MedEd Help offers helpful discussions and conversations for clinical and medical educators.

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Episode Title: No, It's Not a 2-Year Internship!

Hosts: Dr. Anthony Llewellyn and Dr. Andrew Vanlint

Overview: This episode of MedEd Help, hosted by Dr. Anthony Llewellyn and Dr. Andrew Vanlint, focuses on the new framework for pre-vocational training in Australia, set to start in January 2024. The discussion centers on the significant changes this framework brings to medical education, particularly for PGY1 and PGY2 doctors.

Key Points:

Introduction of the New Framework: The framework overhauls pre-vocational training, emphasizing alignment with Australian healthcare needs, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health, trainee wellbeing, and supervision quality.

Clarification on Internship Duration: The framework does not extend the internship to two years. Doctors are eligible for general registration after the first postgraduate year and can enter vocational training in their second year.

Changes for Interns and Residents: The framework introduces significant changes in the intern terms, focusing on experiences rather than the setup of the term. For PGY2, the framework adds more structure, with a focus on broad generalist experience and the opportunity for some specialization.

Assessment Changes: Both interns and residents will face new assessment requirements, including mandatory mid-term assessments and the introduction of Entrustable Professional Activities (EPAs) to evaluate clinical tasks.

Supervision and Support Enhancements: The framework broadens the pool of potential supervisors and assessors, including non-medical professionals like pharmacists and nurses. There's also an increased emphasis on early identification and support for junior doctors who are struggling.

Impact on Supervisors: Supervisors will receive more training in assessment, feedback, and cultural safety, with a refreshment course every three years.

Implementation and Challenges: Acknowledging the workload increase, the hosts discuss how the new framework will be implemented and its potential challenges, emphasizing the long-term benefits in aligning pre-vocational training with current healthcare needs.

Conclusion: Dr. Llewellyn and Dr. Vanlint conclude that while the new framework introduces significant changes and challenges, it is a great and necessary step to improve medical education in Australia, focusing on current healthcare needs and enhancing the quality of medical training.