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Assessment of Clinical Practice

Following an assessment of the requisite documentation and an interview, an International Medical Graduate (IMG) may be advised that it is not necessary to undertake further formal surgical training. Instead, the interview panel may recommend that the doctor undergo a designated period of assessment of their clinical practice under supervision/oversight.

If an IMG has been assessed and a nominated period of supervision/oversight has been advised, this supervision/oversight will be conducted by two Fellows of the College.

Refer to the College's Clinical Assessment of International Medical Graduates policy (PDF)

The assessment is recorded and forms the core of how the IMG will progress through the supervision/oversight period and even beyond the supervision/oversight arrangement. This information must be accurate and informative, and must be indicative of the real situation in which the IMG is involved. The supervisors/overseers have an obligation to be open and transparent in this process and enable corrective action to occur as soon as possible, if deemed necessary.

Any concerns which could be identified as a potential risk (to the IMG, patients or medical institution) should immediately be brought to the attention of the Clinical Director, IMG Assessments for appropriate action.

Assessment reports

Assessment reports are conducted on a three-monthly basis by each supervisor/overseer and should be completed in conjunction with the IMG. Any contentious points raised must be discussed and clarified before completion of the assessment process. All parties must sign the report for it to be binding report. If the IMG disputes the assessment outcome, they must not sign the report and note the reason for the absence of a signature. Any disputes will be referred to the Specialty Board for consideration.

Assessment reports consist of three monthly progress reports (PDF) and logbook summaries (refer to specialty pages).

As it can be critical to the ongoing registration of the IMG, assessments must be completed in a timely manner, that is, within 2 weeks of the completion of the 3 month period.

Due to privacy laws, the College is unable to provide copies of the assessment reports to any external bodies or persons without the permission of the IMG.

Interrupted periods of oversight

In the rare situation where an IMG may only spend part of their time working in Australia, he/she is entering into an interrupted arrangement of skills assessment. For this situation to be viable from the perspective of training, and for the purpose of patient management, the College requires that a minimum period of 6 months continuous clinical assessment per annum must occur. The recommended period of supervision/oversight must be completed on a cumulative basis.

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