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Newsletter Issue 3
Welcome to the third Newsletter for the Australian Curriculum Framework for Junior Doctors (ACF) Project. This newsletter aims to update you on the Face to Face meeting of project groups and the project focus for the next six months.
Project Update
The National Steering Group (NSG) and the three Working Parties held a Face to Face Meeting in Sydney on 17 and 18 March. The meeting was well attended with 42 members of the groups representing an 80% attendance rate. The aim of the meeting was to facilitate communication by the groups and to ensure concordance with project goals. Discussions focused on key ACF areas including workplace implementation, assessment and resource development. A series of invited speakers set the scene and the discussions following helped to determine key project areas for focus in the coming months.
One particular issue of importance identified was the need to improve awareness of the ACF within the workplace. Whilst specific project work will focus on determining a communication strategy to achieve this goal, everyone interested in the ACF can be involved in this important task. We are hoping to develop a "toolkit" to help our stakeholder groups in achieving this communication regarding the ACF. Ideas regarding ways to raise awareness can be forwarded to the National Project Coordinator (NPC) at dpaltridge@cpmec-old.stagingwebsite.dev.
Following the successful discussions at the Face to Face meeting, the Working Parties have been tasked with developing a short and medium term plan for endorsement by the NSG at their next meeting on 29th May.
A full summary of the meeting can be viewed on the website at http://cpmec-old.stagingwebsite.dev/curriculum/discussion/index.cfm
Update from the working parties
The working parties continue to make progress towards achievement of their allocated tasks. The following provides some information as to the current activities of the groups:
a. The Workplace Implementation Working Party (WIWP) met on 1st April to discuss their priority areas following the Face to Face meeting. Two small subgroups have been formed, the first to develop a National Guidelines for Workplace Implementation and the second to develop a National Term Description template. In addition, the WIWP is developing a communication strategy to assist stakeholders in raising awareness of the ACF in the workplace.
The link to current projects involved in implementing the ACF remains a priority for the WIWP. A letter has been sent to all known projects asking for an update and "lessons learnt". This information will be used to inform the development of the national guidelines. Anyone with information regarding projects not listed in the summary document (which can be found at http://cpmec-old.stagingwebsite.dev/curriculum/discussion/index.cfm) can contact the NPC at dpaltridge@cpmec-old.stagingwebsite.dev .
b. The Assessment Working Party (AWP) met on 14th April. Like the WIWP they have formed a number of small groups to progress work in areas such as; development of a glossary of assessment terminology, review of the ACF verbs to facilitate assessment and the development of a National End of Term Assessment tool. The aim is to have the End of Term tool available for wide discussion at the Prevocational Forum in November.
c. The Curriculum Development & Learning Resources (CDLWP) Working Party will be meeting on 21 April. The CDLWP is interested in identifying individuals or groups with resources relevant to the ACF. If you think that you have a resource that would be relevant for inclusion in the ACF catalogue and would like to be notified of further information as it comes to light please register your interest at www.cpmec-old.stagingwebsite.dev/curriculum/catalogue.
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.
