ACRRM the only medical College continuing to provide Registrar training and assessment during COVID-19

Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, the Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine (ACRRM), training and assessment program is operating ‘as usual’ with more than 60 registrars sitting assessments last weekend.

The College is the only specialist College in Australia enabling registrars to continue uninterrupted on their Fellowship pathway.

The Structured Assessment using Multiple Patient Scenarios (StAMPS) assessment was successfully conducted, with registrars and examiners using secure and easy-to-use video technology. Each candidate was overseen by an on-site invigilator required as part of the strict policies and guidelines governing the exam process, while ACRRM staff moderated from the College’s central office.

Chair of the ACRRM Assessment Committee Professor Tarun Sen Gupta says the College undertook extensive testing and review of the process, before going ahead with its implementation.

“ACRRM is an agile organisation with a robust Fellowship program specifically designed to provide doctors with the flexibility they need to provide their communities with the healthcare they deserve,” Prof Sen Gupta says.

“While COVID-19 has significantly impacted everyone’s work and lifestyle, we have taken every step to ensure our registrars’ career goals can continue to be met.

“What we are demonstrating during this pandemic,” Prof Sen Gupta says, “is that we are fully committed to supporting our registrars and we have the skills, knowledge and technology to be able to modify our delivery while maintaining our strict guidelines and regulations.

“Credit must go to the examiners and College staff who are working from rural and remote locations throughout Australia to oversee this innovative mode of assessment delivery.”

This is not the first time the College has delivered its assessment program remotely using technology. 

 “Having the capability to do this, provides the added benefit that our rural and remote communities, which are also experiencing the impacts of COVID-19, are not left without access to their doctor, who would otherwise have to travel to undertake assessment,” Prof Sen Gupta explains.

ACRRM Registrar Committee Chairperson Dr Allison Hempenstall says: “Choosing to undertake Fellowship training with ACRRM means we take on a four-year full-time training and education program and having that program stalled for reasons outside our control would seriously impact career plans moving forward.

 “Registrars dedicate their time and energy and sacrifice a lot to achieve Fellowship as a Rural Generalist (RG) and we do that because we are passionate about providing health care to the communities where it is most needed.

“Knowing our College is supporting us to achieve that is not only encouraging, but also inspiring.”

“COVID-19 has certainly provided its challenges,” Prof Sen Gupta adds.

“But, as a College established for Rural Generalists by Rural Generalists, it demonstrates we have the capacity to use our skills, knowledge and capabilities to support the current and emerging needs of registrars and the communities in which they live and work.”