Prevocational Forum August 2009

Prevocational Forum connects with DPETs and JMO Managers

IMET held a Prevocational Forum for DPETs, JMO Managers and others involved in prevocational education and training on Friday 21 August 2009 at the VIbe Hotel North Sydney.

There were 103 registrants for the event. Participants rated the day a success, with a wide range of thought-provoking presentations by DPETs and others working in the system to improve training for junior doctors.

At the meeting:

• IMET presented plans for an e-learning environment for medical education based on the well-known and widely adopted Moodle platform.

• Dr William Lancashire and Professor Rick Iedema presented the results of their research into trainee supervision. Dr Lancashire's talk threw out a challenge to the Australian system of postgraduate medical training, and called for consultants to be more directly responsible for the provision of services and the supervision of trainees. Professor Iedema described appropriate supervision in terms of when it was right to be 'hands-on' (directing and supporting the trainee) and when to be 'hands-off' (trusting and empowering the trainee). [Dr Lancashire's presentation] . [Prof Iedema's presentation]

• Professor Theresa Jacques presented the DETECT program, an evidence-based approach to teaching the management of the deteriorating patient that will soon be transforming training on this topic in hospitals across New South Wales.

• Dr Roslyn Crampton, Chair of the NSW Prevocational Training Council, presented some worrying findings from research into the prescribing abilities of new interns. "We have to move these new doctors from a state of unconscious incompetence, through the stage of conscious incompetence, towards conscious competence," she said. [Dr Crampton's presentation]

• Dr Glenn Singleman (right), doctor, filmmaker and extreme sportsman, gave the Forum an exhilirating presentation on personal challenge and personal growth.

• Rural DPET Dr Stephen May and city DPET Dr James Edwards gave an insider's view of 'the good, the bad and the ugly' in the DPET role. Their talks were full of practical tips for DPETs. [Dr May's presentation] [Dr Edwards' presentation]

• Dr Scott Fortey, DPET at Gosford Hospital, shared results of a survey of DPETs and JMO Managers around the state. [Dr Fortey's presentation]

• Dr Amanda Brownlow, Chair of the NSW JMO Forum, let the educators know what the JMOs were looking for. [Dr Brownlow's presentation]

• Dr Annette Britton, Chair of the NSW Prevocational Accreditation Committee, gave an update on developments in accreditation at a time when more hospitals and more terms are being accredited than ever before. [Dr Britton's presentation]

• Ms Louise Rice outlined the work that the Confederation of Postgraduate Medical Education Councils is doing to prepare for National Registration by defining standards for internship. [Ms Rice's presentation]

• Dr Marie-Louise Stokes presented the latest data on the increasing number of medical graduates, so that DPETs and JMO Managers could see what they were up against, [Dr Stokes' presentation] and then ...

• Dr Auriel Jameson, DPET at Hornsby Hospital, presented findings gathered by herself and Ms Judy Muller, Hornsby JMO Manager, on what hospitals were actually doing to meet the challenge of increasing numbers. Dr Jameson also presented some clear recommendations about what training requirements of core medical, surgical and emergency terms needed to be retained (or strengthened) while more trainees came on board. [Dr Jameson's presentation]

<<< Dr James Edwards, DPET at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital (left) and Dr Stephen May, DPET at Tamworth Hospital (right) at the Prevocational Forum.

>>> (Left to right:) Dr Auriel Jameson, DPET at Hornsby Hospital; Ms Christina Harlamb, Acting Head, Medical Education and Training Division, IMET; Dr Roslyn Crampton, Chair of the Prevocational Training Council; and Ms Shelly Llewellyn-Palmer, Prevocational Support Officer, IMET.

It was a packed program that gave participants plenty of practical information to carry back to their training centres, but for many the most important thing was the opportunity to network with their colleagues, exchange ideas and realise that they were not alone in the daily challenges they faced.

For more information, contact Craig Bingham, Prevocational Program Coordinator (02 9844 6511, cbingham@imet.health.nsw.gov.au).