ACRRM and the RACGP were the two highest-scoring specialist medical colleges as rated by trainees, but still only scraped a pass.
Both ACRRM and the RACGP were awarded a C+ for overall training experience in the AMA specialist training report card this year, meaning they technically topped the class.
Of the other nine colleges included in the report, five received a C, two were given a C- and the Royal Australasian College of Physicians and the College of Intensive Care Medicine tied at last place with overall grades of D+.
The RACGP did particularly well on measures related to supervision and teaching (e.g. protected study time and leave) and workplace culture (e.g. work/life balance).
ACCRM’s strength, meanwhile, largely lay in its examination and assessment policies (e.g. useful feedback, support), where a high proportion of its registrars responded positively on four out of five questions.
This was a particularly difficult criteria for other specialist colleges to meet; four of the 11 included in the report received failing grades on these measures.
CICM registrar feedback was so overwhelmingly negative that it was given an E+ on examination and assessment policy by the AMA.
The data itself came from the August 2023 Medical Training Survey, meaning it was collected around six months after the RACGP and ACRRM were handed back the reins on GP training.
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Looking at specific questions, around 65% of ACRRM registrars agreed that their college had clearly communicated changes to the training program, compared to 75% of RACGP registrars.
Despite the changes to GP training administration, more than 80% of registrars from both GP colleges said they were confident in who they were meant to contact for clarification and details on their training program.
They were also the top two highest-scoring colleges when it came to work/life balance, engaging with registrars about the training program, raising concerns about bullying and for providing support when needed.
At 61%, the RACGP had the highest score of the 11 colleges on seeking registrar views on training – a marked change in circumstances from the first Medical Training Survey in 2019, where it had the second-lowest score on this measure at just 36%.
The AMA encouraged colleges to review compliance with the Australian Medical Council standards for specialty education and training.
