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SE01
TOWARDS A CONSISTENT ASSESSMENT OF INTERNATIONAL MEDICAL GRADUATES
Author(s) -
Collins J. P.
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
anz journal of surgery
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.426
H-Index - 70
eISSN - 1445-2197
pISSN - 1445-1433
DOI - 10.1111/j.1445-2197.2009.04930_1.x
Subject(s) - comparability , specialty , medicine , position (finance) , medical education , medical assessment , img , united states medical licensing examination , training (meteorology) , family medicine , medical school , physics , mathematics , finance , combinatorics , meteorology , computer science , economics , operating system
Each year a number of international medical graduates apply for a range of positions in Australia and New Zealand. Those applying for specialist positions including in surgery are assessed for employment and medical registration purposes on the basis of their education, training, assessment, experience, and their recency of practice. In 2006 the Council of Australian (State) Governments (COAG) determined that a national process should be developed, consistent across all medical specialties and this was implemented in 2008. Those applying for assessment for comparability to an Australian trained specialist are assessed against the relevant College standards. Those applying for an Area of Need position are assessed against the position description combined with an assessment of comparability. An applicant is classified as either “substantially comparable”, “partially comparable” or “non‐comparable” to an Australian trained specialist in that specialty and the type of medical registration possible is linked to this outcome. Where an overseas trained specialist or specialist‐in‐training wishes to undertake a short period of training in Australia, the employer/sponsor submits an outline of the program to the relevant College which then advises the local Medical Board on the suitability of the training position/program being offered following which the Board makes a decision on medical registration. Applicants regarded as substantially comparable are regarded as eligibility for fellowship without examination by the majority of Colleges provided they first complete a satisfactory period of practice under oversight. The Medical Council of New Zealand uses a different process, seeks advice from the relevant College but is not obliged to accept this advice in making its final determination.