Once in training, you are required to develop a comprehensive training plan in consultation with your Medical Educator. Your training plan will outline how you can meet these terms.

• If you are well and in self isolation:
  • providing telehealth consultations may be an option
• If you are deployed to another work environment not accredited by ACRRM, such as EM department, ICU or Respiratory Clinic:
  • you can apply to the College to have your placement approved
• If your work hours are reduced:
  • seek a new training post or work across more than one training post
  • reduce to part-time training
  • look at AST project work if appropriate to your AST
  • increase education and simulation activities 
  • prepare for and undertake assessments if eligible and ready to do so
• If your scope of work is changed:
  • the degree that this affects your training will depend on your previous experience and if you are developing new skills or consolidating your skills in your current placement
  • review the curriculum to identify skills and knowledge you are missing
  • seek activities such as simulation and education to supplement gaps in your skills and knowledge
  • keep good records of your work
  • work with your medical educator during and following the pandemic to revise your training plan.
• If you are unable to work:
  • apply for leave from training. Up to six weeks leave each year counts towards training time. Leave allowances have been extended due to COVID-19.

   

To discuss what further support options are available to you, or to seek further advice - registrars on the ACRRM Independent Pathway (IP) should contact their ACRRM training officer.  AGPT or RVTS registrars, please contact the relevant training organisation directly.

Yes. telehealth consultations may be included in training time. In fact, telehealth experience is vital to Rural Generalist training and is a component of ACRRM’s Rural Generalist Curriculum.

The College has a range of telehealth resources which we would encourage you to use.  

The College Standards for Supervisors and Training Posts continue to apply at all times. It is important you have appropriate access to your supervisor, clinical systems and training resources.

You are encouraged to keep good records and evidence of your work. IP registrars can work with their ACRRM training officer, or if you are an AGPT or RVTS registrar contact your training organisation directly to review and update your training plan during and following the pandemic. Consideration will be given to the breadth and volume of experience already obtained and areas yet to be covered.

The amount of direct supervision you require during training depends on your level of experience and capabilities in the area of medicine in which you are working.

If there are short periods of time that you, your supervisor and your training organisation are comfortable are appropriate, then no specific approval from ACRRM is required.

If you have limited experience, or there are extended periods without direct supervision, then an offsite supervision plan is required. IP registrars can work with their ACRRM training officer, if you are an AGPT or RVTS registrar contact your training organisation directly.

It is expected that corridor teaching/teaching on the run will continue, including via virtual contact, and we encourage you and your supervisor to take advantage of this valuable teaching time.

You are encouraged to continue to access online education and maintain your learning. Remember ACRRM has an extensive library of online courses available here.

Talk to your ACRRM training officer or your relevant training organisation if you are an AGPT or RVTS registrar, to discuss what the options are available to you e.g. a part-time study plan, delayed progression, deferral of education.  It is important to discuss options for your learning plan to enable you to re-engage and complete this important aspect of your training program.

You are encouraged to continue to access online education and maintain your learning.

Registrars approaching the end of their training time with outstanding assessment, training and education requirements will be considered individually to minimise delays in achieving Fellowship due to the pandemic.

Registrars requiring further advice, guidance or support are encouraged to contact their training organisation (RTO/RVTS) and/or mailto:training@acrrm.org.au the ACRRM Training Team if you are on the Independent Pathway.

Follow the usual process for your training pathway and ensure the level of urgency is documented. ACRRM will expedite the processing of this request.

Follow the usual process for your training pathway. The DHSS has advised that Respiratory Clinic MPNs will be prioritised.

ACRRM is experienced at conducting assessments in virtual format and will continue to offer all scheduled assessments and assessment preparation activities using online formats during the pandemic. See Rural Generalist Assessment webpage for further information.

For further preparation support, IP registrars are encouraged to work with their training officer, if you are an AGPT or RVTS registrar contact your training organisation directly.

Providing the report covers the period that you were in the post, a late submission of a supervisor report will be acceptable.

MiniCEXs may be conducted using virtual technology.  They may also be conducted on telehealth consultations where the patient, the registrar and reviewer are all connected virtually.

MiniCEXs involving physical assessment skills should be conducted face to face.  You may undertake miniCEXs using recorded consults.

Please refer to the Fellowship Assessment Handbook for more details.

Yes, providing that they meet the requirements for case notes as documented in the Assessment Handbook.

College policies allow up to 10 years to complete training

For registrars training on AGPT, the DoH has developed a COVID-19 Support Policy 2020 that provides information on how to apply for additional training time and leave.

The College is aware that AST in anaesthetics may be impacted by the temporary ceasing of elective surgery and that registrars may need to extend training into 2021. This may also affect registrars wishing to start training in 2021. The College will continue to monitor the situation and work with JCCA.

Registrars undertaking an AST in EM can have supervisors certify Level B procedures on a simulated patient (in acknowledgement that courses are not be offered).

Mandatory course requirements continue but may be completed after AST training and assessment has been completed. If completion of AST courses is the last requirement for Fellowship, apply to the College for consideration.

The College is currently in discussion with RANZCOG regarding O&G assessments and will provide an update in the near future.

The College aims to continue all StAMPS assessments, using virtually technology, if required.

Project based ASTs can continue as usual, if your project plan requires amendment, submit the amended project plan to the College for approval.

Registrars undertaking ASTs in other disciplines should contact their ACRRM training officer, or relevant training organisation (AGPT or RVTS registrars), if training is significantly affected.