About PGPPP – the Prevocational General Practice Placements Program

GP Synergy is excited to announce there has been a significant expansion in the PGPPP program in NSW increasing the opportunities for junior doctors to experience general practice during their hospital training.

What is PGPPP?

In the Prevocational General Practice Placements Program (PGPPP), junior doctors undertake a 10/11 week rotation in accredited GP training practices, seeing patients under the supervision of experienced GP training supervisors in a safe and supported environment.

The placement is accredited like any other hospital term and the junior doctor remains the employee of the hospital for the duration of the placement.

During the placement, junior doctors receive individual guidance and support from experienced GPs, with weekly teaching sessions and participation in a tailored education program.

Who manages and delivers the program?

The PGPPP program is administered by the same organisation that administers the vocational Australian General Practice Training (AGPT) program, General Practice Education & Training. At the regional level, these programs are delivered by Regional Training Providers (RTPs).

GP Synergy manages placements in Sydney and the New England/Northwest region of NSW. We are the second largest RTP in Australia, delivering General Practice education across the Sydney and the New England/Northwest area of NSW. Our commitment to quality education and in practice supervision is reflected in our highly regarded reputation by doctors across all stages of training.

GP Synergy is fortunate to work with some of Australia's leading General Practitioners creating extensive networking opportunities for our trainees and invaluable learning opportunities.

Where can I undertake a PGPPP rotation?

PGPPP placements are available in nearly all hospital networks in NSW. GP Synergy manages placements in Sydney and the New England/Northwest region of NSW.

Details of the exact location of the posts and practice profiles will be available shortly.

GP Synergy PGPPP Posts

GP Synergy offers PGPPP placements in a range of locations in several hospital networks. Visit the PGPPP Posts page for more information.

Other placements might be available with other RTPs who share a network with GP Synergy. For more information about all posts available in NSW click here.

What's it like in a PGPPP placement?

PGPPP rotations take place in GP practices which are already accredited to train GP registrars. This means PGPPP practices have lots of teaching experience, a passion and enthusiasm for education and PGPPP doctors will be able to meet and network with registrars currently in GP training.

During a PGPPP rotation, PGPPP participants are well supported with direct supervision, weekly teaching sessions and participation in tailored education programs. For more information about education, see the Education and Support page.

PGY2 PGPPP doctors are required to consult the supervisor about management of patients at a frequency determined between the supervisor and the PGPPP doctor.

The number of patients seen by a PGY2 PGPPP doctor will depend on the supervisor's assessment of the PGPPP doctor's capabilities. Initially, the PGY2 doctor will see 2 patients an hour and supervisors will need to oversee and sign off consultations until they are comfortable with the PGPPP doctors ability.

Some procedures are required to be supervised when undertaken by the PGPPP doctor for the first time (e.g. Pap smear). PGY2 doctors have their own Medicare Provider Number and the supervisor shares responsibility for individual patients with the PGPPP doctor.

A PGY2 doctor can undertake home and nursing home visits, after hours work and on-call services, and hospital work. These are initially directly supervised until the GP supervisor is confident of the PGY2 doctor's skills and capabilities.

PGY1 PGPPP doctors consult the supervisor about each consultation and the supervisor takes primary responsibility for individual patients, with the PGY1 doctor taking limited responsibility. PGY1 (Intern) PGPPP participants can see a maximum of 2 patients per hour. For all consultations the supervisor is required to attend the consult once the history has been taken and the doctors actions are ready to be checked and signed off.

Why should I consider doing a PGPPP rotation?

All junior doctors who have not yet enrolled in a specialty training program should consider a PGPPP rotation, even those not considering General Practice as a career!

For some a PGPPP rotation might affirm their decision to enter the profession, but for others it might offer invaluable insight into primary care, enhancing their clinical and consultative skills and future professional exploits.

PGPPP benefits include:

  • The opportunity to experience general practice in a real-life setting over and above that experienced in undergraduate training;
  • Exposure to treating a range of medicine and diverse clinical presentations and patients;
  • Individual mentoring from experienced GP supervisors and access to quality teaching and resources for your professional development;
  • Networking opportunities important for GP training applications and/or future practice as other healthcare professionals;
  • Development of transferable, lifelong skills that you can take into any profession;
  • Increased understanding of the primary health care system and the role of GPs in the community.

Where to find out more

To find out more about GP Synergy's PGPPP placements, contact Jani Mal on janim@gpsynergy.com.au or talk to your JMO Manager.

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