University of Newcastle Conjoint Professor Kichu Nair, AM, and the Centre for Medical Professional Development have been recognised for establishing a performance assessment program for international doctors working in NSW.

The Centre, a partnership between the University’s School of Medicine and Public Health and the Hunter New England Local Health District, initiates, coordinates and delivers professional development to the area’s 1500 doctors.

Centre Director, Professor Nair, and his team have received four accolades for the Workplace-Based Assessment for International Medical Graduates Program, including:

• NSW Premier’s Award for Innovation in Frontline Delivery

• The Director General’s Innovation Award at the 2011 NSW Health Awards

• The NSW Health Award for Building the Health Workforce

• Hunter New England Local Health District Quality Award for Building the Health Workforce at the 2011 Achievement Awards

The Workplace-Based Assessment for International Medical Graduates program is the first of its kind where graduates seeking certification through the Australian Medical Council standard pathway are assessed at the local level.

The program allows eligible international medical graduates to complete their medical assessment in the workplace setting, the right environment to identify and address performance issues.

University of Newcastle Pro Vice-Chancellor, Faculty of Health, Professor Nick Talley said the success of the program was attributed to the commitment of the Workplace-Based Assessment Team led by Professor Nair and the contribution of over 50 senior clinicians who dedicate their expertise to conduct the assessments.

“These four awards are testament to and recognition of more than two years’ work in developing and implementing workplace-based assessment for international medical graduates in the Hunter.”

Master of Clinical Medicine (Leadership and Management)

The philosophy behind the work based assessment program has been so successful that it will be included in the recently announced University of Newcastle Master of Clinical Medicine (Leadership and Management), for which Professor Nair acts as Program Director.

Developed in collaboration with NSW Health, the program will address the need for work-orientated leadership and management training for doctors and specifically complement the new career pathway for hospitalists.

The masters program will equip doctors experienced in patient care with the clinical leadership and management skills for high level patient care and drive improvements in hospital systems.

For more information visit http://www.newcastle.edu.au/program/12263.html