GENERALIST MEDICAL TRAINING: JAMES COOK UNIVERSITY TRAINING GPS FOR CAREERS WITH ADVENTURE, SKILLS AND IMPACT IN NORTH-WESTERN QUEENSLAND AUSTRALIA

Introduction and Objectives James Cook University’s Generalist Medical Training unit is a new organization delivering the Australian General Practice Training Program in North-Western Queensland, Australia from 2016. This paper outlines GMT ‘s establishment and its plans to address the workforce needs of the region. Methods In a first for an Australian university under AGPT, JCU has direct responsibility for providing 3-4 years of post-graduate training to RACGP or ACRRM Fellowship. Nationally there are over 4,000 AGPT registrars, with around 1,000 in Queensland. Half of those are in North-Western Queensland which makes up 90% of Queensland’s geographic area with a population of over 1.5 million, including 100,000 Aboriginal people and Torres Strait Islanders and most of Queensland's rural/remote towns and regional centres. Results and Conclusions JCU’s distinctive model of general practice training is integrated with clinical training delivered through clinical schools, rural training sites, and the Mount Isa Centre for Rural and Remote Health. The training model is community-engaged, collaborative and geographically-distributed, with smart use of technology and an emphasis on local delivery and development of local capacity. A strong apprenticeship model remains the core of training with a strategic intent to focus on the healthcare needs of remote and underserved areas and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and strengthen the training pipeline from medical school to a career in general practice. JCU will be building on the solid foundation established by previous GP regional training providers in concert with the RACGP, ACRRM and the Commonwealth Department of Health.