Medical Training Review Panel 19th Report

International Medical Graduates

1. 
   The Specialist Pathway - specialist recognition is for international medical graduates (IMGs) who are overseas trained specialists applying for assessment of comparability to the standard of a specialist trained in that specialty in Australia.
   
2. 
   The assessment process in Australia is undertaken by the specialist medical colleges who are accredited by the Australian Medical Council. At the request of the Medical Board of Australia, the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) has appointed RACS to undertake the assessment of IMGs who apply for the Specialist Pathway.
   
3. 
   Under the Specialist Pathway - specialist recognition:
   

• 
  the IMG must apply to the AMC for EICS verification of their medical qualifications by submitting a primary source verification application
  
• 
  the IMG applies directly to RACS using the College application form
  
• 
  RACS assesses comparability against the criteria for an Australian and New Zealand trained specialist in the same field of specialty practice.
  

4. 
   The college will assess the IMG as not comparable, substantially comparable, or partially comparable.
   
5. 
   Following assessment, the IMG may be required to undertake a period of peer review (oversight), which may involve the completion of workplace based assessment(s), or
   a period of supervised practice, and further specified skills courses and activities which may involve college assessment, including examinations.
   
6. 
   After the IMG has completed all the college requirements, the college can recommend that the IMG be granted recognition as a specialist.
   
7. 
   The college aims to assess an application for specialist recognition within three months of receipt of complete application and payment of fees. Interviews are currently undertaken six times per year; in February, April, June, August, October and December.
   

The college assesses each IMG on an individual basis, scrutinising a range of documents submitted by the IMG and their interview performance (where invited). Following assessment the College determines a pathway to fellowship based on a comparison to the education and training of an Australian and New Zealand trained surgeon. The factors considered are:

• 
  recency of practice;
  
• 
  quantity, depth and scope of practice since completion of training;
  
• 
  education and training program completed; and
  
• 
  exit examination completed.