Medical Training Review Panel 19th Report

Specialist International Medical Graduate

A Specialist International Medical Graduate (S-IMG) wanting to gain recognition as specialist ophthalmologist in Australia must apply directly to RANZCO for assessment. Applications are made by submission of documents, including primary source verification of their relevant medical qualifications sought via the Australian Medical Council. The assessments are conducted by RANZCO’s S-IMG Committee which is made up of nine Fellows of the College and an external member. There are six stages in the assessment process:

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  Stage 1: college staff assembles full documentation;
  
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  Stage 2: S-IMG Committee reviews documentation;
  
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  Stage 3: S-IMG Committee interview the applicant (including medico legal status);
  
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  Stage 4: if required, S-IMG’s knowledge is further assessed by performance in RANZCO examinations (RACE - one or both components);
  
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  Stage 5: if required, clinical skills are then assessed by performance in supervised assessment; and
  
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  Stage 6: final interview by the S-IMG Committee.
  

At Stage 2 in the process, an interim decision on comparability is made:

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  S-IMG applicants are deemed substantially comparable pending interview if their training, qualifications and experience are considered comparable to an ophthalmologist trained and qualified in Australia. Following the interview RANZCO recommends specialist recognition to AHPRA, and the applicant is eligible to apply for RANZCO fellowship (in some cases the applicant may be required to undergo a period of oversight before being eligible to apply for fellowship);
  
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  S-IMG applicants are deemed partially comparable if the S-IMG Committee has identified gaps in their knowledge or experience. The applicant is required to undertake further assessment or training, Stages 4 and 5, and if performing satisfactorily he/she proceeds to final interview, Stage 6. If successful in interview, the applicant is eligible to apply for fellowship (in some cases the applicant may be required to undergo a period of oversight before being eligible to apply for fellowship); or
  
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  S-IMG applicants are deemed not comparable if the S-IMG Committee identifies gaps in their knowledge or experience which would require more than two years of specialist training in order to mitigate.
  

Decisions about comparability are made in accordance with attainment of the clinical curriculum areas, which underpin the practices of a general ophthalmologist in Australia.