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Newsletter Issue 5
There has been significant progress with the project in the past few months. The National Steering Group met on the 29 September to consider a number of documents produced by the Working Parties. The following documents are currently with the Postgraduate Medical Councils for feedback and comment:
1. Principles of Assessment - this document is a high level principles document. It has been developed based on PMETB principles which we sought permission to adapt to the Australian climate. It is intended to guide future decisions regarding assessment in the prevocational years.
2. National Assessment Tools - there are three tools - a JMO self assessment tool, a mid term appraisal and end of term assessment tool.
3. National Term Description Template - this document would be used to provide a consistent approach to term descriptions across the country. Supplementary orientation materials would still be able to be added to the document as an appendix or separate document, but this would assist in mapping the term to the ACF.
It is hoped that the feedback will be collated and presented at the National Prevocational Forum in Hobart in November.
The following documents have been endorsed by the NSG and are now available on the CPMEC website (www.cpmec-old.stagingwebsite.dev) for use:
1. Glossary of Assessment Terminology - to facilitate discussions in regards to Assessment of PGY1 and PGY2 doctors. A common understanding of terminology is necessary to avoid confusion and provide clarity in regards to principles of assessment and the tools being used.
2. National Resource Development Guidelines - the purpose of these guidelines is to assist those individuals or groups wishing to develop an educational resource to address a Capability within the Australian Curriculum Framework for Junior Doctors (ACF). It is presumed that these will be most useful to those without an educational background, and/or who have not previously been involved in course or resource design.
3. Raising Awareness Toolkit - this toolkit consists of a PowerPoint Presentation, Suggestions for raising awareness, handout on the background to the ACF and details of how to purchase additional copies of the ACF or a Poster advertising the ACF. The aim of the toolkit is to assist those wishing to raise awareness of the ACF within their institution.
National Guidelines for Implementation - this document has been developed to raise awareness of the ACF, promote its value to stakeholders and to provide background guidelines and practical examples as to how the ACF may be implemented in your institution. These are guidelines to assist junior doctors, supervisors and institutions in the implementation of the ACF. The document has been developed to include a general description of activities along with suggested examples for individual audiences. The Guidelines are presented as a complete set or you are able to download a version for a specific audience group e.g. Junior Doctors, Educationalists, Supervisors or Administrators. These documents will be available on the CPMEC website by November.
The NSG has progressed their work regarding communication to promote vertical integration with University and Postgraduate College groups. A letter has been sent to each of the Deans of Medical Schools and the Presidents of Specialty Colleges to establish contact regarding this important initiative.
The NPD and the NPC continue to attend the teleconferences of the Australian Medical Council (AMC) Assessment subgroup. This attendance is facilitating ongoing dialogue and sharing of ideas and developments and the AMC will be providing feedback on the ACF project draft documents along with the PMCs.
MAPPING TOOL
The ACF project has a mapping tool which will allow mapping of curricula to the ACF. This tool has been developed by Dr Ian Graham. A PDF version of the tool is available on the CPMEC website and those interested in undertaking a mapping exercise should contact the NPC for a copy of the tool itself.
REVISION OF THE ACF
The NSG has endorsed a process for the revision of the ACF. This revision is necessary to take into consideration feedback received on the ACF over the past 18 months. The revision process will occur in the first half of next year with completion by the end of May 2009. More details will be provided in the coming months.
BARRIERS TO SHARING RESOURCES SURVEY
The Curriculum Development and Learning Resources Working Party are conducting a survey to identify barriers to sharing resources. They are interested in hearing from people who may have developed ACF related learning resources e.g MEOs, DCTs, JMOs.
The survey should only take a few minutes to complete. It can be completed online by visiting:
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=i2LTUPpZUQrbCb09HqQS_2bA_3d_3d
Survey responses are due by the COB 24th October, 2008.
NATIONAL PREVOCATIONAL FORUM
The ACF project will be presenting a number of key developments at the National Prevocational Forum to be held in Hobart 9-12 November. There will be an Assessment Plenary Session in which an audience response system will be used to gather feedback on recent developments, a workshop exploring the use of the Workplace Implementation Guidelines and a workshop on the Barriers to Sharing Resources.
CONTACT DETAILS
Please send comments, enquiries or feedback about this newsletter or the ACF project, to the National Project Coordinator (NPC), Mrs Debbie Paltridge, via dpaltridge@cpmec-old.stagingwebsite.dev
