There are opportunities for registrars to develop extra skills in a number of possible disciplines through undertaking an advanced rural skills post. These posts can be undertaken at any time during registrar training and are encouraged by Sturt Fleurieu particularly for registrars planning to do either a FACRRM or FARGP.
Many registrars wish to develop procedural skills to a degree not possible through general practice placements and advanced rural skills posts are designed to facilitate these registrars achieving these goals.
ARSPs can be undertaken as a 12 month placement (most commonly) or in some disciplines as 2 x 6 month placements.
ACRRM and RACGP have somewhat different requirements in some ARSP areas and so detailed information should be sought either directly with the relevant college or by contacting the appropriate college advisor Dr Bruce Mugford (RACGP) or Dr Peter Clements (ACRRM) at Sturt Fleurieu.
What ARSPs are available?
- Anaesthetics
The most common ARSP undertaken by SF rural registrars is Anaesthetics. This is a 12 month placement and in SA there are 3 positions dedicated to GP registrars. 2 of these positions are available at Lyell McEwin hospital and 1 at Modbury hospital. The contacts at each hospital are Dr Andrew Michael (Lyell McEwin) and Dr Tim Hunt (Modbury). SF have had several registrars undertake these posts and they are highly regarded and competition is strong for these placements.
- Obstetrics & Gynaecology
Obstetrics and gynaecology positions are available at the Womens & Childrens and Lyell McEwin Hospitals and Flinders Medical Centre.
These positions may be for either 6 or 12 months and enable registrars to obtain the DRANZCOG or DRANZCOG (Advanced)
- Emergency Medicine
Positions of 6 or 12 months are available at Flinders, Royal Adelaide, Queen Elizabeth, Lyell McEwin and some registrars also access similar accredited positions interstate.
- Other Possible ARSPs
Registrars are able to try to design their own ARSP and then discuss it with us to see whether it is a possibility.
More common terms include Palliative Care, General Medicine, Paediatrics and Small Town Rural Practice. It should be noted that at the present time Small Town Rural Practice, although a popular ARSP with SF registrars, is not recognized by ACRRM and as yet neither is Palliative Care.
Less common is the ARSP in General Surgery. These are rarely accessed but if a registrar has an interest in this area, they should certainly discuss this and arrangements can be made to develop an accredited post.
Another rarely accessed ARSP is Indigenous Health. This has been done in the past in the Kimberley and in Northern territory and registrars are encouraged to consider this option. Other areas are available but must be sourced and arranged individually.
Registrars should discuss any of these ARSPs or any which fall outside those mentioned with the appropriate College Advisors or with their Regional Medical Educator.
How do I Apply for an ARSP?
- Discuss your plan with the relevant college advisor as indicated previously
- Once approval has been given to proceed, submit the application form to Sturt Fleurieu.
- Once written approval is received from Sturt Fleurieu, contact the relevant hospital or clinic and indicate your interest to them
- Follow the application process indicated by the hospital to which the application is being made
It is important to note that, apart from Small Town Rural Practice, Sturt Fleurieu is not able to arrange an ARSP but is in a position to support a registrar’s application. These posts are competitive and application must follow established guidelines at the relevant institution.
Remember that the earlier you consider your possible ARSP, the more likely you are to be able to gain a position which is suitable. Leaving it until the last minute will most often result in disappointment.
Assessment of the ARSP
All ARSPs are subject to Formative and Summative assessments by the nominated supervisor. Many have diplomas as a possible end point but all are subject to satisfactory completion of the post as assessed by the supervisor(s) and by the Director of Training Sturt Fleurieu.
What about Small Town Rural as an ARSP?
Sturt Fleurieu encourages registrars to complete an extra year in a rural practice to refine many rural skills and develop others which we believe contribute to the further enhancement of rural GP training and increased skills in our rural GPs. To this end we support RACGP which allows this ARSP accreditation towards the award of FARGP.
However, as well as the RACGP requirements which are to be found on their website www.racgp.org.au Sturt Fleurieu has other requirements which must be satisfied before we can sign off satisfactory completion of the ARSP. At least 2 of the following learning activities need to be completed satisfactorily during the training program: pro-start anaesthetics, pro-start emergency or derm-start. details of what these activities involve can be found by clicking ont he relevant activity link.
Remember, however, that this ARSP is not accredited or accepted by ACRRM so any registrar doing the FACRRM will need to look at some other ARSP.
In Summary
Undertaking an ARSP is a wonderful opportunity to develop and refine extra skills which can be used in rural practice throughout your career. Many of these skills can be obtained post fellowship and, indeed, many experienced rural GPs go back into these areas after they have been in practice for several years.
But why not take the opportunity to learn the skills while still in the training program when it will be in so many ways easier for you than it will be later in your career?
If you have any of interest, here is your chance to expand it.
If you are unsure, talk to Bruce Mugford or Peter Clements or your regional medical educator.
It is a great chance so why not take it!