James Cook University’s General Practice Training Program

10 May 2022

Looking for a medical education with a difference? James Cook University would like to meet you!

One of the world’s leading institutions focusing on the tropics, James Cook University is surrounded by the spectacular ecosystems of the rainforests of the wet tropics, the dry savannahs, and the iconic Great Barrier Reef. As such, JCU also recognizes their special obligation to be relevant to their own region and have forged close links into the economy and social fabric of the northern Queensland.

medical students wearing scrubs walking in hospital
Find out more about studying medicine at JCU

The university is dedicated to ensuring that teaching, learning, and research is not only of high quality, but also delivers practical benefits to meet the needs of the diverse communities of their region, with a focus on rural, remote and underserved communities, and the health of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

The Commonwealth Government chose James Cook University to deliver general practice (GP) training to the North Western Queensland training region from January 1, 2016. This was the first time an Australian university was selected to provide training for medical graduates seeking to become general practitioners. Regional offices were established to provide local delivery of education and training and to meet local needs.

General Practice Training Program

James Cook University’s GP training program is a unique training experience you won’t find anywhere else. JCU provides training in the medical specialty of general practice (GP) through their GP training program.  It is delivered through the College of Medicine and Dentistry under contract to the Australian Government and is part of the Australian General Practice Training (AGPT) Program.

The university’s GP training program offers range of ways you can tailor training to cater to your interest and career goals. Opportunities are available to undertake advanced and extended skills training, an academic post, or to work in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health.

JCU serves a population of more than 1.6 million people across a large and diverse geographical area. Northwestern Queensland offers a vivid mix of people and landscapes—from glorious beaches and mountains, hinterlands, spectacular rainforests, rich farmland, to wide savannah country, wilderness and the red soil of the Australian outback.

Advanced Skills Training
All Australian General Practice Training (AGPT) registrars pursuing Fellowship with the Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine (ACRRM) or Royal Australian College of General Practitioners’ (RACGP) and Advanced Rural General Practice (FARGP) must undertake training in an Advanced Skill at some stage during their training.

Extended Skills Training
Registrars on the RACGP pathway are required to complete six months of Extended Skills Training in an area of special interest. Extended Skills Training extends the depth and breadth of the registrar’s skill base in an area relevant to primary medical care.

Academic posts
Academic posts provide exposure to research and the academic environment and can be a great way to incorporate academic work into your career. As part of an academic post, registrars develop skills in research, teaching, project work and critical evaluation of research relevant to the discipline of general practice. An academic post can be great preparation for further postgraduate study in academic general practice.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health
The JCU GP training program provides registrars with a range of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health educational activities. A diverse range of training posts in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Service settings is also available, offering registrars an immersive experience in the provision of comprehensive primary health care to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

 

Highly skilled
Gain plenty of hands-on experience and be equipped with the skills to take on any challenge in any setting. From snake bites, tropical diseases, farming injuries, to chronic diseases, emergency presentations, anesthetics, obstetrics and much more, you’ll develop a diverse set of skills.

Diverse skillset
Expand your scope of practice through working in private clinics and in hospitals where you’ll gain experience treating a range of conditions in low resource settings.

Make a positive difference
Develop the skills to help improve the health of regional, rural, remote and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. Make a real impact in underserved communities while you train and be equipped with the skills to make a difference.

Excellent training support
Be supported throughout your training and learn from inspirational and experienced doctors who are passionate about helping you succeed.

Unique locations
Learn and live in amazing locations from tropical rainforests and beaches, to rich farmland, mountains and hinterlands, to the red dirt of the Australian outback. You’ll treat a diverse mix of clinical cases and conditions in hospitals and private, community-based general practices.

About the JCU Medical Program

JCU medical school offers an undergraduate-entry medical program that specializes in rural, remote and indigenous medicine and is located in north Queensland, Australia. Rather than having to earn a bachelor degree first, undergraduate-entry medical programs allow students to enter directly from high school. If you have completed high school studies or would like to apply to a medical school in Australia without using your MCAT score, you may wish to learn more about undergraduate-entry medical programs offered by Australian universities.

Program: Bachelor of Medicine Bachelor of Surgery
Location: Townsville, Queensland
Intake: February
Duration: 6 years

Start your application to JCU medical school!

*

Would you like to learn more about studying medicine at James Cook University? Contact OzTREKK’s Medicine Admissions Officer at medicine@oztrekk.com for more information.

NewsVideo