Training the trainers
GP trainer workshop at Shenzhen Medical Education Centre earlier this year
Monash University’s Department of General Practice, in the School of Primary Health Care, is helping train future Chinese GP ‘champions’.
Nine Chinese doctors will undertake a residential training program over the next six weeks as part of a collaborative training program between Monash University, the Shenzhen Medical Education Centre and the Chinese government. They will be learning about general practice in Australia, general practice training and the Australian health care system.
The doctors are all experienced clinicians currently working in Chinese community health centres, where a significant portion of their time is spent in patient care and management.
The GP champions program developed through an initiative of Professor Shane Thomas, Deputy Dean (International), Faculty of Medicine and Professor Leon Piterman, Pro Vice Chancellor Berwick and Peninsula Campuses and recently retired Head of School. It involves a series of lectures on the practice and service delivery of family medicine from leading academics from Monash University’s School of Primary Care; observation sessions at community clinics as well as hospital and institutional visits, where the doctors will gain an overview of the running of an Australian hospital.
Associate Professor Lyn Clearihan, Director of Clinical Education and Professional Development in the School of Primary Health Care said the program has been designed to assist the doctors to further develop their communications skills as well as gain a broad understanding of what Australian general practice is within the larger health care system.
“On their return to China, the knowledge and skills they have developed through the course will assist them to become the future champions or supervisors of General Practice in China,” Professor Clearihan said.
“We are training the trainers of general practitioners of the future.”
The partnership between Monash University and the Shenzhen Medical Education Centre resulted from China’s interest in the delivery of the Australian health system at a general practice level. Several of the University’s researchers have visited China over the years such as Professor John Murtagh AM, Adjunct Professor of General Practice and Professor Thomas to investigate and undertake research opportunities.
“Our health system is a fascination to the Chinese,” Professor Clearihan said.
“We offer a form of socialised medicine where the government regulates the health service in a fee-for-service setting.”
“And John’s textbook, ‘Murtagh’s general practice’ – the bible of primary care – has been translated into Chinese.”
The collaboration started in April last year when the first group of doctors participated in the program. Plans are currently under way to host a group of Chinese health service administrators and managers in September/October this year.