Future models of general practice training in Australia

Abstract

Current proposals for significant primary health care reform in Australia create a timely opportunity to reflect on the education and training requirements of future general practitioners. Australian general practice will become increasingly team-based, with growing emphasis on coordinated care, chronic disease management, and disease prevention and self-management, while maintaining its focus on delivering high-quality, patient-centred care. This will require cost-effective application of new technologies and information management systems within new models of delivering health care. Future models of general practice training must respond to these new ways of working to ensure general practice remains an attractive career choice and training programs graduate doctors who are equipped to meet the health needs of Australians. This article discusses potential development of new general practice vocational training models in Australia. This includes hospital rotations that are more directly integrated with general practice placements and have greater emphasis on the needs of the future general practice workforce; and an extension of the training program to 4 years with a final year tailored to future career plans including development of expertise in practice management, specific clinical disciplines or academic skills.