A comparison of patient appraisal of professional skills for GPs in training participating in differing education programs.

Background: Medical boards and healthcare providers internationally are coming under increasing pressure to attract international medical graduates (IMGs) and overseas trained doctors (OTDs) to cope with predicted general practice (GP) doctor shortages. Various pathways to registration are made available for this purpose. There is very little understanding of the effects of different training pathways to licensing and registration on the ability of IMGs and OTDs, as well as locally trained doctors, to acquire the desirable professional skills deemed necessary for working effectively in the primary care sector.

Hybrid training for remotely situated general practice registrars--making best use of available opportunities.

Background: Regional training providers (RTPs) working under the auspices of Australian General Practice Training (AGPT) sometimes encounter difficulties in delivering the AGPT program to general practice registrars, particularly those in the rural pathway. Registrars who have an employment bond with organisations such as state government health departments or the Australian Defence Forces are a prime example. The Remote Vocational Training Scheme (RVTS) presents an alternative model.