Background
A Review of Basic Physician Training in NSW
In 2004, the Medical Training and Education Council of NSW (now NSW IMET) conducted a review into the delivery of basic physician training in NSW.
The review process included:
• broad state-wide consultations with relevant groups and individuals;
• the identification of key issues impacting on basic physician training;
• the development of proposals aimed at addressing these issues; and
• the development of the recommendations for enhancing basic physician training delivery in NSW.
The final report was endorsed by the NSW Minister for Health in June 2004, for implementation from January 2005.
What were the outcomes of the review?
The report recommended that training for BPTs be delivered through training networks. The intention of formal networked training was to facilitate equitable distribution of trainees, while maintaining high quality training.
The purpose of the training networks is to ensure a sustainable system of training while fulfilling the clinical service needs required throughout NSW.
What is a Training Network?
A training network is:
• A group of training sites (hospitals and health services) operating together as part of a combined training program
• Endorsed by College, Health Department and Health Services.
• Supported by governance structures and dedicated staff.
• Different from 'informal' networks.
In 2005, the basic physician training program was introduced in NSW with eight established networks. In 2007, an additional network was formed. There are currently nine basic physician training networks in NSW.
For more information on the BPT networks, click here.
External Review of the BPT Program
An external evaluation of the Basic Physician Training Networked Program was conducted following the completion of its first year of implementation. The report concluded that the networked program had made a positive impact on training and education. It included 21 recommendations for improvement. In early 2006, the NSW Physician Training Council (then known as the Network Oversight Committee) endorsed strategies to achieve these targets.
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