage of
the local hospital
• Make friends with practice staff, they can make – community or domiciliary nursing services.
your life much easier. Be friendly and polite
and make an effort to learn their names.
• Talk about your teaching requirements.
Make sure you have sufficient designated
The practice manager is a key ally and can help teaching time and discuss how you would like
smooth your way into your new environment. to use this.
• Have a say in setting up your bookings. You will
During consultations
• Take
almost certainly need extra time until you find
your feet, so book accordingly (ideally two a deep breath, count to 10 and then call
patients per hour when you first start, moving your first patient in.
to three or four when you feel comfortable).
• Start with open-ended questions.

Let the practice staff know the common
procedures you may routinely need extra time • Try to get the full list of the patient’s
complaints and needs early in the consult. Then
for (eg. Pap smears, psychological intervention
you can prioritise and, if required, book a
and care plans, skin excisions).
second appointment to cover the list in full.
With your supervisor • (investigation
Try to do all the work for each consult
• Check the practice booking and billing system.
Make sure you can check your billings in the

requests, prescriptions, referrals
and notes) during the consultation to avoid
practice software to ensure they are correct. having to hang around after hours when
•
everyone else has gone home and when you
Ask about the practice policy on checking and are more likely to forget the details.
follow-up of results and patient recalls, including
who follows up your patients’ results after you • Have a system for keeping track of clinical
questions that arise during consults (eg.
leave the practice.
notebook on your desk, manila folder with
• Establish their preferred method of being
contacted for questions during consultations

patient consult summary printed) to ask your
supervisor or look up.
(ie. phone, knock on the door, internal
messaging system) and after hours. If you’re GPRA tip
doing after-hours cover, make sure that a senior Once you have survived your first day, enjoy your
doctor has been designated to back you up and term! Ask lots of questions, look after yourself and
that you have their contact numbers. leave work at work. Debrief with other registrars
• Ask for a list of local services and their phone

numbers/addresses. Many practices will have a
at block releases and teaching sessions. Have fun,
and if you are not enjoying work talk to someone
at your RTP about it early on in your term. Don’t
list in their practice software: forget that your RLO and GPRA are there to help.
– pathology/radiology
– allied health/specialists
Statutory terms and
conditions of employment
There are terms and conditions total doctors or registrars working in a specified
area. This calculation is based on 38-hours per
from the Fair Work Act (2009) and week. Hypothetically, a general practice may have
Australian Taxation Office that apply 10 doctors, but when you total the hours the
to all general practice registrars. It’s doctors are working, they may be working the
equivalent of only six full-time doctors.
important to know these and to
Employment and training are not related when a
ensure that they are included in determination of full-time and part-time is made.
your employment agreement. ACRRM and the RACGP define part-time training
as being between three and eight sessions per
General practice registrars are employees, not week (averaging 3.5 hours each session). Nine
contractors. This is because the salient features of sessions per week is the minimum requirement for
an employer-employee relationship are evident in a full-time training. These sessions include the time
registrar-practice relationship (or any combination taken for patient contact hours, administration,
thereof). Involvement in an apprentice or trainee compulsory educational release with your RTP,
situation also has a significant impact on whether and the compulsory in-practice teaching with
an individual is viewed by the Australian Taxation your supervisor/s.
Office (ATO) as a contractor or an employee. It is entirely possible to be training full time, but
Therefore, no matter if you operate as a considered a part time employee.
contractor, or what a signed document says,
your legal relationship with your practice is Restrictive covenants are a clause in an
employer-employee. employment contract that limits an employee
from working within a defined distance and time
It is illegal to represent an employment relationship period from their current employer after their
as being one of principal/independent contractor. employment is terminated. The distance should
Practices may end up having to back-pay a depend on the density of practices within an area.
registrar’s entitlements such as annual leave and The time period should recognise that registrars
super, and be liable for unpaid payroll tax. The have little choice (in most cases) as to the practice
risk of engaging registrars as contractors is largely in which they train. These clauses are designed
borne by the practice, however indemnity may be to prevent ‘patient pinching’. GPRA recommends
a significant issue for registrars. registrars attempt to remove restrictive covenants
Full time vs. part time from employment contracts in order to maximise
Full-time employment is 38 hours per week as choice regarding your future work locations, (not
per Australian employment standards. Anything to pinch patients!).
less is considered part-time and calculated and Employment agreements
paid pro-rata. Every two years, registrar representatives from
Full-time equivalent (FTE) is a term used in the GPRA and supervisor representatives from
context of reporting workforce to government the General Practice Supervisors’ Association
relating to the full-time equivalent quota of the meet to negotiate the terms and conditions for
26 gpra.org.au – 1300 131 198

registrars who are not covered by the Medical available to you; you do not have to accrue this
Practitioners Award 2010, or any other applicable leave before you can access it.
award. Following this process, GPRA publishes a
Both annual leave and personal leave are paid at
document for registrars that contains the agreed
the appropriate base rate.
terms and conditions. These terms and conditions
represent the basic terms and conditions of Superannuation is paid to registrars at the
employment, and registrars are free to attempt gazetted rate, which is 9.5 percent in 2015.
to negotiate improved terms and conditions. Refer to gpra.org.au for more information about
However, we advise registrars to carefully check superannuation rates.
their employment agreement to ensure they Parental leave
contain at least the terms and conditions agreed
Parental leave is generally not available to registrars,
to with GPRA.
as it requires one year of continuous service with
Refer to page 32 for more information on creating an employer. However, up to 12 months leave
your employment agreement. from the AGPT program is available to registrars
Base pay rates are indexed according to the on application. Additional leave from the training
Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS), usually annually. program may also be available depending on your
circumstances. We recommend you apply for leave
Entitlements as soon as is realistic so that disruption to your
As an employee, you are entitled to paid annual training is kept to a minimum. Talk to your training
leave under Australian law – specifically the Fair provider for more information, or contact us.You
Work Act (2009) and the National Employment may also want to investigate paid parental leave
Standards (NES). Employers are not required to with Centrelink.
grant leave if you have not yet accumulated it. On
Other resources
termination of employment an employer must pay
an employee for any accrued annual leave. Annual More than Money: A negotiation guide for GP
leave is paid at your appropriate base rate. registrars was designed to make contract
negotiation easier for registrars. The essential
Personal leave is leave that employees can take
checklist from this guide contains a summary
when they cannot attend work because they are
of the key topics that may be covered and
sick or injured. Sick leave is a type of personal
documented in your employment contract.
leave under the NES. Under the NES, full-time
employees are entitled to 10 days paid personal The 2014 Terms and Conditions Benchmarking
leave (for sick and paid carer’s leave) per year. Report can help you quickly determine the
Part-time employees receive a pro-rata remuneration and conditions that other registrars
entitlement to personal leave based on the in your particular setting receive. Refer to page 31
number of hours they work. Paid personal leave for more information about this report.
accumulates from year to year. Note that if your Both of these publications are available at
contract is based on GPRA’s terms and conditions gpra.org.au
of employment, personal leave is immediately

Schemes and incentives
Various incentive schemes are General Practice Rural

available to encourage general Incentives Program
The General Practice Rural Incentives Program
practice registrars to work or train (GPRIP) commenced on 1 July 2010.
in Australian regional, rural and The program aims to encourage medical
remote communities. practitioners, including registrars, to practise in
rural and remote communities and promote
careers in rural medicine.
The HECS Reimbursement
Scheme It combines two previously separate retention
incentive programs available to GPs and
The Higher Education Reimbursement Scheme GP registrars.
(HECS) reimburses a proportion of a medical
student’s standard Commonwealth Supported The GPRIP payment is based on your ASGC-RA
HECS-HELP debt for every year they provide classification and length of service.
medical services or train in eligible rural and For more information on these schemes and
remote communities. ASGC remoteness areas, visit:
If you work in an Australian Standard Geographical
• ruralhealthaustralia.gov.au
• health.gov.au/internet/otd/Publishing.nsf/
Classification Remoteness Area (ASGC-RA) 2+,
you are probably eligible for this scheme.
Content/RA-intro
ASGC areas are classified as:
• RA1 – major cities Australia

