Tasmanian Rural Generalist Pathway at a glance

Explanatory notes on the above infographic can be found below.

Prevocational training

Medical students

Medical students studying at the University of Tasmania School of Medicine are encouraged to register their interest in the Tasmanian Rural Generalist Pathway (TRGP). In particular, those studying at the University of Tasmania Rural Clinical School or the Launceston Clinical School are strongly encouraged to register their interest.

Interns (PGY1)

Graduates with a recognised medical degree can enter the pathway as an Intern. The Intern year will include a rural GP rotation in a location that provides broad scope Rural Generalist (RG) services to the community (primary care, emergency, inpatient care).

Vocational training

Resident Medical Officers (PGY2-3)

Resident Medical Officers (RMO) who hold full registration with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) can enter the pathway at this point. The PGY2 year will include required core hospital rotations in obstetrics, paediatrics, anaesthetics/ICU as well as a further Rural GP rotation. This may also include a PGY3 year to obtain additional hospital rotations relevant to Rural Generalist training, e.g. "Extended Skills" training in palliative care. In the RMO years, junior doctors apply for entry as a registrar on a recognised General Practice Training Pathway (e.g. Australian General Practice Training (AGPT), Remote Vocational Training Scheme (RVTS) or the Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine (ACRRM) Independent Pathway (IP).

PGY2 and PGY3 junior doctors can exit the RG pathway and apply for entry to other vocational training pathways.

Registrars (PGY3-5)

Registrars in PGY3-4 can enter the pathway at this point once accepted into a GP training program. Those in PGY4-5 can enter the pathway with significant recognition of prior learning (RPL) from other College training programs or hospital experience. Ongoing Rural Generalist training will focus on primary care training over a minimum of two years and coordinated through a Regional Training Provider (RTO) (e.g. General Practice Training Tasmania, Remote Vocational Training Scheme or the trainee's GP College. At least one rotation will be in a Rural Generalist practice.

Registrars may exit the RG pathway (without completing an Advanced Skills Training (AST)/Advanced Rural Skills Training (ARST) year) and may be eligible for the Fellowship of the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners provided all training and assessment requirements have been met.

Advanced/additional skills training (PGY5-6)

Registrars in PGY5-6 can enter the pathway at this point with significant RPL from other College training programs or hospital experience. 12 months of advanced/additional/specialised rural skills training (The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners Advanced Rural Skills Training or The Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine Advanced Skills Training) can be undertaken in a wide variety of specialist clinical disciplines or more general areas such as remote medicine or Aboriginal health.

Please note that trainees may undertake advanced/additional skills training earlier in the RG pathway if opportunities arise in an area of clinical interest.

Registrars may exit the RG pathway on completion of the AST year and apply for RPL to enter other specialist College training programs.

Post fellowship training

Optional consolidation year

RG doctors in their first post Fellowship Year (FACRRM or FRACGP/FARGP) are encouraged to undertake an additional year to consolidate and enhance their RG skills and knowledge in a collegial environment that helps prepare them for independent RG practice.

Post fellowship training opportunities

Opportunities include undertaking advanced/additional skills, college and university teaching positions, research, clinical leadership, international practice, humanitarian work, medicine in extreme environments (Centre for Antarctic, Remote & Maritime Medicine), retrieval medicine, Royal Flying Doctor Service and Australian Defence Forces.

Find more information about the Tasmanian Rural Generalist Pathway