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The RACP website has full details of PREP (Physician Readiness for Expert Practice) training requirements and should always be the main source of information as it is the primary source. It also has all the dates for when submission needs to occur for research projects, training activities, reports and approval for advanced training for the following year. The RACP Specialist Advisory Committee (SAC) for Infectious Diseases (contact the education officers for Australia or New Zealand) is also an important source of information, particularly for curly questions.
In a nutshell:
Eligibility for advanced training in ID: completion of basic training requirements including RACP written and clinical exams
If started advanced training prior to 2011: Pre-PREP trainee
If started advanced training from 2011 onwards: PREP trainee
PREP Advanced training lasts 36 months (at least 12 months of which must occur in Australia or New Zealand) and comprises:
24 months core ID training
6 months core microbiology training
6 months non-core training (an opportunity to fulfil Developmental and Psychosocial training requirements)
Within that time, there is a requirement for 3 research projects, a logbook recording clinical procedures and various training and assessment activities eg Learning Needs Analysis and Case-based Discussions. There are different requirements for these depending on whether you are an Australian or New Zealand trainee and which year you started advanced training so check on the RACP website.
Overseas trainee
If you have not finished your training you will be required to pass the RACP exam. Beyond that it depends on how much and what training you have done overseas. Although most training roles have to be prospectively approved by the SAC, they will make occasional exceptions if the training is robust and supported by good documentation and supervisor's reports. Contact the RACP Specialist Advisory Committee for ID education officers in Australia or New Zealand for more information.
Overseas trained physician (OTP)
If you have finished your training in your own country, you will be required to go through an extensive (and expensive!) process called the Specialist Pathway involving both the Australian Medical Council (AMC) and the RACP - click here for the OTP page. The intent is to ensure that the training and standard of practice are substantially comparable to Australian and New Zealand training.
1. Initially the application is submitted to the AMC, and they will assess identitiy, English proficiency, primary medical and specialist qualifications and documentation.
2. If deemed eligible for assessment, the AMC will forward the application to the RACP.
3. The RACP will then assess training, assessments, clinical experience and standard of practice by a standardised application form, referees' reports, an interview with representatives from the SAC and OTP committees to go through your training (this can be done via webcam over the internet) and assessment by the OTP committee.
4a. If unsuccessful you can apply for the AMC certificate and to join the RACP training program.
4b. If successful you need to apply for a position in paediatric ID for 12 months of Peer review which needs to be prospectively reviewed by the OTP committee.
5. You need to register with the Australian Medical Board AHPRA for limited registration called Area of Need registration which allows you to do your year of Peer Review.
6. You need to apply to Medicare for a provider number: the Area of Need registration allows you to bill Medicare for your services which is important for some jobs. If you haven't been in Australia for over 10 years (applies to most people) you need to apply for a 19AB exemption which involves a letter from the institution where you are working stating that no Australian doctor is available to do the work you are doing.
7. You spend 12 months undergoing Peer review, supervised by 2 supervisors, at least one of whom needs to hold FRACP. During and at the end of this year you send reports to the OTP committee, confirming the review process.
8. Once you have successfully completed the Peer review year, you are eligible to apply for FRACP.
Contact the RACP Specialist Advisory Committee for ID education officers in Australia or New Zealand for more information.
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