• RA2 – inner regional Australia
• RA3 – outer regional Australia
• RA4 – remote Australia
• RA5 – very remote Australia.
28 gpra.org.au – 1300 131 198

National Terms and

Conditions for the
Employment of Registrars
The GPRA Terms and Conditions
Committee is responsible for
negotiating terms and conditions
for GP registrars with General
Practice Supervisors Australia –
important to all registrars.
The terms and conditions for the employment of The GPRA Terms and Conditions Committee
a registrar (not covered by the Medical Practitioners is responsible for these negotiations. Any GPRA
Award 2010 or any other applicable award) are Member can join this committee and shape the
negotiated every two years by General Practice future of terms and conditions for registrars.
Registrars Australia and General Practice
Supervisors Australia. The resulting document, Get information on terms and conditions and
the National Terms and Conditions for the GPRA’s employment agreement template for
Employment of Registrars (NTCER), details the registrars at gpra.org.au
terms and conditions that should be included in To join the GPRA Terms and Conditions Committee,
every registrar’s contract of employment. email registrarenquiries@gpra.org.au
These terms and conditions are intended to For queries about your terms and conditions, phone
establish a fair and reasonable basis of employment the registrar services team on 03 9629 8878 or
for registrars and to support an appropriate email registrarenquiries@gpra.org.au
educational environment. The document includes
details around pay, conditions and working hours.
It also requires that each registrar obtains training
across the full spectrum of general practice and
shares the patient workload of other doctors in
the practices where they are undertaking their
training. The terms and conditions are based on
current, relevant AGPT and college policies.

Find your benchmark
The aim of the GPRA Terms and The report covers:
Conditions Benchmarking Report • general demographics

is to empower you in negotiating • employment conditions
the best possible terms and • negotiating terms of employment
conditions of employment during • billing profiles, and
your training. • earning capacity.
The report is a great starting point for negotiating
The 2014 Terms and Conditions Benchmarking your employment terms and conditions, as you
Report contains a benchmark of earnings and can quickly determine the remuneration and
employment conditions from registrars working conditions that other registrars in your particular
in various general practice environments around setting receive. For example, the survey showed
Australia. The report is the result of the GPRA that respondents were working an average of
Terms and Conditions Benchmarking Survey, which 7.34 sessions per week and earning an average of
was open for respondents from 2 March to $2215 per week (see below).
28 April 2014.
To download a copy of the 2014 Terms and
Conditions Benchmarking Report, visit gpra.org.au
120
100
Number of respondents
80 GPT1
GPT2
60
GPT3
EXT
40
Total
20
<$500 $1 000 $1 500 $2000 $2500 $3000 $3500 $4000 $4500 $5000 $5500 >$5500
Average weekly earnings
Note: earnings were binned to the higher number. For example, $1500 includes $1001 to $1500

Your employment agreement
Making it work for you
Understanding your employment Understand what you are signing
agreement and ensuring it meets Read your agreement and understand each clause.
the minimum requirements is Speak to the practice, your RLO or phone the
registrar services team if you need help or would
important for all registrars. like to discuss any parts of your agreement.
Ensure both parties are happy

Know what you are entitled to
Although you can negotiate with your employer
Regardless of your training term, read the National
for conditions and benefits that are greater than
Terms and Conditions for the Employment of
the NTCER, be prepared for a bit of give and take.
Registrars (NTCER) document. At a minimum,
Your practice is a business, and your employment
your employment agreement must include
should be a win-win situation. Remember that no
everything within the NTCER. All registrars can
clauses from the NTCER should be removed from
negotiate conditions better than in the NTCER
your employment agreement.
document, and successful negotiation is common
in GPT2 and beyond. Use the GPRA Terms and For more information, refer to:
Conditions Benchmarking Report for information
about what registrars around the country earn.
• More than Money: A negotiation guide for
GP registrars. Available at gpra.org.au
Talk to the practice • 2014 Terms and Conditions Benchmarking
Report. Available at gpra.org.au
Discussions about your employment may occur
with your GP supervisor, practice manager or Changes during the term
another person within the practice. Depending
on what you are negotiating, you may wish to Your situation can change during the year. It’s
negotiate during the job interview (if you wish important that any changes to your terms and
to take an extended period of leave during the conditions are recorded in an amendment to your
term, for example), or more likely soon after you original agreement. We highly recommend:
have been notified that you have got the job. Try
to have a positive attitude, and don’t be afraid
• that you sign an employment agreement before
you start work at the practice
to ask questions. GPRA members can access
personalised advice on the terms and conditions • that you take your time before signing
and how they apply to their situation by contacting
the GPRA registrar services team.
• that a new employment agreement be
drawn up for each term, even if you are
completing another term at the same practice
•
Use a template to create your
if you make any changes to your agreement,
employment agreement
ensure you have the changes in writing or that
Use our employment agreement template your agreement is amended.
(available at gpra.org.au) or your RTP’s
employment agreement template.
32 gpra.org.au – 1300 131 198

Need advice?
GPRA members can access personalised advice
about their employment. Email the registrar
services team at registrarenquiries@gpra.org.au
or phone 03 9629 8878

Decisions, decisions…
choosing the right placement
The great gift of general practice How long do I intend to stay?
is choice. Dr Jas Saini, GP registrar, Am I looking for a long-term relationship, or
simply staying on for a few months to acquire
RLO and newly elected GPRA
certain skills?
Board Director, poses some useful
Knowing which category you fall into can help to
questions and tips to consider simplify your choice.
when securing your next placement. Technical aspects
Know your RTP requirements What is the billing structure? How many patients
will I be seeing an hour? Is it busy enough to allow
Take a look at the registrar handbook produced
me to develop the experience I need, for exams
by your RTP. Know the requirements of your RTP, and for my career thereafter? Will I be supported
map out your path early on and be sure to keep to make safe and competent decisions? Do I get
abreast of any changes. my own room?
The practice – questions Your style of practice
to consider
Does the practice share similar values to my own?
Training and support opportunities Are the areas of interests similar to mine? Do they
What support is available? Will I receive assistance look after their patients the way that I would like to
for exams? Do any of the practice GPs have look after my patients? Are there opportunities to
experience as examiners? What skills can I acquire provide feedback? How is this received? Does the
at this practice that I cannot get elsewhere? practice adapt to change?
Will the acquisition of these skills be useful to me Previous registrars working at the practice may
personally? What does the previous registrar say best answer these questions.
about this practice?
Balance
Relationships
What hours will I be working? Will there be a
How does this practice treat its administration, lot of after-hours commitments? How far must I
nursing and allied health staff? Do I have access travel? Will working here allow me to balance my
to a practice nurse? What is their role? Will the work life with family and personal life? Will I be
relationships that I develop at this practice help able to still do the things that I enjoy?
me along my career path? How does the practice Think about your future career
bring people together?
Do you know what you want to be doing in
I find the best practices are those that work on five years?
fostering relationships – a simple barbecue or Perhaps you are thinking of a career as a rural GP
dinner with the team goes a long way. anaesthetist? Network with doctors who have
achieved this and ask them about the steps they
took to get there.
34 gpra.org.au – 1300 131 198

Perhaps you are interested in paediatrics? Whatever your plan is, write it down on paper
Consider doing a Diploma in Child Health. and let this guide the decisions you make about
Do you have an interest in medical education? where you practise. Keep in mind that your goals
may change and that this is okay.
Talk to people within your RTP about
how you can become an RLO or a registrar Thinking about your next practice can be a tricky
medical educator. decision, but it doesn’t have to be. Remember, if
you have any concerns or enquiries, talk to your
RLO or RTP program manager.

