Newsletter Issue 4

Welcome to the fourth Newsletter for the Australian Curriculum Framework for Junior Doctors (ACF) Project. This newsletter aims to update you on the current project progress from each of the Working Parties and National Steering Group.

ACF Logo

The NSG and CPMEC Executive Committee have endorsed the new ACF logo. The logo will be used on all future project communication.

Project Update

The National Steering Group (NSG) met on 25 May and endorsed the Project Plans for the three Working Parties. These are available now on the CPMEC Website under ACF Discussion Papers at http://www.cpmec.org.au/curriculum/discussion/index.cfm. In addition the NSG endorsed a plan and timeline for the Revision of the ACF. This revision is necessary to incorporate both feedback received over the past twelve months and to make necessary changes to some of the verbs used within the Framework to facilitate the development of assessment tools. A subgroup of the NSG membership has been formed including the Chairs of the three Working Parties and an Assessment expert. This group will meet in August or September to draft the revision. An extensive feedback process will be undertaken with all project Stakeholders prior to final draft being submitted. Any queries regarding this revision process can be made to the National Project Coordinator (see contact details below).

The NSG is also addressing issues regarding communication to promote vertical integration including discourse with University and Postgraduate College groups.

Representatives from CPMEC and the ACF Project attended the National Health Workforce Forum in Sydney on 4 June. A number of key projects have been identified which have relevance to the ACF Project and the National Project Director (NPD) and the National Project Coordinator (NPC) will be establishing links where possible.

The NPDand the NPC attended a teleconference with representatives of the Australian Medical Council (AMC) Assessment subgroup. It became clear that there are a number of overlapping issues in regards to the IMG work being undertaken by the AMC and the ACF project. These include workplace based assessment methodology, principles of assessment, supervisor training and resource development. Ongoing dialogue and the sharing of ideas and developments will be facilitated through the NPC attendance at their meetings.

Update From The Working Parties

The working parties continue to make progress towards achievement of their allocated tasks. The following provides some information as to the current activities of the groups:

The Workplace Implementation Working Party (WIWP) met 3 June and is currently progressing work according to their project plan. Key activities currently being undertaken include:

The development of National Workplace Implementation Guidelines. The aim of these guidelines is to provide practical ACF Implementation advice to JMOs, Clinicians, Supervisors, Educators and Administrators. Examples of implementation tools are provided in the appendices of this document.

The development of a National Term Description Template. This template is based on the current IMET tool and will be linked closely to the ACF.

The development of a communication strategy to "raise awareness" of the ACF and the potential for a "toolkit" to assist this process including posters, a generic PowerPoint presentation and suggested methods for raising awareness. This work has been informed by the successful implementation of a similar toolkit by Queensland Health

Ongoing liaison with ACF implementation projects occurring around the country. A regular meeting with Project Officers has been established.

Timelines for completion of these activities have been set with the aim to present these documents at the National Forum in November.

The Assessment Working Party has met 2 June and is conducting a Face to Face meeting in Sydney on 27 June to finalise:

Glossary of Assessment terminology. This is aimed at developing a common understanding amongst ACF users regarding Assessment terms.

National End of Term Assessment Tool, and accompanying Principles of Assessment. A tool has been drafted based on the PMCWA current tool and work is underway regarding the descriptors for rating scales.

Verb Changes required within the ACF to facilitate development of assessment tools. This information will feed into the NSG ACF Revision process.

The Curriculum Development and Learning Resource Working Party (CDLWP) met on 23 June and is currently undertaking a process to develop "Study Guides" for 5 capabilities within the framework. They are keen to identify the methodology used to develop these guides in order to develop a standard and also to identify additional resources which may be useful but which will not be captured by the UQ MTRP Catalogue project. The CDLWP is also working on National Guidelines for Resource Development which will assist people wanting to develop ACF related resources. The CDLWP continues to work as an Advisory group for the UQ MTRP project. There will be a call for resources to populate this catalogue in August and the CDLWP is keen to identify groups which should be targeted.

National Prevocational Forum

The ACF project will be presenting a number of key developments at the National Prevocational Forum to be held in Hobart 9-12 November. The NSG is keen to encourage all those working on ACF related projects to submit abstracts which can be done via http://events.conventionwise.com.au/ei/cm.esp?id=222&pageid=_29R0KFBQN

Contact Details.

Please send comments, enquiries or feedback about this newsletter or the ACF project, to the National Project Coordinator (NPC), Mrs Debbie Paltridge, via dpaltridge@cpmec.org.au