New model proposed for GP training

The Royal New Zealand College of General Practitioners (RNZCGP) is consulting on a new system for GP training.

The RNZCGP has worked with the Health Workforce New Zealand and the Medical Council of New Zealand to draft the proposals.

The new system would bring in more training options for both trainee GPs and practising GPs, as well as closing the equality gap between GP registrars and hospital-based registrars.

It would also introduce:

• The provision of an enhanced bursary to first year GP registrars to align their remuneration more closely with that of hospital-based first year registrars
• Optional enhanced competency modules in areas of practice, such as elderly care and mental health care
• Modular assessments
• The allocation of more time for hospital-based placements during training.

The RNZCGP says it hopes the proposed system would “build on the strengths of the existing GP education programme while introducing new opportunities and support to benefit both current and future GPs and GP registrars”.

The consultation will run until July 2011, before a finalised plan is drawn up for implementation from 2012.