3 Exams – the finish line
An insider’s exam tips
Dr Letitia Clark has survived – The RTPs commonly run pre-exam workshops
and Letitia recommends that registrars take
and passed – her three fellowship advantage of whatever is on offer.
exams so she is well placed to Letitia says there is an abundance of exam
reveal a few insider’s tips for workshops available from different providers.
exam candidates. “I know GPRA offers exam preparation webinars,
which many people find valuable. And, of course,
Three down and one to go. there are other exam preparation courses and
seminars as well.”
That’s the exam scoreboard for Dr Letitia Clark,
a rural GP registrar from Warragul in Gippsland, The college websites contain some gems
Victoria, who is a survivor of exam day jitters – for independent exam study too, says Letitia.
and the joy of receiving a positive result. “One thing I found really useful was gplearning on
the RACGP website. The format of the modules
Letitia is a trainee GP anaesthetist. Her anaesthetist
is great because it’s question and answer.
role means she has four exams to complete rather
than the usual three in the RACGP fellowship “There’s another independent learning program
pathway. There’s more swotting ahead for her there called the check Program, which is very
anaesthetics exam but she has already passed the up to date. I used check for the things I didn’t
three exams for her RACGP fellowship. think Murtagh covered very well like topical or
legal issues.”
Letitia is also an RLO with Southern GP Training,
so sharing exam tips with her peers is part of Forming a small study group is another approach
her remit. that works well for many registrars, says Letitia.
Her advice to registrars preparing for exams Seeing patients can be equally effective, she adds.
is two-fold: know Murtagh, and practise lots of “I’d have my learning plan handy and whenever
exam questions. I came across something I felt a bit rusty on –
say community-acquired pneumonia – I’d note it in
“I read Murtagh’s General Practice from cover to
my learning plan and go home and look it up.”
cover and learnt the diagnostic triads. This is where
you have three symptoms together and it suggests In the clinic, Letitia says she “treated every
a certain diagnosis. I found the diagnostic triads are patient like an OSCE station for about a month
referred to a lot in the exams,” Letitia says. beforehand”.
“I also did lots of practice questions. I wrote “The oral exam is supposed to be based on a day
questions, other registrars wrote questions and in general practice. And I felt like it was. When I
we all did each other’s questions. I think that walked out of the exam I felt like I’d probably seen
practising exam questions over and over again the vast majority of the cases in the last two or
makes you understand how to answer them three weeks in the clinic.”
under exam conditions.”
38 gpra.org.au – 1300 131 198

“I wrote questions,
other registrars wrote
questions and we
all did each other’s
questions.”

Letitia grew up in a small country town in Letitia says she has only ever wanted to be a
Gippsland called Mirboo North and once dreamt rural GP – she loves the continuity of care. “I love
of a career in music rather than medicine. Her that I can be in emergency and one of my GP
youthful ambitions were shattered at 15 when she patients comes in and I can review them later
crashed through a glass door. She could no longer in the week and be really up with what’s been
play her beloved violin, double bass and piano happening with them.”
due to nerve damage in her right arm, and she Balancing work and family has required Letitia to
suddenly had a lot to do with doctors. do her training part-time – she and her husband
Surgery was required, and Letitia was treated by Stephen are parents to a four-year-old and seven-
a local orthopaedic surgeon. “He was a lovely year-old twins.
man but I was very struck by how tired he always Letitia has this piece of advice for GP registrar
looked because he worked so hard. I had a very mums: don’t be scared to ask for help.
innocent thought that we need more doctors
around here – and maybe I could be one.” “Getting someone to help clean your house, do
your ironing or cook some meals can make life
Letitia shared her thoughts with the surgeon and much easier when you are a busy working mum.
he was very encouraging, as were her local GP and
her country high school. “Don’t try to do it all yourself, especially when
you’re studying for your exams.”
After completing her medical degree at Monash
University, she spent time working in the United Written by Jan Walker
Kingdom. “My partner is Scottish and he wanted to

go back for a while,” she says. If you fail an exam…
“I heard the anaesthetic work over there If a disappointing exam result means you have to
was good and I was thinking about doing GP do a ‘take two’, Letitia has some tips.
• Don’t worry – no one thinks less of you.

anaesthetics. I got a really good critical care
position which was six months of emergency, 12
months of anaesthetics and some ICU as well so it
was a really great medical experience.”
• Take a few weeks off before you start studying
again.
It was an ideal grounding for Letitia’s current
workload – two days of anaesthetics at the local
• Discuss with a senior medical educator the
benefit and value of getting feedback on the
hospital, a day in the emergency department and exam from ACRRM or the RACGP.
a day in general practice.
She is also actively involved in GPRA as a member
• Try to change your studying to address the
areas you had issues with – don’t just do the
of the International Medical Graduate Committee same thing again.
and the Chair of the GP Registrar Emerging
Supervisor Network (GPRESN), a support group
• Do as many practice exams as you can. This will
increase your confidence and minimise your
for registrars and new fellows who are interested anxiety on the day.
in becoming a GP supervisor.
40 gpra.org.au – 1300 131 198

ACRRM and RACGP Fellowship

exams: Get ahead
Medical exams are tough, you don’t The tips
need us to tell you that! Seeking Tip 1: Think ahead
help, guidance and support is key Make sure you are properly prepared and ready
to sit each exam. If you’re not sure whether you’re
to passing the college fellowship ready to pass the exams, talk to your medical
exams. So get it early and get it educator. Don’t forget, you can only sit the exams
a limited number of times, and they are costly.
often and use the following tips
to guide you on your way. Tip 2: Make a head start on exam preparation
Take advantage of the information the college
websites provide. Take particular note of the
The facts assessment and examination information to assist
ACRRM Fellowship exams in formulating a study plan. Allow yourself at least
6–12 months of study time before the exam date.
GP registrars training towards fellowship of ACRRM
must pass the following exams and Primary Rural Tip 3: Make a realistic study plan
and Remote Training summative assessments: Make a study plan and spread out your study
evenly. It is equally important to schedule some
• Multiple Choice Question (MCQ) exam time off away from the books to unwind.You don’t
• Mini Clinical Evaluation Exercise (miniCEX) want to find yourself spending weeks on some
• Structured Assessment using Multiple Patient

areas of study, with barely any time left for others.
Scenarios (StAMPS) We all have areas that we enjoy studying more

than others, and it is easy to focus on those topics
• Multi-Source Feedback (MSF) at the expense of the rest of your studies. Identify
• Procedural Skills Logbook. your learning gaps early to make sure you don’t
make this mistake.
RACGP Fellowship exams
Tip 4: Study with others
General practice registrars training towards Consider forming a study group, either online or
fellowship of the RACGP must pass the following: in-person. Working with a small group enables
• Applied Knowledge Test (AKT) – a multiple

choice test completed on a computer
you to support and motivate each other, pool
resources and share strengths. It is a good idea to
begin meeting at least a year before your exams
• Key Feature Problems (KFP) exam – a
multiple choice and short answer test
and increase the frequency of meetings closer to
the exam date.
completed on a computer
GPRA members can place a free advertisement
• Objective Structured Clinical Exam (OSCE) –
14 face-to-face clinical ‘consultations’ conducted
for a study partner or group on our website
(see page 43 for further details).
with examiners and role players who are GPs.

Tip 5: Practice makes perfect your ability to practise independently within
Gather together as many relevant practice a professional network
questions as you can. Ask other registrars and
– greet your patient and introduce yourself,
recent fellows if they have any, search the college
ask for consent before examining, and pay
websites, you could even write your own! When
attention to hand-washing and hygiene
you are working with your study group, use
practice questions as a guide. You could read – use opportunities within a consultation for
topics together out loud and quiz each other on patient education and preventive health
clinical guidelines. Don’t forget to encourage your check-ups and advice.
study group to share practice questions via email. Tip 7: Be bold!
Many people are tempted to just read through You may be working with recent fellows in your
the cases, but it is more effective to practise them practice and meeting GPs at training sessions and
under timed exam conditions. When you are events during your training. Ask them for their
working with your study group, give each other advice and tips. Ask them if they have any study
feedback on the skills that you can’t learn from materials they would be happy to share with you!
a book such as communication skills, use of non- Tip 8: Look after yourself
medical language and analysis of research articles.
• Take regular breaks
Tip 6:The best practice occurs in general practice!
Remember that the exams are designed to assess • Make sure you exercise and eat healthily
your ability to practise as a GP. Therefore it makes • Take personal time out to ensure your wellbeing.
sense that direct general practice experience in Tip 9: Get the right resources
the clinic is central to passing. The following tips
are taken from the forthcoming GPRA publication,
• The soon to be released GPRA publication,
The general practice exam book, was written
The general practice exam book. by GPs for GP registrars – it’s the essential
• Develop an approach to your daily clinical

practice that incorporates key elements of
exam preparation resource. See 44 for
further details
the exam.
• The GPRA website exam section provides tips,
• When you see patients in the clinic: links to resources and practice case studies:
gpra.org.au
– demonstrate a systematic, clear, patient
centred and empathetic approach • For specific information about college exam
preparation and workshops refer to the
– cultivate a professional attitude, including relevant colleges:
good time management and attention to
ethical and legal issues – ACRRM: acrrm.org.au
– display medically sound judgement that – RACGP: racgp.org.au

ensures patient safety and demonstrates
42 gpra.org.au – 1300 131 198

Share the load... study with

your peers
A recent GPRA exam needs It’s a good idea to begin meeting at least one
year before your exams and then increase the
survey showed that over 75% of frequency of meetings as the exam date gets closer.
respondents found a peer study
GPRA members can place a free advertisement
group to be the most useful for a study partner on our website. Each
resource in study preparation. advertisement allows you to share something
about yourself, which exams you are preparing for
To assist with your exam preparation it is highly and how you would like to meet – online or
recommended that you consider joining or face-to-face. You can also advertise a vacancy in
forming a study group, one that either meets online your group for others who are looking for a study
or in person, or both. Technology such as Skype group to join.
and Google make effective study with anyone, The general practice exam book has tips on how to
anytime, anywhere around the country easy. get the most out of a study group. See page 44 for
Studying over a period of several months and further details.
working in a small group enables you to support Remember you are not alone in your exam
and motivate each other. Each member of the preparation… there are hundreds of doctors in
group will have different strengths to bring to the the same situation as you.
group, and together, any individual learning gaps
can be identified and strengthened.

Exam preparation
The essential tools
You’ve heard it before... practice and gives a general guideline on where you should
be from 12 months to one month out from the
makes perfect. GPRA’s exam
exam dates. The book also covers each of the
resources can help get you over the three exams specifically, providing tips for success
line. The latest, The general practice and highlighting common pitfalls.
exam book, provides all the tools The appendices include:
to help you survive – and hopefully
pass – your general practice exams.
•15withAKTa series

sample single best answer questions,
of answer options for five
extended matching questions
The latest
In a recent GPRA exam needs survey, registrars
•15answers

sample KFP questions, followed by the
and a discussion
who recently passed their exams felt that tips from
recently fellowed GPs and peers were the most •10 OSCE practice case scenarios.
effective resource in helping them prepare for
The general practice exam book will hit the
exams. With this in mind, GPRA developed
shelves in late 2014 and will be available for
The general practice exam book, written by GPs
purchase online. Visit gpra.org.au for updates
for GP registrars.
The GP authors each bring valuable advice and tips
drawn from their own experiences in preparing
The best of the rest
for the exams. Dr Kath O’Connor, a former GPRA has worked with GPs and GP registrars
medical editor with Australian Family Physician and to provide a range of practice cases to help you
the check Program, is the medical editor. Kath also prepare (these cases are based on the clinical
authored the chapter on how to stay sane while experiences of registrars and are not aimed to
studying and, importantly, how to look after reflect past exam content).
yourself during this intense and stressful time. Members can also access case studies by Professor
While the names and acronyms for exams vary John Murtagh. These cases provide engaging,
from college to college, they are all similar in authentic examples from clinical practice and
format. For ease of usage this publication uses the highlight some of the common mistakes and
terms pertaining to the RACGP exams, but the difficulties that GPs can encounter.
content is equally relevant to ACRRM exams and
Clinical case studies can be found on the GPRA
many overseas general practice exams.
website at gpra.org.au
The general practice exam book provides tips on
how to formulate a study plan that really works
44 gpra.org.au – 1300 131 198

The
general practice
exam book
Kath O’Connor
Rachel Oommen
Robin Park
Fabian Schwarz
Tammra Warby
Yashar Aliabadi Zadeh

GPRA
Number one priority
webinars
– looking after yourself
Last year GPRA ran over 30
webinars with more than 1000
participants logging in.
Each year GPRA runs a number of exam
preparation webinars. A webinar is an interactive
online workshop that can be joined from
anywhere you can access the internet. Participants
view documents and resources via their computer,
while shared audio allows for the presentation
to be heard.
GP registrars and new fellows – all of who have
survived and passed their exams – present
our webinars. Participants can interact with
the presenters and other peers, hearing their
concerns and questions and learning how to apply
their knowledge to studying for the exams. It’s a
great chance to ask the presenters about their
experience of the exam, exam preparation and
tips for managing the process.
Webinars are held weekday evenings at 8 pm
AEST and run for 1.5 hours. Our webinars are
also recorded, which means they can be replayed
at a time that’s convenient to you. All you need
is a computer and an internet connection
– it’s that easy!
“I would really like to thank you for organising
these webinars. It was quite informative and I really
appreciate the fact that we could participate in the
discussions from home. Looking forward to more of
these.” Priya, GP registrar, WA
Visit gpra.org.au or email

webinars@gpra.org.au for more information
about upcoming webinars
46 gpra.org.au – 1300 131 198

Striking a balance
Recent GP fellow Dr Cass Wys She believes exercise can help you stay fit physically
and mentally, and she regularly works out at the
is a member and past Chair of gym with a personal trainer.
GPRA’s Wellbeing Committee. “Normally I feel a bit wiped out after a day at
Having weathered a firestorm of work because I’m talking to people non-stop.
stress on her GP journey, she has At the gym it’s my time. I can listen to my music
and just zone out. Then when I come home I feel
learnt ways to manage the strain like a new person. I can sit with my daughter and
for a happy work-life balance. I’ve got the patience of a saint.”
Cass is actively involved in registrar wellness issues
2013 was a massive year for Dr Cass Wys.
as a member, and past Chair, of GPRA’s Wellbeing
“I was studying for exams. I was working full-time Committee. “I think stress is an intrinsic part of the
in four or five different roles. I was looking after job. And if you don’t learn how to manage it early
my then two-year-old daughter. On top of that, my you’ll be in big trouble later down the track,”
partner Matt had a fly-in, fly-out job and was away she says.
for three weeks out of four.
“A lot of doctors are type A personalities with
“By Friday I had brain fatigue and couldn’t think perfectionist tendencies. We strive to accomplish
clearly. It was an incredibly stressful year and at the highest level possible, we bite off more than
something had to give.” we can chew and we have a fear of failure.”
The couple sat down and reassessed their For GP registrars, there’s a perfect storm of
priorities. Cass opted to work four days a week multiple stressors, continues Cass. Moving from the
instead of five with an hour for lunch (“I think familiar hospital system to the unfamiliar realm of
that’s important”), an early finish and no weekend general practice is stressful in itself.
work. Her partner found a new job with no fly-in,
“It’s actually incredibly tiring,” Cass observes.
fly out travel.
“You’re now seeing patients every 15 minutes or
Now, with her exams behind her and a more so. In hospital you have the luxury of a bit more
forgiving work schedule in place, Cass is enjoying time to order tests and get results. In general
life again. practice you have to make a plan then and there.
Cass is a strong advocate for looking after yourself The clinical decision-making can be quite uncertain,
so you can look after others. She now makes especially in the first term.”
sure she schedules some ‘me time’ with a weekly The clinical aspect is only part of the picture, Cass
massage in her lunch break. says. You’re adjusting to new people, new systems,
how Medicare works, and a new way of earning
an income.
48 gpra.org.au – 1300 131 198

“Try not to sweat

on the small things
and if in doubt
ask for help.”

