FRACGP Industry Regulations 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Under the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) framework, which body is responsible for setting the standards and accrediting GP training programs in Australia?
- Australian Medical Association (AMA)
- Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) (Correct answer)
- Medical Board of Australia (MBA)
- Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care (ACSQHC)
Correct answer: Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP)
The RACGP is the accrediting body for GP training programs and sets the standards for fellowship through its curricula and training requirements.
Question 2: A GP discovers that a colleague is practising while impaired by alcohol. Under mandatory reporting obligations in Australia, what is the GP's legal duty?
- Inform the colleague's spouse or next of kin
- Report the practitioner to AHPRA immediately (Correct answer)
- Document the concern internally and review in 6 months
- Contact the Australian Medical Association for guidance only
Correct answer: Report the practitioner to AHPRA immediately
Under the Health Practitioner Regulation National Law, registered practitioners must report a colleague they believe is practising while impaired, placing the public at risk, to AHPRA.
Question 3: Which legislation primarily governs the privacy of patient health information held by private medical practices in Australia?
- Health Records Act 2001 (Vic)
- Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) and the Australian Privacy Principles (Correct answer)
- National Health Reform Act 2011 (Cth)
- Public Health Act 2010 (NSW)
Correct answer: Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) and the Australian Privacy Principles
The Privacy Act 1988 and its Australian Privacy Principles (APPs) govern how private sector health service providers, including GP practices, handle personal health information.
Question 4: In Australia, a Schedule 8 (S8) controlled drug such as oxycodone requires what type of prescription in most states and territories?
- A standard PBS prescription form
- A state/territory-specific controlled drugs prescription (Correct answer)
- An electronic prescription only via electronic prescribing systems
- A verbal order confirmed in writing within 24 hours
Correct answer: A state/territory-specific controlled drugs prescription
Schedule 8 drugs require a specially regulated prescription, typically on state/territory-approved controlled drugs forms, with strict record-keeping requirements.
Question 5: A patient consents to a procedure but is not informed of a material risk that subsequently eventuates. Which landmark Australian case established the standard for informed consent in medical practice?
- Rogers v Whitaker (1992) (Correct answer)
- Bolam v Friern Hospital Management Committee (1957)
- Donoghue v Stevenson (1932)
- Breen v Williams (1996)
Correct answer: Rogers v Whitaker (1992)
Rogers v Whitaker (1992) established that Australian doctors must disclose all material risks a reasonable patient in the patient's position would want to know.
Question 6: Under the National Registration and Accreditation Scheme (NRAS), what is the minimum continuing professional development (CPD) requirement for GPs to maintain their registration?
- 50 hours per year as specified by the Medical Board of Australia
- The RACGP QI&CPD triennium requirements, including a mix of educational activity, reviewing performance, and measuring outcomes (Correct answer)
- 30 hours per year of any accredited medical education
- CPD is voluntary and not linked to registration renewal in Australia
Correct answer: The RACGP QI&CPD triennium requirements, including a mix of educational activity, reviewing performance, and measuring outcomes
GPs must meet the RACGP's CPD program requirements in the triennium, covering educational activities, reviewing performance, and measuring outcomes, to maintain registration.
Question 7: Which of the following best describes a GP's obligations regarding clinical documentation under Australian medico-legal standards?
- Records must be kept for a minimum of 2 years from the date of the last entry
- Records must be kept for 7 years from the date of the last entry, or until the patient is 25 if a minor (Correct answer)
- Records may be destroyed after the patient dies provided next of kin are notified
- Electronic records have no minimum retention period under federal law
Correct answer: Records must be kept for 7 years from the date of the last entry, or until the patient is 25 if a minor
Australian medical record retention requirements generally mandate keeping records for 7 years from the date of the last entry, or until a patient turns 25, whichever is longer.
FRACGP Industry Regulations 2
Under the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) framework, which body is responsible for setting the standards and accrediting GP training programs in Australia?