Hospital rotations

Certain hospital / core clinical training experience is considered mandatory preparation for the AGPT program and must be satisfactorily completed before commencing any GP placements. Each rotation should be 10-13 weeks duration (full-time equivalent) and undertaken in an accredited Australian and/or New Zealand hospital. (ED is an exception and requires only 8 week terms.)

1. General medicine
Preferably a general medicine rotation or, if unavailable, a rotation that offers broad medical experience.

2. General surgery
General surgery is preferred or, if unavailable, a surgical rotation that covers the principles of basic surgical care.

3. Emergency
A minimum 8 week term in an Emergency Department (ED).

4. Paediatrics
A paediatric rotation must be undertaken in an accredited hospital and include child and adolescent health experience, with a high proportion of paediatric emergency attendances. It is acknowledged that securing a paediatric rotation can be difficult and not always possible.

An alternative is to complete two ED rotations. ED rotations need to be undertaken in a department with a high percentage of paediatric presentations and the placement duration will depend on whether you are enrolled with RACGP and/or ACRRM. There may be other alternatives so it is recommended that you check whether your paediatric experience meets the requirements for training with EV and the relevant college.

5. Additional hospital rotations
In addition, registrars must obtain hospital disciplines in a variety of other areas to demonstrate a breadth of experience. It is recommended that disciplines offer skills relevant to general practice. For example: obstetrics and gynaecology (O&G), psychiatry, aged care or rehabilitation. Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine (ACRRM) registrars must undertake anaesthetics and O&G experience during their training but this does not need to be done before starting a general practice rotation.

For more information about: