Australia
Data Strategy Published
The Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (Ahpra) has published its Data Strategy 2023–2028 after an extensive public consultation that took place between 2022–2023.
Ahpra consulted the public, practitioners, and various stakeholders, including employers and health system partners, on the strategy which sets the strategic directions for the collection, use, and disclosure of the data they hold and for future strategic data projects in the National Registration and Accreditation Scheme (the National Scheme).
The Health Practitioner Regulation National Law, as in force in each state and territory (the National Law), requires Ahpra to collect, use, and share data as part of their work to protect the public and facilitate access to a sustainable health workforce.
The full report is available at https://www.ahpra.gov.au/About-Ahpra/Data-Strategy.aspx
Source: Ahpra News Release, July 18, 2023
Canada
MCC Blueprint Project 2023
The Medical Council of Canada (MCC) has recently undertaken a review and revision process for the blueprints of its two large-scale examinations: the Medical Council of Canada Qualifying Examination (MCCQE) Part I and the National Assessment Collaboration (NAC) Examination.
The goals of the Blueprint Project are to:
Review the MCCQE Part I blueprint, including its various content dimensions, definitions and weightings, and make appropriate revisions
Align the NAC Examination blueprint with the MCCQE Part I blueprint while establishing a weighting specific to the purpose and format of the examination
I dentify new and emerging competencies relevant to entry into postgraduate training in Canada and practice-ready assessment (PRA) programs in Canada
In the coming months, the Blueprint Project team will gather data from a diverse range of sources including national surveys, literature and document reviews, focus groups, and key informant interviews. This comprehensive data collection process will go beyond traditional medical expertise and examine the importance of emerging societal and technological competencies in medical practice. The insights gathered will be presented in late 2023 to a subject matter expert panel charged with making recommendations to the MCC on the nature of its revised blueprints.
This comprehensive review and revision process demonstrates the MCC's commitment to maintaining the quality and relevance of its examinations, benefiting aspiring physicians, educational institutions, and the healthcare system as a whole.
Source: Medical Council of Canada News Release, June 23, 2023
United Kingdom
Workplace Discrimination and the Effects on Trainees
Micro-aggressions, negative comments, and stereotyping are just some of the workplace issues affecting trainee doctors, according to a report recently released by the General Medical Council (GMC).
The regulator's annual national training survey was completed by more than 70000 doctors across the UK who are either in training or act as trainers. It included questions on discrimination for the first time this year, uncovering worrying insights into the experiences of trainees.
The new questions posed to trainees covered topics such as unfair treatment, stereotyping, and confidence in reporting discriminatory or unprofessional behaviors. Answers relate to their experiences with colleagues or fellow healthcare professionals, rather than with patients or relatives.
Though most doctors in training say they work in supportive environments, more than a quarter (27%) said they have experienced micro-aggressions, negative comments, or oppressive body language from colleagues. Poor behaviors are more prevalent in some specialties, with instances rising to a third for those working in obstetrics and gynecology, emergency medicine, and surgery.
More than 1 in 10 trainee doctors reported they had felt ‘intentionally humiliated’ in front of others. The questions highlighted a particularly negative experience for those in their two-year long Foundation Program – doctors who have completed medical school and entered their first paid clinical work while training. One in 5 (22%) of foundation trainees said they'd been blamed for something they didn't do in their current post, compared to 1 out of 10 (10%) on specialty or core programs.
More than a quarter (28%) of trainees said they had heard insults, stereotyping, or jokes relating to their or another person's protected characteristics in their post. This number rose to 38% for foundation trainees.
The results highlighted that many feel uncomfortable speaking up. Only 6 out of 10 (60%) said they would feel confident about reporting discrimination without fear of adverse consequences.
The full report is available at https://www.gmc-uk.org/-/media/documents/national-training-survey-2023-initial-findings-report_pdf-101939815.pdf
Source: GMC News Release, July 11, 2023
