Teaching and Supervising Doctors in Training

GP Supervisor Responsibilities

Teaching and Supervision

The GP Supervisor’s Responsibilities

As AGPT training is based on an apprenticeship model the experience, supervision and teaching that you provide doctors-in-training in their general practice placements is the mainstay of their training.

ACRRM and RACGP have developed Standards that outline the expectations for Trainers and Training posts:


To meet supervision and training responsibilities the GP supervisor must:

  • Ensure the doctor in training receives a comprehensive orientation to the Training Practice at the start of their placement
  • Provide the appropriate level of on-site supervision for the
  • Provide the appropriate level of in-Practice teaching for the doctor in training’s level of training
  • Assist the GP registrar to develop a learning plan by week four of their placement and to regularly monitor progress toward achieving the set learning objectives during weekly teaching sessions
  • Develop a teaching program which aims to meet the learning objectives of the GP registrar by maximising the learning opportunities available in the practice
  • Undertake a formative assessment review in consultation with the GP registrar mid-way and on completion of every six-month placement
  • Ensure the doctor in training is released to attend the WAGPET education program (central and regional)
  • Ensure External Clinical Teaching Visits are undertaken during the GP registrar placement

You may like to review Simon Morgan’s (2005) reflection on the multiple roles of a GP supervisor – A Balancing Act.

If you want to explore summaries of the training requirements for doctors in training:

Teaching and Supervision

Although often spoken of together supervision and teaching are two different, but overlapping, components of the GP supervisor role.

1. Teaching

This component includes:

There are many useful resources for teaching available, from the ACRRM and RACGP curricula to WAGPET elearning.
   

2. Supervision
This component focuses more on:
  • accessibility and availability for support and the informal teaching,
  • monitoring of patient load to ensure appropriate volume and variety for the doctor in training’s experience
  • ensuring adequate time for learning
  • supporting the doctor in training to plan their learning
  • providing formal and informal assessment and feedback.


And while you are teaching and supervising you will also have the opportunity to learn from your doctor in training too.

If you want to explore the curricula in depth:
Australian Curriculum Framework for Junior Doctors 
ACRRM Primary Curriculum
ACRRM Guide for Supervisors
ACRRM Advanced Specialised Skills Training Curricula
RACGP Curriculum for Australian General Practice 2011
RACGP Advanced Rural Skills Training Curriculum Statements

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