Her favourite wellbeing tips for new registrars? “There are two sides to every story and often
“Try not to sweat on the small things and if in things can be resolved with some support and
doubt ask for help. mediation. But sometimes you get a registrar who
“There are some great resources on the GPRA just isn’t flourishing and all it takes is a change of
website including a wellbeing checklist. I’d like to environment and they just bloom.”
see it on every registrar’s wall,” she adds with Cass says she always wanted to be a doctor. As a
a laugh. bright student, being a doctor seemed a natural
Occasionally, registrars confront serious problems extension of the caring, protective role she played
with their placement, Cass says. Workplace bullying, as the eldest child in a family of five girls.
for instance. As a registrar liaison officer with Cass studied medicine at Otago University in
Tropical Medical Training in Far North Queensland, Dunedin, New Zealand. Money was tight so she
Cass says she was required to advocate in a often worked up to 30 hours a week doing bar
number of cases of GP registrar bullying. work, waitressing and making hamburgers in
“Workplace bullying is repetitive behaviour that McDonalds to pay her way while studying.
makes a registrar feel intimidated, worried or upset. During her intern year, Cass met her partner Matt
“The idea of going to work may make them feel ill. and in 2008 they moved to Cairns where she
Physically they may get palpitations or the shakes completed her postgraduate and GP vocational
or a dry mouth.” training. Along the way, their daughter Alyssa
was born.
Workplace bullying can take many forms. It could
be constant and unreasonable negative criticism by The family recently moved from Cairns to
a staff member or supervisor. Or it could be subtle, Mooloolaba on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast
like a hush descending on the tearoom every time where Cass works at Brightwater Medical Centre
the registrar walks in because co-workers were seeing a mix of young families and retirees.
gossiping about them. Cass also has an interest in sports medicine, having
“As an RLO, I had to organise for two registrars worked in an orthopaedic practice in Cairns, and
to switch practices because of workplace bullying,” has recently developed an interest in dermatology
Cass says. and cosmetic medicine.
“If a GP registrar believes they are being bullied, “One reason I love general practice is the diversity
they should contact GPRA and let them know the of career paths,” she says. “I’ve just done my first
situation. They should also speak to their RLO as course in cosmetic medicine and this is going to be
they are the registrar’s advocate and should be an exciting new avenue for me. General practice
able to help sort out the issue. The RLO may want is what you make it and you can mould it to
to discuss it further with the registrar’s RTP for whatever interests you have.”
further support and advice. Written by Jan Walker
50 gpra.org.au – 1300 131 198


You’re not alone
Peer around the corner the list is endless, but it is never something to be
Remember you are part of the Australian General embarrassed about. It’s often a good idea to share
Practice Training program. There are thousands of your feelings and concerns about feeling fatigued
other GP registrars also undertaking the training. with your peers – they are probably as tired as
Whether you are in a busy town or on an island, you are!
your peers can be a great support in so many ways. Can GPRA help?
All registrars have access to a registrar liaison Recognising fatigue as a major problem for
officer (RLO). RLOs are GP registrars employed by registrars, a GPRA committee, working in
regional training providers to provide pastoral care, conjunction with other stakeholders, examined
information and support to other GP registrars. If the problem and used their findings to produce
you are located in a rural or remote area, you may a statement of principles and discussion paper.
not get the chance to meet your RLO face-to-face, The paper, Fatigue Management in Vocational
but know that they are available via phone calls and General Practice Training: Statement of Principles and
emails. If you are located remotely, ask your RLO if Discussion Paper, draws on a number of sources
they can put you in touch with other registrars. to suggest methods of addressing the issue within
See page 61 for more information about how to general practice and is well worth reading, even if
find your RLO. you don’t currently suffer from fatigue. It is equally
Remember: Most problems or work situations you valuable in developing strategies to avoid
encounter are often resolved or supported when this hazard.
you talk to a peer. To view the Fatigue Management in Vocational
General Practice Training: Statement of Principles and
Workplace issues Discussion Paper, visit gpra.org.au
Feeling exhausted?
I’m just not coping...
Fatigue is a huge problem for doctors at all stages
Sometimes the sheer volume of the competing
of their career. It can compromise both the safe
priorities of work, study, relationships and home
provision of high quality care to patients, and also
life can seem overwhelming. This doesn’t mean
the health and wellbeing of you, the doctor. It can
you are suffering from depression or exhausted,
affect how you work – and also how you study.
but rather it is a normal reaction that we all
It can have an impact on how you relate to your
experience from time-to-time.
peers, practice staff and patients.
If you are feeling like this, take time out:
If you have suffered from fatigue, you will have
experienced an acute, ongoing state of tiredness. Have a weekend away from study and work. Treat
It can lead to mental or physical exhaustion and yourself to a massage. Take a yoga class. Go for a
prevent you from functioning within normal run. Change your routine. Get a babysitter for the
boundaries. There are many causes of fatigue, night or weekend. Reconnect with loved ones, or
including working long hours, stressful case loads, simply turn your phone and email off for a day and
the competing demands of family, work, study… do something you really want to do – for you.

I’m being bullied – what can I do? There is no ‘one size fits all’ approach to being a
Workplace bullying is a serious concern and a supportive bystander. The following suggestions
behaviour that no one should be subjected to. may assist supportive bystanders in taking safe and
effective action:
As a trainee, it can be particularly difficult to know
what to do if you are being bullied at work. Bullying
behaviour can impact your health, self-esteem and
• If you witness bullying, consider standing close
to the person who is being bullied
your enjoyment of life. If you are being bullied at
work, GPRA urges you to report the problem. This
• Make it clear that you won’t be involved in
bullying behaviour
• Support
usually means reporting it to your GP supervisor
the person who is being bullied.
and/or director of training. If you can’t speak to
Suggest they ask for help: for example, go with
them for whatever reason, you can approach
your RLO, or please call GPRA for a confidential them to a place they can get help or provide
discussion on 03 9629 8878. them with information about where to go for
help (such as GPRA)
•
Some types of workplace bullying are criminal
offences. If you have experienced violence, assault Report the bullying to someone in authority
or stalking for example, these matters should be or someone you trust at work. If the bullying is
reported to the police as a matter of course. serious, report it to the police; if the bullying
occurs on social media, report it
What if I witness someone else
being bullied? • Make notes of what you have witnessed:
the time, place, how and by whom.
People respect those who stand up for others.
But being a supportive bystander can be tough.
Sometimes it’s not easy to work out how to safely
assist someone who you suspect is being bullied
because bullying occurs in many ways.
“Workplace bullying means any behaviour that

is repeated, systematic and directed towards an
employee or group of employees that a reasonable
person, having regard to the circumstances,
would expect to victimise, humiliate, undermine
or threaten and which creates a risk to health
and safety.” Section 55A (1) of the Occupational Health, Safety and Welfare Act 1986
52 gpra.org.au – 1300 131 198

