Written teaching program

The RPA BPT Network has a well-established and comprehensive written teaching program. Leveraging the experience and expertise from being the only BPT Network to organise a FRACP Written Examination Revision Course, RPA BPTs are well supported to develop their knowledge base to pass the FRACP written exam with an array of learning opportunities, including daily small-group teaching from senior clinicians, interactive MCQ sessions, weekly journal club and multiple trial examinations. Key elements of our program include:

Protected teaching time

RPA Written Exam Lecture Series

Our comprehensive program of over 100 lectures delivered by senior clinicians prepares our trainees for the RACP Divisional Written Examination. A framework of knowledge is provided to build on for future practice as a physician. Lectures are held every weekday morning from 7.30-8.30am and Thursday afternoon from 3.30-5.30pm (August to February).

MCQ Sessions

In the lead-up to FRACP written examination in January and February, the morning and Thursday afternoon teaching sessions switch focus to subspeciality MCQ sessions. The sessions are an opportunity to cover practice questions with senior sub-specialty clinicians, enhance knowledge of common topic areas, and hit peak performance in time for the written exam.

Journal Club

Our BPT-led journal club is held weekly from August to January. With lunch provided, these sessions focus on critical analysis of recent research, as well as covering the foundation of MCQ questions in the RACP Written Examination.

Trial Written Exams

The RPA BPT Network annually conducts a full-length, 100-question internal trial exam under exam conditions. Furthermore, we work in collaboration with other ACT/NSW networks to sit an additional three statewide trial exams each year. All exams are marked collectively to create a larger cohort bell curve, offering trainees clearer feedback on their performance and progress.

RPA BPT Revision Course

The RPA BPT Network hosts an intensive two-week revision course (October–November) available for all trainees across Australia and New Zealand. This course supports trainees preparing for the FRACP Written Examination and includes lectures and MCQ sessions covering all major subspecialties. As the only written exam revision course organised by a BPT Network Training Team and delivered primarily by RPA clinicians, this course illustrates the exceptional education offered by the RPA BPT Network.

All RPA BPT Network Trainees will have the opportunity to attend a revision course as part of their written exam preparation, and have the option of attending the RPA BPT Revision Course in Sydney, DeltaMed in Melbourne or the Dunedin course in New Zealand.
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Clinical teaching program

A key strength of the RPA BPT Network is our comprehensive and integrated clinical teaching program. RPA has a culture of strong support for BPT teaching, with senior clinicians and advanced trainees actively engaged in teaching, mentoring and supporting BPTs pass their clinical exams. We offer the ideal mix of enthusiastic and high-quality bedside and classroom teaching, exam-quality long case and short cases (with access to specialty clinics to refine particular skills) and clinical experience to hone your clinical skills to pass the FRACP clinical exam and develop into an excellent physician. Key elements of our program include:

Long Case Weekend

A proud tradition within the RPA BPT Network, we provide a dedicated off-site clinical exam preparation weekend for trainees successful in the FRACP written exam. Fully subsidised by the RPA BPT Network, you will receive expert instruction from the training team and key RPA mentors with extensive experience supporting trainees to pass the FRACP clinical exam, as well as promoting teamwork and collegiality with your fellow trainees. Learn the time-tested strategies and approach that been a key component of the outstanding success of RPA trainees in the FRACP clinical exam.

Saturday Cases

We run Saturday cases weekly from March to June from 8-11.30am at RPA and Balmain. Simulating FRACP clinical exam conditions, trainees undertake 15-minute short-cases with exam-quality patients in outpatient clinic rooms. Trainees with be assessed and receive feedback by six consultants. Each week 4x trainees will undertake and present a ‘hot’ long case.

Specialty Case Days

Organised by individual departments, these specialty days provide trainees the opportunity to examine a diverse range of exam-quality outpatients typically seen in the FRACP clinical exam (but less commonly as inpatients) and receive assessment and feedback by specialists in the field. These sessions are invaluable for refining exam technique, presentation of findings and discussion, as well as exposure to rare conditions. We traditionally offer specialty days for Cardiology, Neurology, Respiratory, Rheumatology, Endocrinology and Abdominal examinations.

Long (and Short) Case Lunch

Weekly sessions on Mondays and Tuesdays 12.30-1.30pm (lunch provided) that focus on common long case topics and presentation techniques. Curriculum also includes sessions on short case technique and presentation. Led by consultants, advanced trainees, and allied health professional.

Thursday Masterclasses

Weekly protected teaching sessions on Thursday 3.30-5.30pm that deep dive into key high-yield topics important for both the long and short case.

Long and Short Case Roster

All pre-clinical trainees are rostered for 1–2 long and short cases weekly with consultants and advanced trainees. Additional cases can be arranged independently with mentors, other examiners and peers.

Mentoring Program

Each trainee is paired with a consultant and an advanced trainee mentor. Mentors support clinical training, trainee wellbeing, and career advice.

Trial Clinical Examination

Our trainees benefit from formal trial clinical examinations hosted by RPA, Dubbo Hospital and Bankstown-Lidcombe Hospital. Following the FRACP DCE examination conditions (timings, examination assistants, exam-quality outpatients, examiners), these formal trial examinations simulate the FRACP DCE. All trainees will complete a trial exam at RPA in May, and randomly selected trainees have the opportunity to complete an additional trial exam at either Bankstown-Lidcombe Hospital or Dubbo Hospital.