General Practice Specialty Profile

General practitioners (GPs) are the first port of call for patients entering the Australian health system. They provide primary continuing comprehensive medical care to individuals, families and their communities. They are responsible for the spectrum of prevention, diagnosis and treatment of a wide range of acute and chronic medical problems. The majority of patient problems are handled by a GP without requiring referral. Although specialist input into a patient’s problem is often sought, it is the GP who co-ordinates the holistic care of a patient. This may involve integration of opinions of multiple health practitioners, monitoring chronic diseases and their treatment, and assisting with the psychosocial impact of disease. GPs are also in a unique position to care for multiple members of a single family, and thus to appreciate the role of genetics and family dynamics in various illnesses.

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General Practice Training Program

Training Program

Uniquely amongst medical disciplines, a government company rather than a medical college delivers general practice training. The RACGP develops and maintains standards for general practice training, which is delivered by Regional Training Providers (RTPs) in the form of the Australian... more

Application process

Applications are made by an online application form on the AGPT website (a paper copy is available). Applicants must have completed at least 1 year of hospital experience prior to application, and elect to train in either a general pathway... more

Length of Training

Registrars enrolled in the FRACGP are required to complete a minimum of three years full time or equivalent training, which may be reduced through recognition of prior learning. Training towards FACRRM takes a minimum of four years full time or... more

Cost of Training

College full membership for Registrars (Annual fee) $295.00 College Associate membership fee (Annual fee) $253.00 College Examination $2,900.00 Withdrawal or deferral of exam $600.00 Withdrawal or deferral of exam Examination Appeals $300.00 Resitting Exam $2,500.00 Costs as at 11/06. Costs... more

Availability/Competition for training positions

There will be 600 positions available in 2008, comprising 250 rural pathway positions and 350 general pathway positions. Selection is based upon structured referee reports and an interview. There has been a decline in trainee applicants in recent years, particularly... more

Flexibility in Training

Part-time training may be approved at any time during training, although the mandatory hospital experience is normally undertaken full time. 22.6% of GP trainees worked part time in 2006. Deferral of commencement of training is generally only possible in exceptional... more

General Practice Case Study

Dr. Angela Gavralas

Dr. Angela Gavralas

Name: Dr. Angela Gavralas

Career stage: Consultant

Location: Melbourne

Medical Specialty: General Practice

What do you enjoy most about your general practice?

I enjoy the fact that it is a flexible career so you can chose the hours you work and where you work. There are so many opportunities in general practice.as a female the flexibility allows a life outside work. i enjoy the variety of patients. you can subspeciliase in areas of interest. i enjoy the interaction of other colleagues in a large practice. As a general practitioner it is nice receiving the respect of the general community.The personal connection with patients is interesting...

What are the challenges of general practice?

There is always the challenge of keeping up to date. Time is needed to be spent on extended learning, both to keep up to date and to extend our skills. We need to know a lot of information about a wide range of topics. Patients also us to have a wide general knowledge of everything medical, even if not related to general practice. Time managament within general practice is also an issue....

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General Practice Workplace

The workplace

General practitioners are responsible for all primary care in Australia. They encounter the range of adult and paediatric medical and surgical problems, in addition to obstetric, gynaecological, and psychiatric ailments. The majority of general practitioners work in private rooms, with... more

The doctor-patient relationship

Perhaps one of the most appealing aspects of general practice is the close relationship with patients, families and local communities that is nurtured over time. GPs follow their patients through good times and bad, and are privileged to share in... more

Intellectual content

The intellectual basis of general practice includes an enormous breadth of biomedical knowledge, as well as the psychological and sociocultural aspects of disease. GPs are expected to have some knowledge in all areas of medicine, but to know their limits,... more

Medical indemnity

Medicolegal issues have begun to exert a significant effect on general practice. Earlier this decade, indemnity premiums rose sharply relative to income, and were widely criticised for discouraging part-time and procedural work among GPs. However, a number of government schemes... more

Lifestyle and Practice Options

General practice has the potential to be a very flexible specialty, and to enable good work-life balance. The ability to control work hours is largely dependent on type and location of practice. For example, GPs practicing in large, multi-doctor urban... more

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