As part of this ‘Reforming for Excellence’ programme the College’s General Professional Training (GPT) Committee is modernising the training programme for SHOs and non-SpR Registrars.

The purpose of these changes is to provide trainees with a more standardised training and assessment programme and to further develop in-person and on- line training opportunities. It is proposed to implement these changes for trainees commencing GPT in July 2008.

Changes to the GPT Programme will include:

• A reformed curriculum

• The introduction of competence assessment

• Access to the RCPI Online Medical Education Centre

The College is also in the process of introducing an On-line Medical Education Centre for trainees. Each trainee will have access to an education portal which contains on-line courses, curriculum information, an email address and access to journals. To support these changes RCPI is establishing a working group consisting of senior representatives from all major regions and hospitals around the country.

Over the next year, this group will help define and implement the structure needed to support the new curriculum.

These changes are necessary to ensure the delivery of consistent and high quality training at GPT level.

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MAJOR CHANGES IN THE GPT CURRICULUM

The changes will provide trainees with a more standardised training and assessment programme and will further develop in-person and on-line training opportunities. The changes will be implemented for trainees commencing GPT in July 2008. The structure around the GPT programme will also be re-organised, as the introduction of competency assessment will require increases support from the College to the Supervising Consultants.  A working group consisting of Consultants who represent areas all over Ireland has been set up to.  The purpose of this group is to help define the regional support is required.  

• The new curriculum defines the skills required for entry to the GPT programme (i.e. skills obtained during the Intern Year).

• The new curriculum identifies the skills to be acquired during the GPT programme.

• A number of mandatory courses will be provided during the programme including:

- Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS)

- Professional Development Programme

- Prescribing Skills

• The syllabus lists the general goals of GPT Training which include Procedural Skills; Investigations; Clinical Therapeutics; Ethical and Legal Competencies as well as generic skills in clinical areas such as teamwork, communication and ethics. The learning process and methods of assessment are also identified in the syllabus.

• The programme includes two logbooks – Year 1 logbook and Year 2 logbook. At the end of each post the logbook must be completed and signed by the supervising Consultant/Trainer and at the end of the first year the logbook must be sent to the College.

• Trainees will be assessed at intervals throughout the programme in the workplace and these assessments will be recorded in the logbooks and signed by the Trainer. These assessments include:

- Personal Goals

- Appraisal of Essential Skills

• Properly completed copies of both Year 1 and Year 2 logbooks will be required for a certificate of completion of GPT.

• The curriculum defines the skills required for entry to the GPT programme

(i.e. skills obtained during the Intern Year).