Experience General Practice. Prevocational General Practice Placements Program

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1 Experience General Practice

2 About PGPPP What is PGPPP? Why consider a PGPPP rotation? In my PGPPP placement I was able to see how different doctors use their time differently and tailor their patient lists to their interests. It really showed me that GP is what you want to make it... there are just so many options. Dr Natalie Sancandi St George Hospital PGPPP is an excellent clinical experience for all junior doctors even those not considering GP as a career choice. It provides an appreciation for what GP s do in the community, and the depth and breadth of medicine they encounter. Dr Sisi Zhao Prince of Wales Hospital The Prevocational General Practice Placements Program (PGPPP) is an Australian Federal Government initiative that provides prevocational hospital doctors the opportunity to experience general practice in a supervised setting. How does it work? Doctors in a PGPPP term undertake a week rotation in an accredited GP training practice. Doctors have their own consulting room and see their own patients with on-site supervision from an experienced GP supervisor, supported by weekly teaching sessions and an education program. Like any other hospital rotation, a PGPPP term is an accredited hospital term and during the rotation the junior doctor remains an employee of the hospital. Who manages and delivers the program? The PGPPP program is administered by the same organisation that administers the vocational Australian General Practice Training (AGPT) program, General Practice Education & Training Ltd. The program is delivered locally by Regional Training Providers (RTPs) who provide the PGPPP placements and trainee support. GP Synergy is one of these RTPs, delivering prevocational and vocational training across a large part of Sydney, and the New England/ Northwest region of NSW. GP Synergy offers a range of PGPPP placements in accredited training practices across these regions. 1. For the experience: PGPPP provides a unique opportunity to work in a primary care setting and acquire clinical experience, especially in expanding your diagnostic and management skills. 2. To improve and acquire new skills: The autonomy offered in a PGPPP term allows you to test your clinical and interpersonal skills in a safe, supervised setting. 3. To be a better specialist: Regardless of your final career choice, having a genuine understanding of the primary care environment will only serve to benefit you and your patients. 4. To benefit from one on one mentoring: Access to an experienced GP supervisor all day every day.need we say more! 5. To try something different: A PGPPP term can be a welcome change to the hospital environment and widen your awareness of holistic patient care and primary care settings. 6. To enjoy the collegiality: In a PGPPP term you work alongside GPs and GP registrars as an equal, managing your own patients (under staged supervision). Cover image: Dr Michelle Thurston, Hornsby Hospital Dr Natalie Sancandi 1

3 Supervision and support During my placement I felt very well supervised and supported. I had the opportunity to become more and more independent, seeing patients by myself, and formulating my own management plans. It was a good balance of support and independence. Dr Diana Tao Royal North Shore Hospital GP Synergy makes the term the most supported term you will have. There are regular phone sessions to voice any issues and give progress updates. The fantastic aspect of the PGPPP term is that you get to attend excellent GP Synergy lectures with their registrars. Dr Michelle Nguyen Bankstown/ Campbelltown Hosptal What supervision is available? PGPPP trainees have access to a supervisor 100% of the time they are in a placement. The level of direct supervision during the rotation varies as trainee s progress through key stages of learning. The learning stages begin with a brief period of observation before moving into consultations with patients (stages 2-4). A trainee s progression through the stages is determined by assessment of the trainee s capabilities by the supervisor and, for final stages, a GP Synergy Medical Educator. At any stage of supervision trainees have access to the supervisor. There may also be particular types of patients and presentations where a supervisor will be required to participate or observe the consultation. What education is provided? PGPPP trainees are well supported with an extensive education program. Teaching during the term includes formal structured and informal teaching. This ranges from weekly one-on-one teaching with a supervisor, to on-the-job supervision, and opportunities to participate in ongoing GP professional development activities. Trainees also benefit from GP Synergy s comprehensive education program which features an orientation workshop at the start of each term, and regular ongoing education sessions. What other support is available to PGPPP participants? During their rotation, PGPPP trainees receive individualised support by GP Synergy s Director of Pre-Vocational Education and Training (DPET). The DPET oversees the PGPPP educational program and maintains regular contact with trainees and hospital DPETs. Trainees are also supported by a dedicated team of administration staff. For trainees undertaking rural PGPPP rotations, GP Synergy provides funding for travel and accommodation. My PGPPP experience has been excellent! It gave me a different perspective on medicine compared to hospital based medicine. Here, we are the primary health care givers and developing a rapport with patients as well as following up with them was just as important as diagnosing and treating their condition. I have been able to practice medicine as well as gain some practical tips on the management of my patients which I m not normally exposed to. Dr Vincent Nguy Concord Hospital Dr Vincent Nguy 2 3

4 Placement opportunities I would definitely recommend this term to both those considering, and those not considering, a career in GP. GP was a lot different to what I expected. It is a great experience. It really helps you to see the broad spectrum of presentations that GP s see, and what actually happens before and after patients are in hospital. Dr Karyn Ashley Concord Hospital The team in my rural practice placement and the other GP s were absolutely wonderful so approachable and eager to teach. They are the most knowledgeable and highly expertised doctors I have ever come across. Dr Faith Dyer Hornsby Hospital Where can I undertake a placement? GP Synergy offers PGPPP placements in locations across Sydney and New England/ Northwest NSW for training networks within our boundaries. Placements with other Regional Training Providers may be available within your network. See your JMO Manager for more information. How can I arrange a placement? Networks offering GP Synergy PGPPP placements Network Hospitals in network 1 Royal Prince Alfred, Balmain and Dubbo Hospitals 2 Bankstown, Campbelltown and Bowral Hospitals 3 Concord, Canterbury and Broken Hill Hospitals 4 Liverpool, Fairfield and Tweed Hospitals 5 Royal North Shore, Ryde, Port Macquarie and Greenwich Hospitals 6 Hornsby, Manly and Mona Vale Hospitals 8 St George, Sutherland and Griffith Hospitals 9 Prince of Wales and Lismore Hospitals 10 St Vincents and Wagga Wagga Hospitals To find out how to arrange a placement, please talk to your JMO Manager or contact one of our friendly PGPPP team members on Tamworth, Armidale, John Hunter, Belmont, Calvary Mater, Maitland, Royal Newcastle and Manning Hospitals For exact placement locations, visit our website Dr Karyn Ashley 4 5

5 Would you like to know more about PGPPP, GP Synergy or GP training? Visit our website: Please visit our website to find out more about GP Synergy and the PGPPP placements we have available. Contact us: To talk with one of our PGPPP staff members, please contact us on or by GP Synergy Chippendale: Liverpool: Armidale: Moree: E: W: