Postgraduate medical education--comparisons between the United Kingdom and Australia

The strength of postgraduate medical education in the United Kingdom lies in the recognition that it is a continuing process from the preregistration year through the training grades into the stage of independent practice. The continuity derives from the support given to postgraduate deans by the universities, regional health authorities and professional colleges whose various contributions and training activities can be coordinated under the umbrella of the dean's office. This contrasts with the Australian scene where the responsibility for medical postgraduate education is still largely divided between the Australian Medical Council, individual state medical boards and the various professional colleges and faculties. Australia, has, however, devised a shorter basic and higher specialist training structure that ensures an earlier and more productive entry to independent practice. Australia has also accepted the principle of recertification which would seem to be a logical sequel to the committed system of defining and maintaining high standards of delivery of health care in the United Kingdom.