19 February 2010 Recognition of medical specialties and the use of the title 'specialist'
As part of the move to a national system of registration, The Medical Board of Australia is determining the recognition of medical specialties, including general practice, and the use of the title ‘specialist’.
Since its inception in 1958 the RACGP has sought to advance and promote the standards of general practice, and since 1974 has promoted the achievement of Fellowship of our college.
The Medical Board of Australia has proposed that general practice will be a recognised medical specialty. The college is very pleased to support this recognition after many years of advocacy. The recognition of general practice as a medical speciality by the Medical Board of Australia would not be possible without a sound, reliable, valid and accredited Fellowship.
The RACGP acknowledges the contribution to this achievement by many senior and experienced GPs; some of whom do not hold RACGP Fellowship, in particular the cohort of GPs who entered general practice before 1996.
The RACGP recognises and values the contribution of all our members to their communities. The RACGP will continue to promote the value of Fellowship and celebrate the achievement of Fellowship as the completion of specialist training in general practice.
Medicare Australia provides rebates for our patients and distinguishes between recognised general practitioners and non-recognised general practitioners. Recognised general practitioners include Fellows of the RACGP, some Fellows of ACRRM and vocationally registered GPs. Additionally, patients of general practice registrars and ‘rural other medical practitioners’ have access to the same rebates as patients of recognised GPs.
The government is not proposing any changes to patient rebates on the basis of speciality recognition. The remuneration of general practice is a separate matter to the use of the title ‘specialist general practitioner’. General practice should be better recognised and rewarded.
In relation to the use of the title ‘specialist general practitioner’, the RACGP believes that the Medical Board of Australia should treat general practice in the same manner as all other medical specialties.
The RACGP will continue to provide educational programs, resources, support and standards for medical students, prevocational doctors, those in vocational training and advanced rural training, and for those friends and colleagues who join us in a process of continuous professional development and quality improvement.
M5 Project - RACGP men's health initiative helping men to help themselves
M5 encourages men and those who care about them to recognise the importance of men forming an ongoing relationship with a GP.
