Critical thinking within the RACGP Training Program and the college examination

Current developments with the formalisation of the Program's curriculum provide the opportunity for the College to clarify its position on this important educational area. While not all GPs want to be involved in research, increasing demands for accountability for expenditure of insurer's (ie the government's) funds are inevitable. Skills related to audit of actual practice process and outcomes are likely to be required in the near future. The option of developing an audit project segment for the College examination should be considered. Critical appraisal skills could be assessed in the context of the development of standards for the audit. Similarly the efficacy of the Training Program in the development of accurate self-assessment skills in trainees should be researched. If found lacking, steps should be put in place to ensure that these educational processes become effective.