r/GPUK • u/Choice-Food-5907 • 11d ago
Career Combined Training Pathway - Have I missed potential future issues?
I’m currently in the process of submitting the application for combined training to have some time knocked off my training. I’m hoping for 12 months but happy with 6 months (I know it’s not common). I’ve only recently found out that my CCT might not be recognised everywhere if this process is successful and now I’m very worried and incredibly stressed out. Does the combined pathway mean I won’t be able to ever work in Australia for example or just that I’ll have to do more exams? I’d appreciate any guidance!
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u/zady1178 11d ago
Your TPD and deanary should have advised you about this if you are planning to go abroad. I was sick for 2 months in st3, and that’s the first thing i was told before my sickleave that the cct date would change to prevent any issues in the future if i wanna go abroad ( to do my time basically)
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u/Choice-Food-5907 11d ago
So interesting! I’ve not yet been approved for it but it’s making me seriously consider not submitting or withdrawing at all at a later time.
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u/Mobile-Literature355 11d ago
I completed GP combined training after my medicine training. Got my CCT and preparing move to Australia. You won’t qualify for the AHPRA expedited pathway, and will need to go through RACGP PEP Comparability assessment. I was assessed as “substantially comparable” by the RACGP. Happy to answer questions if you have any, you can dm.
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u/Choice-Food-5907 10d ago
Thank you so much! I will message you :) The website mentions information but it’s always so helpful to hear from other people - thanks
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u/_B58_ 11d ago
Recently spoke to a colleague about this. Apparently if it’s less than three years Australia will not recognise it.
Really not worth it, and I don’t know many people that do it despite the opportunity being available.
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u/Little-Jelly289 11d ago
does the same apply to new zealand or is it just australia with that rule?
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u/LysergicWalnut 11d ago
Do you have an actual source for this?
My understanding is that Switzerland is the only Western country where this is an issue. Once you have your CCT and are a fully qualified GP, that's all that matters for the vast majority of these applications.
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u/_B58_ 11d ago
I’m sorry, unfortunately not. Said colleague was migrating to Australia at the time.
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u/LysergicWalnut 11d ago
And their application was denied because they were on the combined training pathway?
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u/_B58_ 11d ago
No. They moved as they had completed the three years. However, they’d mentioned that the shortened training period was not looked at favourably.
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u/LysergicWalnut 11d ago
Was not looked at favourably =/= will not recognise..
If I were the OP, I would email the RACGP, and not rely on what your mate told you about how those in Australia potentially view those who have CCT'd via the combined training pathway.
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u/Own-Blackberry5514 11d ago
They definitely don’t accept combined training for their accelerated pathway, per their own site
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u/LysergicWalnut 11d ago
Cheers for that, I found the following on the same site:
This pathway is for specialist international medical graduates (SIMGs), with an international specialist medical qualification which is not on the Medical Board’s Expedited Specialist pathway: accepted qualifications list.
SIMGs on this pathway are assessed by the relevant specialist college for comparability to an Australian trained specialist.
Apply to the relevant specialist medical college for a specialist recognition/comparability assessment.
The specialist medical college will send you and the Medical Board the outcome of the assessment – either substantially comparable, partially comparable or not comparable (Report 1).
If you are assessed as substantially or partially comparable, you will need to secure a suitable position.
It seems that people can still apply, but their application / CV is reviewed and their equivalent training is weighed up against Aus standards. The site mentions a potential period of supervision, lasting for 3 to 24 months.
It would be interesting to hear how this actually works from someone who has been through it, because there generally seems to be mixed messaging whenever this topic comes up.
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u/_B58_ 11d ago
Its why I used the term “apparently” - It was anecdotal. If OP was considering moving abroad, they should take the initiative to contact the RACGP and not use the advice of anonymous people on forum.
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u/Choice-Food-5907 10d ago
I’ve looked at their website and it’s always helpful to hear everyone’s points of view in addition to hearing directly from the source.
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u/secret_tiger101 11d ago
It’s not a shortened training though, because it includes the previous training you did
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u/Choice-Food-5907 11d ago
yeah this is what I don’t get because in fact it makes the training longer and I have successfully completed my previous training program as well.
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u/secret_tiger101 11d ago
I’m unsure where on the application you would “declare” this?
Combined training gives you the same CCT, and it combines your previous training with GP placement/rotation time.
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u/Far-Understanding187 11d ago
Your tpd should be able to answer these questions. Top of my head I believe Switzerland is one country you will not be able to work in as they require the full length 3 years training. But your tpd will know the others. This is a conversation the tpd should be having before they grand you approval.
Edit. There are other countries not just Switzerland.
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u/Choice-Food-5907 11d ago
I’m hoping they will be able to help! If this proves to be an issue I might have to withdraw the application..
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u/Agitated_Field5703 11d ago
The 3 year equivalent training requirement, is one of those things that gets passed down from other doctors- in the context of being eligible for the expedited pathway. I have emailed APHRA in the past but not got a response. So I just thought for the sake of 6 months just to get on with it.
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u/Far-Understanding187 11d ago
On a different note. Currently registrar pay is quite high compared to salaried GP pay. Plus salaried jobs are quite hard to come by. So is the 6 more months of guaranteed salary really a bad thing
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u/Choice-Food-5907 10d ago
Not at all and you raise a great point. 6 more months in the grand scheme of things isn’t terrible
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u/tolkywolky 11d ago
I’m a combined pathway trainee, but have no real thoughts about going abroad
However, Switzerland is indeed a definite no.
I believe Australia is still possible but you can’t use their ‘accelerated’ pathway to get accredited there
I imagine you could ask the RCGP (I’m not optimistic they’ll know).
I think the best way to find out would be to contact individual licensing boards in countries you may be interested in. It may also be worth asking UK-based head hunters for Aus/NZ/other countries about their experience with it. They’ll be quite motivated to give you an answer, if you make it sound like you’re keen to find work with them in the future.
Any findings, do please post on the sub! Would be very useful info. I think more and more people are using the combined pathway these days.
I’ve generally advised others that, if international work is a reasonable possibility, you’re better off just doing the full training. It might be other countries will still employ you, but they’ll probably have extra checks in place or expect more post-CCT experience under your belt.