The RACGP’s Clinical Competency Exam (CCE) is challenging for all GP trainees but many overseas trained doctors face added complexities as they prepare for their exams.
GPRA will host an online series of three exam preparation study sessions, facilitated by Dr Abdul Qadeer Malhi to help GP trainees prepare for the CCE.
The sessions are targeted towards International Medical Graduates (IMGs) but all GP trainees are welcome to attend. Bookings are now open for the three online workshops, which will be held in April and May.
The workshops will help participants to gain a better understanding of what to expect in the exams, as they will have the opportunity to practise case studies, provide feedback, improve time management techniques and ask questions.
An IMG himself, Dr Qadeer Malhi is a GP in Gippsland, Victoria, and an experienced medical educator. Originally from Pakistan, he has a special interest in mentoring overseas-trained doctors to help them gain Fellowship in Australia.
He says most IMGs have never faced an assessment like the CCE but during the workshops they will have the opportunity to ask questions “IMG to IMG.”
“For a reasonable number of IMGs, the CCE can be different to their experience of sitting an exam where the emphasis is on providing memorised answers. But the CCE is a typical performance assessment in which a range of competencies are assessed through theme specific clinical scenarios.”
Mastering the English language – including the vast array of Australian colloquialisms – is just one of the challenges facing junior doctors who move to Australia to complete their training.
“Because they have completed some of their medical training or medical degree outside of Australia, many IMGs find that they have not been sufficiently exposed to the many cultures and communities that are represented in Australia.
“For some, uncertainties regarding visa status can be a significant issue which can add to stress and result in poor performance in their Fellowship exams.”
“For some IMGs, their preparation for the exam will not be very different from locally trained registrars but the workshops can give them a lot of confidence so they realise it is achievable.”