GPSA/GPTA
Background
Vocational training for general practice in Australia began in 1974. A training program based in general practice, with an apprenticeship model of education, was considered the best way to ensure the continuity of quality general practice. Since then, evidence has grown supporting this apprenticeship model as the most successful and preferred method of training. Supervisors have been integral to this educational and training process, building up a valuable body of experience and expertise.
General Practice Supervisors are uniquely positioned in the education arena because of their base within the community and links with formal education suppliers. Many supervisors are involved in providing education within Universities, Divisional, Colleges and community areas, as well as delivering registrar education, both inside and outside the practice. Many of our Supervisors also take on education of the undergraduates and provide that important initial engagement of the medical student with general practice. Many supervisors are also examiners for the current endpoint of registrar training, the FRACGP Exam. Over the years, supervisors have been instrumental in writing and developing educational materials, essential manuals and video training programs.
Two organisations have developed to provide support for Supervisors. The Independent voice for GP Supervisors is the NGPTA but GPET funds GP Supervisor Liaison Officers (SLO) within the consortia and there is the GPSLO Network providing support for the SLOs.
The National General Practice Supervisors Association (NGPSA)...
The National General Practice Supervisors Association was formed in 1998, in response to a need to review the registrars' 'Terms and Conditions' document. The government wished to alter the entire structure of how registrars were trained. It was obvious to the supervisors that this would result in a training program where registrars would not receive the education and training that was necessary to enable them to be fully trained for unsupervised General Practice. Due to the voice of the NGPSA the changes proposed by the government were reversed. John Stanford was at the initial meeting of supervisors and he became the NSW representative of the NGPSA. Whilst many activities of the NGPSA went unfunded they did receive some secretarial support and funding for meetings from the RACGP. John remained the NSW representative until the Training Program become regionilased and lost the need for state representation. John is now the NGPSA reprentative in IGPE.
In 2004 the Association became incorporated as the National General Practice Trainers Association (NGPTA). This has given the organisation a more professional and legal structure and allows for formal membership. A submission for funding the NGPTA is currently before the Minister of DoHA. The combination of federal funding and membership dues would provide the NGPTA with the ability to be an autonomous body. It would represent the interests of general practice supervisors in the provision of vocational training and education, provide a legal entity for negotiating with the Government and other interested parties re Terms and Conditions as well as ensuring national standards of quality training through sharing of experience and expertise.
The NGPTA held its inaugural AGM on the 11/8/04 in Brisbane. The NGPTA Board is Ian Kamerman, Simon Young, John Stanford, Alan Leeb, Tony Chambers and Alex Bennett. All members provide a $20 guarantor on joining the Association. The annual fee will be set at the next AGM.