The RTP’s are responsible for allocating Registrars to General Practices for each 6 month basic and advanced term and ensuring all placements are appropriate and accredited. The system of allocation is determined by the RTP and varies form RTP to RTP. There is a range of allocation systems which may involve interviews with prospective practices chosen by the Registrar (see later for interview tips) to systems of allocation in which the RTP determines the placement with little or no registrar input.

The way terms are allocated is influenced by a number of factors: number of available practices, Registrar numbers (these numbers can fluctuate widely every six months) distribution and popularity of placements, Rural vs. Outer, Metro vs. Urban placements and unexpected events (e.g. a Registrar withdrawing from the placement at the last minute). Allocations are often complicated for RTP’s (who may be unable to fulfil everyone’s requests) and can be difficult for Registrars who may need to relocate or commute large distances or be placed in a practice which is not ideal for them.

The best advice when entering this system is to be proactive and to plan ahead. If you have certain needs and requests in relation to practice placements let someone know as soon as possible. In your RTP this is generally your medical educator. It may also be an administrative staff member, the director of training or even the CEO. Ask your RLO! They will be in the best position to advice you. Remember: your RTP will never be in a position to help you if they don’t know what your needs are.

Subsequent General Practice terms (after the advanced term) are traditionally selected by the Registrar and the RTP then assists by ensuring the practice has the appropriate accreditation. GPRA has been very supportive of this method as it encourages Registrars to search the type of practice they are interested in, have practice and interviews and negotiating terms and conditions and creates opportunity for future employment.

Some RTP’s have different systems for subsequent GP terms (please check with your RTP or RLO). The new RACGP standards coming into effect for the 2006 intake of Registrars also require one hour face to face teaching in the 3rd or Subsequent General Practice Term (but not the 4th; this is now called the extended skills term). This new requirement will apply to registrars commencing training in 2006. it is unclear at this stage if and how this will impact how General Practice Terms are allocated (again It is likely to vary between RTP’s).

Registrars may find themselves doing interviews for practice placements in Basic and Advanced terms, for Subsequent General Practice or Extended skills placements. Once training is over, you may be interviewing for a permanent position.

Practice
What special interests do people in the practice have (skills you might be able to learn whilst in the practice)?
Will you have your own room or will you need to move rooms depending on the day?
Will you need any particular requirements (e.g. a Doctors bag, ENT diagnostic kit) or are they provided by the practice?
Is there a practice nurse and if so what duties does he/she perform?
What medical records does the system practice use?
Will you have internet access at the practice? If so, in every room or just one computer, and is it broadband?

Usual hours
What days hours are you expected to work (i.e. the usual starting/ending times, Saturdays). When are you expected to perform nursing home visits and house calls?

On-call commitments
What are the on-call commitments at your practice? If you have hospital patients, what are the usual arrangements for weekends you aren’t on call (i.e. are the other GP’s happy to cover or would you be expected to continue their care)

Pay
What is the practice prepared to pay in terms of salary/percentage of earnings for your usual hours? What is the remuneration for after-hours work? Does the practice pay above or according to the minimum in the National Minimum Terms and Conditions document (if they pay less; DO NOT sign anything!). If you are unsure, ask your RLO.

Hospital work
Are you expected to undertake work in the local hospital? How are you paid for hospital work? Do you require an ABN for this? If the payments are processed through the practice, what percentage do you receive?

Accommodation
Does the practice have any accommodation available to GPR’s? How many bedrooms etc? What is the rent and do you have to pay for services (electricity/gas etc)?

Teaching/Education
How does he practice usually structure your teaching (3hrs/wk for basic terms, 1.5hrs/wk for advanced) – is there a regular time set aside each week, and if so when is it? Do all partners in the practice share in the education or does your supervisor take on this role?

Holidays
If you have 2 particular weeks holiday in mind, now would be the time to discuss it with the practice.

Take along a copy of the 2006 Minimum Terms and Conditions document for reference, and to compare wit any contract you may be asked to sign.

If offered a contract read it carefully before signing and don’t feel you have to sign it on the spot. If there are clauses in the contract that concern you or you don’t agree with, discuss it with the practice.

Here’s where it can get really complicated
Compulsory rural terms done in other RTP’s (e.g. by urban based Registrars from SIAGPT, IGPE, WentWest and VMA) are arranged through your original (host) RTP.
Rules and processes vary between RTP’s. If you wish to communicate your needs and preferences to the rural RTP, talk to your RLO or other RTP staff about how best to do this (and start the process well in advance if you can). Unfortunately the recipient RTP’s vary greatly in how they respond to requests form out placed Registrars. GPRA has been advocating hard for improvements nationally to this system (please have a look at the GPRA Achievables paper at www.gpra.org.au)
Opportunities do exist for registrars to undertake GP terms. Special/Extended Skills and ARSPs offered by other RTP’s e.g. Aboriginal Health, Alpine medicine, Anaesthetics O&G and the Irish exchange programme. You will need to plan ahead and discuss it with your RTP (and probably the recipient RTP) if you are keen to take up one of these opportunities. Remember that the RLO’s are also an excellent resource in planning a temporary transfer.
These type of terms would be subject to availability and a successful temporary transfer subject to agreement by both the host and the recipient RTP.

If you would like to transfer to a different RTP permanently, you will need to have the transfer approved by:
1. Your host RTP
2. The recipient RTP
3. AGPT

In GPRA’s experience the chances of approval by all parties is much higher if:
· You are going urban to rural
· The host RTP is not short of Registrars (the money for providing your training goes with you)
· The recipient RTP is short of Registrars
· You want to go somewhere where it is hard to attract Registrars
· You can prove that the experience you are after is not available in your host RTP
· You plan ahead and don’t give up easily