The 2014/15 Federal Budget saw the abolition of the Prevocational General Practice Placements Program (PGPPP), effective from the end of 2014. This decision left general practice in the position where it is the only major medical specialty unable to offer junior medical officers (JMOs) a structured prevocational training experience before they make a career choice.
The AMA has called on the Government to rethink its approach to prevocational training in general practice and has recommended the establishment of a Community Residency Program to fill the gap left by the abolition of the PGPPP.
The AMA proposal sets out the design and funding principles that would support opportunities for JMOs to undertake rotations of up to 13 weeks into general practice – helping them to experience life as a GP and to enhance their clinical experience.