Staying sane
Tips to get you through
Maintaining sanity during your • Recognise your signs of stress:
training is vital. Dr Belinda Allan, – psychological – ruminating about work,
GP registrar and GPRA Wellbeing inability to unwind, waking up anxious, low
mood, general anxiety, perfectionism,
Committee Secretary shares
irritability or mood swings, pessimism, feeling
her wellbeing tips. overwhelmed or inadequate, reduced
• debrief
concentration, difficulty making decisions
Have another registrar or friend that you can
with at the end of a tough day. – physical – fatigue, headaches, muscular aches,
• pipeline
insomnia, gastrointestinal upsets, palpitations,
Always have a holiday or long weekend in the and dermatological disorders
to look forward to.
• mark
– lifestyle – problems in your relationships,
Do something on a Friday night for pleasure to increased use of alcohol or drugs, lower
the end of your working week (even if tolerance of life stressors, social isolation,
you have to work weekends). decrease in performance at work, increased
• your
Always have one activity a week, booked into
diary which you do not cancel, that is just
number of sick days, loss of hobbies or
outside interests.
for enjoyment, such as yoga, sport, music, art
or a hobby. • essential!)
Have your own GP (don’t laugh – this is
– make an appointment at least once
• Make exercise a part of your working week. every 12 months (and include a mental
• before
Learn relaxation techniques and use them health check-up).
sleep, depending on your beliefs this may
include breathing techniques, mindfulness,
• trust
Be honest – have someone in your life that you
and can confide in about stress.
meditation or prayer.
• someone
Speak up early! Contact your RLO, GPRA or
• help
Learn to leave work at work, debriefing can
with this.
you trust about issues in your
practice with your supervisor or RTP that
• doing
Learn to turn off your analytical brain, consider are affecting your stress levels.
something creative or pleasurable instead
such as listening to or making music or art, or
• Ask your fellow registrars how they are going
– you’d be surprised how many of us are going
spending time in your garden. through a similar experience.
• work
Have a wind-down ritual, such as getting out of
clothes, having a shower, eating a nutritious GPRA has a dedicated self-care section on their
meal, doing exercise, having time alone or website, including support programs, advice from
spending time with loved ones. GPs and more. Visit gpra.org.au or phone the
GPRA registrar services team on 03 9629 8878

If things go wrong
Ask for help
Occasionally during your general In some circumstances, the RLO can act on behalf
of a registrar if the registrar feels that they are
practice training, things may not unable to confront the issue themselves. In general,
go exactly as planned. If you find most problems can be resolved locally with the
yourself in difficulty, remember practice or RTP. Your RTP will also have a staff
member as a point-of-contact for registrars.
that GPRA can provide support
GPRA has a dedicated registrar services team you
and assistance. can contact if you are not comfortable talking to
your RLO or RTP for any reason. They can double-
Occasionally, registrars find themselves in situations
check that the information you have been given is
where they are unhappy about some aspect of
correct, provide suggestions on how to approach
their training. This may include practice placement,
a difficult situation or help solve larger problems.
relocation, educational issues, interpersonal
We help by discussing matters thoroughly with
problems or employment disputes.
the registrar, can speak directly with the RTP to
If you find yourself in this type of situation, don’t straighten out any misunderstanding, and provide
worry, you are not alone. There are many people representation and assistance with appeals.
involved in general practice training who are
Document the evidence
specifically employed to assist you with these
difficulties. If you are in a fix, the best advice we The first thing we will advise you to do in the
can give you is to let someone know – and let event of a dispute is to document the relevant
them know as soon as possible. events and evidence. Make a note of times and
dates, make notes of any verbal advice you are
The dedicated GPRA registrar services team
given, retain copies of correspondence and try
is available for you to talk about any problems
to stick to factual occurrences. Always be civil
or difficulties you may encounter with your
and professional in your dealings, as this will go
training. Our team can be contacted by email at
a long way in supporting your case if a formal
registrarenquiries@gpra.org.au or by phoning
dispute arises.
03 9629 8878. All matters are treated as
confidential. We are an independent body run What if I need to take it further?
by registrars, for the benefit of all registrars. If your issue does not seem to be resolved to
Talk to someone your satisfaction, you may wish to escalate the
matter further. Every RTP has an appeals process,
The most appropriate person to talk to depends
and should that not resolve the issue, there is a
on what the problem is and how you want to go
further appeals process for the AGPT program
about dealing with it. Your RLOs are always there
administered by the Department of Health.
on the front line to support and advise you no
matter what the problem. RLOs are registrars GPRA offers valuable assistance and advice during
too, and it is a part of their job to provide peer these processes. We have been involved in registrar
support to you. appeals of all types, so don’t hesitate to talk to us
if you find yourself in this situation. Often early
54 gpra.org.au – 1300 131 198

intervention and discussion results in better

outcomes for all parties. Contact us as soon as you
realise you may need outside help in a situation.
Sometimes issues arise that indicate the possibility
of a systemic problem, for example, a policy or
situation that is disadvantaging a particular group
of registrars. GPRA can act to collaborate with
or lobby the relevant stakeholders to review and
change their policies. Once again, GPRA has been
involved in and advocated on many issues within
the AGPT program that have resulted in positive
change for all registrars.
Dispute resolution guidelines,
policies and appeals
If a dispute arises, you need to be aware of
relevant policies. Many RTPs have dispute resolution
policies available on their websites. If you cannot
find yours, contact your RLO. AGPT also has
policies, which are available from the Department
of Health or GPRA.
AGPT appeals are initiated when a registrar wishes
to appeal a decision made by their RTP. These
appeals are a last resort when all else has failed
and this is the final appeals process within the
AGPT program.
Remember, all employees are covered by national
and state legislation relating to employment
including maternity leave, discrimination, sexual
harassment and bullying.
Look after yourself
Dealing with a dispute or conflict can place extra
stress and pressure on you when you are already
dealing with the many challenges of being a GP
registrar (clinical practice, study, exam preparation).
It is important that you pay attention to your own
wellbeing. Refer to the looking after yourself and
wellbeing articles on pages 51–53.

Healthy Profession.
Healthy Australia.
Access a wide variety of exam

support tools to help with
your journey to Fellowship!
Exam papers
Gain insight into the questions in the Applied Knowledge Test
(AKT) and Key feature Problems (KFP) exams.
Mock-up exam workshops in your local area

See what the exam is like, by enrolling in RACGP workshops.
Practice exam online

Test your knowledge and gain practical experience anytime
anywhere through the Exam Support Online (ESO) program
on gplearning.
check case studies

Prepare for the RACGP exam through a series of clinical
cases followed by multiple choice questions.
Discounts on Thursday evening pre-exam

tutorial series – 11 DVD set
A 19-week tutorial DVD series, perfect for those in rural
areas who can’t make it to face-to-face workshops.
Visit www.racgp.org.au to become a member today!

