31-08-2013, 04:39 PM
Post Graduate Training Committee Report
Graduate Training Committee.pdf (Size: 173.54 KB / Downloads: 19)
SUMMARY
The Post Graduate Training Committee, on behalf of the Council, considers
applications for membership, accredits specialist training programmes and
promotes development in training and assessment in general practice.
Subcommittees deal with MICGP examination matters, the re-accreditation of training programmes, the
certification of training and curriculum development. The committee meets thrice yearly, and a newsletter is
issued after meetings for distribution to the training community and membership of the PGTC.
ACTIVITIES/TASKS DURING THE YEAR
Discussions were held over the summer, involving all the stakeholders, trainers, programme
directors, examiners, trainees, and ICGP officials. These were wide ranging and dealt with moving
forward towards a new model of GP training. These discussions involved the structure and
processes of training following the proposed transfer of responsibility from the State to the ICGP.
Much constrictive work was done both in preparation and at meetings. I would like to thank all
participants, especially Dr Gerry Mansfield, for all their work.
ACHIEVEMENTS/OUTCOMES
• A total of 175 new members were elected to membership: 122 by examination (MICGP) and 53
by equivalent qualifications. Forty-one of these applicants held a UK qualification, four Polish, four
Hungarian and four Australian.
• The MICGP is evolving as planned. It currently comprises four modules which must be passed
independently. These are the SBA (single best answer) AKT (applied knowledge test), MEQ
(modified essay question) and the oral exam (which comprises significant structural modifications).
• An information day was held in January 2012 to advise applicants on the recruitment process for
GP training in 2012. A large attendance highlighted the interest that young doctors continue to
display in training to be a GP.
THE FUTURE
Like every other aspect of Irish life, GP training has been affected by the dramatic recent changes in the
economic environment. The ICGP is committed to maintaining standards in GP training which are the result
of work done by many generations of trainers and programme directors and their teams. This requires
resources. However, in return for investment in this, albeit in a difficult time, the reward in terms of well
educated and committed GPs is enormous.
The standard of young GPs being trained by Irish training programmes is excellent. I am constantly
impressed by the quality of the graduate emerging after four years of training.
It is my earnest wish that Ireland continues to benefit from the excellence of our young colleagues and that
the graduates are not all leaving these shores to bring the benefits of their excellent training elsewhere.
IN CONCLUSION
It is my very pleasant duty to record the grateful thanks from the entire committee to Martina McDonnell
for her tireless work as administrator.
I am also grateful to Dermot Folan, our new CEO Kieran Ryan, and Dr Gerry Mansfield, National Director
of Specialist Training, who provide excellent support to me personally in my role as chair, and to the
PGTC generally. I also wish to record my own thanks to all colleagues for their work and commitment to
the various subcommittees which are such an important part of the PGTC. With the increased demands on
their time and resources, it is extremely gratifying to see the consistent flow of GPs willing to give up their
time for the benefit of all.