2025 Board of Studies 27^th March

2025 marks the 20^th year of VGMTP and we acknowledge the contributions of the founding director, A/Prof Benny Katz. Over the last 20 years, the quality of geriatric medicine training has contributed to making geriatric medicine a preferred training program for physicians.

Our 2025 program has commenced with both state-wide training sessions and Communication Skills sessions running over the last few weeks. We are looking forward to an exciting program of education sessions for Advanced Trainees and Nurse Practitioners.

In response to a suggestion from the 2024 FIGMS, a Welcome Quiz was run highlighting some key elements of geriatric medicine for ATs. These Quiz questions linked into our online modules to give new ATs somewhere to start their training. The initial feedback was positive with ATs who provided feedback generally finding the quiz approach appropriate. This will be revised for the new 2026 ATs.

The major development of the VGMTP website has been completed and now allows the creation of differing categories of access. This has allowed for the creation of VGMTP Associates (non-ATs who are working in geriatric medicine jobs) and an Alumni group. Access to training sessions and the associated resources is now via the Advanced Training Program page.

Advanced Trainees

• 144 registered trainees (133 ATs)
• VGMTP notes the ongoing under-recruitment to regional sites
• Early attendance at training sessions is high (common for numbers to wane a little during the year)
• Sessions continue to be recorded for later viewing and there is ongoing engagement with this avenue for accessing training.

Communication Skills

• VGMTP acknowledged and thanked Dr Linda Appiah-Kubi, the lead for Communication Skills, for the exceptional work she has done over 2024/25 reviewing and delivering this key part of geriatric medicine training
• Currently the program has 4 facilitators and 6 actors.
• A more proactive reminder system is now in place (much of it automated) to reduce unfilled places in Comm Skills sessions.

Nurse Practitioner Sessions

• These were a new initiative in 2024 and there will be an expanded program in 2025
• 7 sessions. 1^st session followed BOS.
• DOT and FIGMs will be assisting by providing support to CL during sessions.

Recruitment for 2026

• 3 pathways into AT positions for 2026
  • Regional Training Partnership positions – appointed prior to PMCV match
  • PMCV match positions
  • Part time/Job share – negotiated outside the PMCV match with individual Health Services

Greater Victoria Alliance (GVA)

• VGMTP continues to work towards the establishment of a 4^th Training Alliance to support advanced training in regional areas.
• The establishment of the GVA would complement the process of recruitment via RTP

RACP New Curriculum

• The DOT will continue to monitor the delivery of state-wide training sessions and consider how the RACP’s New Curricula for geriatric medicine impacts these sessions and planning for the 2026 program.
• A small group has formed to begin the process of reviewing VGMTPS’s program to see if any changes are needed to reflect the RACP New Curriculum.

Our next BOS meeting will be held on 26^th June 2025.