5 Training resources
A few of my favourite things
Dr Sidya Raghavan is a medical straight away. I’m a very paper-based person so

I like to have a hard copy.”
educator and former RLO with
Running a close second to Murtagh, says Sidya,
Queensland Rural Medical is Therapeutic Guidelines. “It’s Australian based
Education who recently achieved and it gives you the guidelines and what to do,”
fellowship. Here she shares her she explains.
go-to resources for clinical work A strong trend in doctors’ resources is the mobile
phone app. Sidya says that while she’s not generally
and exam preparation. an early adopter she has an app for UpToDate
that she finds extremely valuable.
Ask 10 GP registrars to list their favourite resources
and you will probably get 10 different answers. “UpToDate is an American-based website, used a
lot on hospital intranets. It gives you information
Today the digital age has revolutionised what’s on what sort of investigations to do and the usual
on offer. There is an ever-expanding plethora of treatment modality.
online resources accessible on desktop and mobile
digital devices. These range from medical learning “It’s helped me to move forward or at least manage
platforms to clinical guidelines produced by a patient I’m not sure about when I didn’t have
expert authorities. access to a supervisor during my training years.”
Then there’s the brave new world of FOAMed Paediatric cases have Sidya thumbing through
The Royal Children’s Hospital Paediatric Handbook
(free open access medical education) as well as
or browsing the information freely available on
doctors who blog, tweet and chat on Facebook
their website. It’s a great resource for practising
with their peer group to share professional insights,
paediatric stations, looking up guidelines or even
clinical conundrums and links to articles across the
generating parent information handouts, she says.
web – often with some witty repartee thrown in.
For absolute beginners to general practice, Sidya
And, of course, the traditional hard copy book
says one resource stands out. GP Companion is a
remains a reliable standby.
pocket reference guide produced by GPRA, but it’s
Dr Sidya Raghavan is a medical educator and equally handy for all GP registrars.
former RLO with Queensland Rural Medical
“GP Companion is a fantastic little book. It’s a quick
Education who has taught and advised many GP
guide to lots of simple, basic things,” she says.
registrars on their way to fellowship. And she’s
happy to share her highly personal list of favourites. The RTPs provide online learning platforms for
their registrars, a series of modules for self-directed
Sidya confesses to being a little old-fashioned when
learning. “One of the main resources I used in
it comes to her number one choice. “Definitely
my first year of training was GPRime,” Sidya says.
Murtagh,” she says with a laugh.
“We had to go through modules, we had cases to
“Murtagh’s General Practice was, and still is, a bible work out, and based on that framework we did
for us. I always have it in my room so I can access it regular sessions with our supervisor. It was very
helpful to me.”
80
58 Visit
gpra.org.au
our website
– 1300– gpra.org.au
131 198
“Murtagh’s General
Practice was, and still
is, a bible for us.”

When preparing for exams, Sidya also made use of that we go to and we usually go in traditional
her RTP’s access to the British Medical Journal – a clothes so we remember what our roots are. I
great source of cases and exam questions. believe it’s important for the kids, because it’s so
Some of her colleagues joined a Facebook study easy for them to forget.”
group organised by QRME for exam preparation. Written by Jan Walker
Sometimes it’s a matter of trial and error to find

out what works best for you, Sidya advises. Sidya’s top five resources
Sidya grew up and completed her medical degree
in Chennai, India. “My mum was an obstetrician and
•
John Murtagh’s General Practice
mheducation.com.au
gynaecologist, and my dad was a general surgeon.
Hard copy and online for desktop, iPad and
My brother did medicine as well. There are about
iPhone. Available for purchase
14 doctors in the family so I was pretty much
expected to become a doctor,” she says.
• tg.org.au
Therapeutic Guidelines
Sidya and her husband Srinivas, a research
academic, migrated to Australia a few years ago. Hard copy and online. Available for purchase
Following a short break for the birth of her first but is often provided by the practice or RTP
•
child she resumed her postgraduate training at
UpToDate
Redland Hospital, Brisbane before moving to
Toowoomba for her general practice training. uptodate.com
US online clinical decision-making tool used
She originally planned to become an obstetrician
internationally. Available for purchase but is
like her mother. However, she decided to channel
often provided by the practice or RTP
her interest in women’s health into general
practice instead – an option more compatible with
family life.
• The Royal Children’s Hospital
Paediatric Handbook
Sidya was recently awarded her fellowship. “I didn’t rch.org.au
think it would be so big for me, but when it came Comprehensive paediatric reference book from
through I went woohoo!” she says. She now works The Royal Children’s Hospital, Melbourne. Hard
at The Range Medical Centre in Toowoomba and copy available for purchase. Information is also
as a medical educator with QRME. freely available on their website
•
As an international doctor, Sidya has a personal
GP Companion
insight into the issues faced by migrant registrars
gpra.org.au
and is heavily involved in GPRA’s International
Medical Graduate Committee. The essential pocket reference for general
practice registrars, junior doctors and medical
When she gets any spare time, Sidya loves to cook
students from GPRA. Hard copy available for
Indian dishes and celebrate the customs of her
purchase at a special price for GPRA members
homeIand. “There’s a [Hindu] temple in Brisbane
60 gpra.org.au – 1300 131 198

Registrar liaison officers

Support on the ground
Registrar liaison officers are the RLO may have a role as a ‘sounding board’ and
support person. They may listen to the complaint,
GP registrars who provide direct the registrar to further support, or may
pastoral care, information assist with anonymous or identified enquiries with
and support. the RTP.
RLOs are also available to provide emotional
The core objectives of the registrar liaison officer support to registrars experiencing personal
(RLO) position are to: difficulties.
• Act as a liaison between GP registrars in their
region and the regional training provider (RTP)
RLOs can facilitate social or group events that may
help registrars debrief and support each other,
• Advocate and represent registrar interests at
several levels
particularly for those living in rural or remote
areas. If you find yourself in a position where you
• Provide support to GP registrars in their region. are struggling or feeling isolated, your RLO can
provide support via phone calls and emails. They
Advocacy and representation may also be helpful with putting you in touch with
Registrars on the AGPT program can contact their other doctors in the area or with social networks.
RLO confidentially to discuss any aspect of their
training and employment. Your RLO may refer you
to the appropriate person or group to resolve a
particular problem, assist in mediating a dispute,
or they may just hear you out when you have an
issue. RLOs will often be able to answer a question
on the spot.
RLOs also represent registrar concerns and
opinions at the RTP level and nationally via the
GPRA Advisory Council.
Pastoral care
Pastoral care is an important part of the RLO
position. It is inappropriate for an RLO to enter Dr Julia Coshan, RLO for Beyond Medical Education, at the
into a patient-doctor type relationship with any GPRA Advisory Council meeting, Brisbane, September 2014
of their registrar colleagues. However, they can
refer registrars to a GP or other appropriate
health professional. Contact your RTP to find out who your local
RLOs are, or refer to the GPRA RLO directory at
When a placement is not going well for a registrar,
gpra.org.au
or if there is a dispute with the RTP or practice,

The AGPT program
Endpoint qualifications
and fellowships
FACRRM FRACGP
qualiﬁcations qualiﬁcations
(ACRRM) (RACGP)
Core clinical Possible Hospital

Year one training time equivalence* training time
12 months 12 months
+ +
Primary rural and Joint training GP terms
Year two remote training opportunities are GPT1 – 6 months
2 x 6 months available † GPT2 – 6 months
+ +
Primary rural and Joint training GPT3 – 6 months
Year three remote training opportunities are
Extended skills
2 x 6 months available † – 6 months
+ FRACGP (VR)
Year four Advanced Possible Advanced

Note: Fourth year specialised equivalence* skills training
is for FACRRM and training for FARGP
FARGP candidates 12 months (12 months)
FACRRM (VR)
* Credit given for AGPT training already undertaken towards one fellowship, prior to undertaking a second or third fellowship
†
Can be achieved in dual-accredited practices or posts
Note: Although this table is presented in a linear format, both colleges have flexible training options to enable registrars to plan
their training around their own needs and interests. See the college websites for more information
62 gpra.org.au – 1300 131 198

