The Board of The Royal New Zealand College of General Practitioners has announced that the College will not proceed with
its registrars’ first year clinical exams that were planned to commence at the end of February 2022. Instead, this
cohort of registrars will be assessed for an aegrotat grade.
With the anticipated rise in Omicron expected to coincide with the February exam timing, GPs will be a key force in
keeping New Zealanders safe. New Zealand has a critical GP workforce shortage, and it is essential that all College
members - both the highly experienced senior doctors who are relied upon for their examination expertise, and the pool
of very talented registrars, remain in their communities to serve their patients.
President of the College, Dr Samantha Murton said, "Giving our registrars an aegrotat assessment ensures we still test
their clinical skill and ability, but do it in a way that keeps them safe and leaves them in their communities where
they are needed most during this time."
The College surveyed both effected registrars and their examiners and received a clear and unified response from both
groups as to their preferences.
The College has had initial discussion with the Medical Council on the intended change to an aegrotat assessment for
this cohort, and will work closely with them to provide assurance that it meets the rigors of clinical safety and
competence.
Lynne Hayman, Chief Executive of the College said, "The health and safety of our registrars is of paramount concern to
the College but as a learning organisation, so is their clinical competence.
"Assessing them this way will ensure they still meet the high standard of clinical skill that the General Practice
Education Programme (GPEP) requires while also letting them ‘draw a line’ under their first year of general practice
study."