Welcome to The Lucky Country: the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners deters overseas-trained academic general practitioners.

Abstract

In assessing overseas-trained general practitioners (GPs) applying for specialist recognition in Australia, the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) sets a minimum requirement of 2 days per week 'undertaking general practice activities' over the 3 years prior to application. The RACGP does not consider academic practice (i.e. relevant teaching and research) to be a 'general practice activity', thereby blocking overseas-trained full-time academic GPs from specialist recognition in Australia. The actions of the RACGP have implications for access to quality primary health care in Australia.