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Trainee exit survey report
The RANZCP surveys trainees and Specialist International Medical Graduates (SIMGs) who have completed experiential training and the requirements of the training pathways for their Fellowship program.
The survey results help shape changes and improvements to the RANZCP education and training programs, as well as the experience of the Fellowship Program.
The report of the 2023 Trainee Exit Survey includes a comparison against the previous survey results (2021 and 2022).
2023 RANZCP Trainee Exit Survey Report
274 trainees and SIMGs who completed training in the period January–December 2023 responded to the survey – a 55.1% response rate.
Report highlights
Overall, the training program is considered to make a positive 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 of satisfaction in comparison to clinical skill development.
There is no specific area with poor performance in clinical supervision, and the rate has increased in most aspects evaluated since 2020.
For a third consecutive year, the report shows negative feedback regarding centrally administered assessments.
Other findings include:
- a deterioration in the perception that examinations ran smoothly
- workplace-based assessments were better perceived than centrally administered assessments
- a continued perception that FECs do not demonstrate a strong connection to success in the Fellowship program
- more positive perceptions from the trainees on the level and quality of communication and information about training and assessment
- mixed results regarding trainee engagement with the College. While it showed that trainee representation across College activities has increased, there has been no significant improvement in the perception that the College seeks the views of trainees
For the first time, the 2023 Exit Survey introduced questions regarding workplace environment and culture. The survey highlights a potential gap in trainees’ confidence to raise concerns about issues such as bullying and harassment.
When discussing future career intentions, there is a notable upward trend and improvement in the interest in Indigenous health and medical education. However, the interest in rural practice and involvement in medical research have decreased slightly over the years.
Areas for improvement
The survey revealed areas of difficulty or challenges in the progression for trainees through their trajectory of the training program. The RANZCP is progressing with a number of activities and strategies to address the issues raised.
Examinations
The insufficient feedback on exam performance to trainees has been recognised as a source of significant discontent among respondents, including concerns around the time taken to circulate result outcomes and letters.
RANZCP actions
Work is underway to further reduce the time between the examinations and the result letters. Scoping to introduce an online platform for the delivery of the written examinations is underway with an intention to trial in 2025 and implement in February 2026. An online platform will assist in reducing the time taken for results letters and create a better platform for the trainees to undertake these examinations.
Supervision
The overall positive perception of the quality of supervision has increased in 2023.
RANZCP actions
A working group, chaired by Dr Shane Gill, has been established to address the development of online resources to support supervisors and enhance mechanisms for trainees to provide feedback to improve the performance and engagement of supervisors.
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 four 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
A review of FECs was undertaken by Curio Consulting in 2023. The report, and its recommendation that there is more centralised College oversight of FECs, was accepted and endorsed by the Board. A project to transform the FECs is in its early stages and will take several years to implement.
College communication and interaction
In 2023 results indicated continued issues with the clarity of communication regarding the Fellowship program requirements and changes to the program. Understanding of the supports available and who to contact at the College for queries about the Fellowship program is still seen as a concern with respondents showing a notable decrease in their satisfaction.
RANZCP actions
In consultation with the Bi- National Committee for Trainees and Trainee Advisory Council, Trainee Engagement Strategy has been implemented by the College with a set of activities aimed to improve communications with the trainees. The impact of this strategy will be evaluated during 2024.
