Trainee exit survey report
The RANZCP surveys trainees and Specialist International Medical Graduates (SIMGs) who have completed training about their experience of the Fellowship program.
The results of the survey help shape changes and improvements to the RANZCP education and training programs.
The report of the 2022 Trainee Exit Survey will include a comparison against the previous survey results (2020 and 2021).
2022 RANZCP Trainee Exit Survey Report
265 trainees and SIMGs who completed training in the period January–December responded to the 2022 survey - 54.3% response rate.
Report highlights
There are no specific areas of disagreement in the perception of the training program and its contribution to the development of clinical skills as a psychiatrist, and this trend has remained unchanged since 2020. However, the development of “soft” skills in leadership and management, audit and clinical safety and research has also remained unchanged at a significantly lower level than satisfaction with clinical skill development.
Although there was no specific area with poor performance in clinical supervision, the rate has decreased in most aspects since 2020 and monitoring this item is highly recommended.
For a second consecutive year there is negative feedback regarding centrally administered assessments. Feedback clearly has been recognised as a source of discontent. There is a deterioration in the perception that examinations ran smoothly and were conducted fairly.
The workplace-based assessments were better perceived than College administered assessments.
Perceptions related to supervision and the FECs need to be closely monitored because respondents continue to consider FECs to have a weak contribution to the Fellowship program.
There is a negative perception regarding the communication from the College about training and the communication with respondents about changes that affect them.
The perception of respondents regarding engagement decreased in all aspects and particular attention should be paid to the low agreement that the College sought their views and that they felt represented on College training education committees.
The analysis of free-text responses of the 2022 Exit Survey suggests a change in tone from previous surveys. This is likely to be due, at least in part, to the impact of Covid 19 and the failure of the AVOSCE in November 2021.Whilst not all respondents would have been directly impacted as a candidate in the November 2021 AVOSCE, it appears that this event has affected them.
Areas for improvement
The survey also revealed areas that trainees found difficult. The RANZCP is progressing with a number of activities to address the issues raised.
Examinations
The feedback on exam performance has been recognised as a source of significant discontent among respondents, as well as the time taken to circulate result letters.
RANZCP actions
2023/2024 Work is underway to further reduce the time between the examinations and the result letters.
Supervision
The overall positive perception of the quality of supervision has slightly decreased. Although there is no specific area with poor performance, the rate has decreased in most aspects since 2020.
RANZCP actions
2023 A working group, chaired by Dr Shane Gill, has been established. A key focus of the group is the development of educational resources to support supervisors in their role.
Formal Education Courses
Formal Education Courses are considered by respondents to have a weak contribution to the Fellowship program. A clear trend established over the last three rounds of the survey confirms that the FECs are not perceived as applicable to real-life clinical situations and have little contribution to examination preparations.
RANZCP actions
2023 Curio Consulting has been engaged to undertake a review of the role of FECs in the Fellowship Program under the guidance of a steering group chaired by Dr Warren Keely-Bateman. The review is on track to provide a final report and recommendations for consideration by the end of 2023/early 2024.
College communication and interaction
There was a negative outcome compared to 2021 in communication items. Only 58% of trainees agree that communication with the College was satisfactory, and 63% that the College clearly communicates with them about changes in the program and how affect them.
RANZCP actions
A number of initiatives are under development in 2023, in consultation with the Bi- National Committee for Trainees and Trainee Advisory Council to improve communication between the College and trainees. These include a new change management policy which requires a communication plan, with clear timelines to be developed.
Engagement
Consistent with previous years, there was a perception that trainee representation is not included on College committees and that their views are not adequately considered in the changes being implemented to the Fellowship program.
RANZCP actions
2023 - The RANZCP Board has appointed Dr Ava Gardner as the second Appointed Director, Trainee. The Bi-National Committee for Trainees and Trainee Advisory Council have been established, and trainees are represented on over 100 College Committees. The new structure will be evaluated in 2024.
Previous reports
2021 Trainee Exit Survey [PDF; 378 KB]
2020 Trainee Exit Survey [PDF; 378 KB]
2016 Admission to Fellowship Survey [PDF; 1.1 MB]
2015 Admission to Fellowship Survey [PDF; 513 KB]
2014 Admission to Fellowship Survey [PDF; 518 KB]
For any questions about the survey or the reports, contact education@ranzcp.org.