Resources for the road
There is a vast range of resources Continuity of care and preventive medicine
available on the journey towards • ACRRM offers their registrars clinical guidelines
for mobile devices: acrrm.org.au
fellowship. Many are free, and
some may already be available at • The RACGP offers a range of free and
member-only guidelines, including preventive
your practice, hospital or through activities in general practice, putting prevention
into practice, smoking cessation and aged care:
your RTP. Recently fellowed GP, racgp.org.au
Dr Fabian Schwarz, shares his Referrals
resource tips for the road ahead.
• AMA referrals position statement:
ama.com.au
In the clinic • Registrar liaison officers are valuable when
referring to tertiary hospitals
Common presentations
General practice is a lot about having an approach • Familiarise yourself with the health professionals
in your area, introduce yourself and network.
to deal with the unknown, and ultimately to assess
and manage risks. Common presentations well Ask your colleagues and practice manager.
covered by GP-friendly resources include: Ask your patients too
• Australian Family Physician: racgp.org.au Other online resources
• Australian Prescriber: australianprescriber.com • AMA offers a range of resources including a
•
GP desktop practice support toolkit (member
GP Companion by GPRA: gpra.org.au access only): ama.com.au
•
(discounted price for GPRA members)
• How to Treat by Australian Doctor:

Better Health Channel (patient handouts):
betterhealth.vic.gov.au
•
australiandoctor.com.au
• John Murtagh’s General Practice:

Blogs written by GPs and registrars can be
useful during training. For a list of reviewed
mheducation.com.au blogs and podcasts, visit gpra.org.au
• Medicine Today: medicinetoday.com.au • gplearning by the RACGP:
• Royal Children’s Hospital Melbourne: gplearning.racgp.org.au
rch.org.au/rch/health-professionals
• MBS online: mbsonline.gov.au
• Rural and Remote Medical Education Online • Medical Observer: medicalobserver.com.au
•
(RRMEO): rrmeo.com
• The NICE pathways: pathways.nice.org.uk

Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS):
pbs.gov.au
• Therapeutic Guidelines and eTG complete:
tg.org.au • Think GP: thinkgp.com.au

The business end Time management
Contracts – a necessity Time management and communication skills are
part of the art of medicine, ultimately benefiting
GPRA is your one-stop-shop for everything
your patients. Typing skills and recording key
contracts, offering webinars and clued-up RLOs to
information during your consultation (where
assist you. Their publications, More than Money and
appropriate) can actually assist you in getting it
the Terms and Conditions Benchmarking Report are
right! The following book may be useful:
available to assist with contract negotiations. Visit
The Ultimate Time Management Guide for GPs
gpra.org.au
by Hugh Kearns and Maria Gardiner (purchase
Billing – what is that? through admin@ithinkwell.com.au).
Correct billing will allow you to get remunerated Key organisations
• Australian
for the work that you do. More information about
College of Rural and Remote
percentages and other money matters can be
Medicine (ACRRM): acrrm.org.au
obtained through GPRA, visit gpra.org.au
• Medicare: medicareaustralia.gov.au/provider/ • Australian General Practice Training (AGPT):

agpt.com.au
business/education/e-learning.jsp
• Medicare quick reference guides: • Australian Government Department of

Health (DoH): health.gov.au
medicareaustralia.gov.au/provider/business/
education/quick-reference-guides.jsp • Australian Medical Association (AMA):
• MBS cheat sheet by NT Remote Health Atlas:

ama.com.au
http://remotehealthatlas.nt.gov.au/medicare_
cheat_sheet_mbs.pdf
• General Practice Registrars Australia (GPRA):
gpra.org.au
• Veterans’ affairs/DVA information:

dva.gov.au/service_providers/Pages/index.aspx
• Medicare Australia:
medicareaustralia.gov.au/provider
Tip: Don’t be afraid to ask your practice manager • National Prescribing Service (NPS): nps.org.au
or reception staff to help out with the basics when
you start out. If you don’t know a specific MBS or
• Rural Health Education Foundation (RHEF):
rhef.com.au
DVA code, then simply inform your front staff of
the length and type of appointment (eg. <5 min, • Rural Health Workforce Australia (RHWA):
rhwa.org.au
<20 min).You will soon get the hang of it.
Medicolegal stuff • The Royal Australian College of General
Practitioners (RACGP): racgp.org.au
Your indemnity insurance provider should be the
first point-of-contact. However, Australian Family • Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA):
tga.gov.au
Physician, Medical Observer, Medical Journal of
Australia and Australian Doctor have all published
medicolegal articles worth reading. Check out
their websites for details.
64 gpra.org.au – 1300 131 198 GP Registrar – The essential guide for general practice registrars 89
GPRA is the peak national
body for GP registrars.
Run by registrars, for registrars.
GPRA produces a range of resources to support 2015
registrars throughout their training and GP Registrar Terms and Conditions
assessment. Contact the registrar services team The essential
guide for general
Benchmarking Report
2014
to find out how GPRA can help you.

practice registrars
GP Registrar
The essential guide for GP registrars.
Benchmarking report
Power up your negotiations! Inside
Find out what other registrars earn. Exam preparation

Training resources
In-practice teaching resource

Maximise your in-practice teaching experience. In-practice teaching resource More than Money
A negotiation guide for GP registrars
More than Money

A negotiation guide for registrars in training and
post fellowship who are negotiating a contract.
Exams
Tips, case studies, webinars and a new exam book
– we have you covered.
National Terms and Conditions document
Your employment terms and conditions have
Secure your win-win employment agreement
already been negotiated.

GPRA website
The latest news and information for registrars; The
keeping you informed during your training. general practice
exam book
Kath O’Connor
Rachel Oommen
Robin Park
Fabian Schwarz
Tammra Warby
Yashar Aliabadi Zadeh
1300 131 198

gpra.org.au
Supporting
general
practice
registrars
1300 131 198

gpra.org.au

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2015

Dr. Michael Nguyen

Avant. Experience when it matters most.

To find out more, call 1800 128 268

GP Registrar: The essential guide for general practice registrars

Editorial team Graphic Designer: Peter Fitzgerald

2 gpra.org.au – 1300 131 198

guide for general

physician and surgeon. Read Jas’ story on page 18.

5 Message from the Chair 3 Exams – the finish line

GP Registrar – The essential guide for general practice registrars 3

“ I am part of MDA National because … See what our Members say.

On behalf of General Practice Registrars Australia

GP Registrar – The essential guide for general practice registrars 5

The replacement art is landscape

8 gpra.org.au – 1300 131 198

“We should all

GP Registrar – The essential guide for general practice registrars 9

10 gpra.org.au – 1300 131 198

Introducing General Practice

• Produce and facilitate professional

• Support registrar liaison officers (RLOs) in

• Represent the views of general practice

Registrar membership • The opportunity to contribute to committees

• Advice on the National Terms and

• Professional exam preparation, financial and

12 gpra.org.au – 1300 131 198

How the committees work International medical graduates

14 gpra.org.au – 1300 131 198

Rural issues The networks

GP Registrar – The essential guide for general practice registrars 15

• Teaching to a number of different levels,

• Working with RTPs to plan and deliver

For more information about joining GPRMEN

Dr Patrick McCarthy, GPRMEN Chair and

16 gpra.org.au – 1300 131 198

18 gpra.org.au – 1300 131 198

“Make sure you

GP Registrar – The essential guide for general practice registrars 19

20 gpra.org.au – 1300 131 198

Your first placement

GP Registrar – The essential guide for general practice registrars 23

• Make sure you have a signed contract.

• Experiment with software. Use a fake patient

• Investigate common equipment:

24 gpra.org.au – 1300 131 198

• Check how to fill up and use liquid nitrogen

• Ask for a list of local services and their phone

26 gpra.org.au – 1300 131 198

GP Registrar – The essential guide for general practice registrars 27

Various incentive schemes are General Practice Rural

• RA1 – major cities Australia

28 gpra.org.au – 1300 131 198

National Terms and

GP Registrar – The essential guide for general practice registrars 29

Find your benchmark

The aim of the GPRA Terms and The report covers:

Conditions Benchmarking Report • general demographics

Average weekly earnings

GP Registrar – The essential guide for general practice registrars 31