Survey Teams
Becoming a surveyor
PMCV accreditation relies on volunteer surveyors drawn from medical education and training in health service/general practices and general practices.
Surveyors may be nominated by:
- a health service/general practice or other organisation/professional body;
- invitation from the PMCV; or
- self-nomination and endorsement by PMCV.
Surveyors may include the following:
- A medical administrator;
- A Director of Clinical Training/Supervisor Prevocational Training/Term Supervisor;
- Medical Education Officer (MEO);
- HMO Manager;
- Hospital Medical Officer (HMO) Years 1 to 4;
- Senior medical staff/consultants with experience in the supervision of registrar/prevocational trainee supervision; and
- General practitioners with experience in registrar/prevocational trainee supervision.
Surveyors (other than HMOs) generally will have had a minimum of 2 years’ experience in their professional role and their nomination as a surveyor should be supported by their health service/general practice’s Director of Medical Services or equivalent.
All surveyors are required to attend an initial training workshop and to participate in at least two health service/general practice visits over a 2-year period (or one visit per year).
Allocation of surveyors
A survey team normally comprises 2-4 people, one of whom is the Team Leader, preferably includes a HMO and is supported by the Accreditation Manager.
The Accreditation Manager, in conjunction with the Chair of the Accreditation Subcommittee and the PMCV Medical Director, following consultation with health service/general practice to be surveyed, will determine a timetable for visits and the final allocation of survey teams for each survey visit.
Responsibilities of the survey team
The primary responsibility of the survey team is to conduct a comprehensive review of the supervision and training received by prevocational junior doctors (HMOs) at the health service/general practice under consideration. The survey team evaluates the health service/general practice as an effective training site and also evaluates each HMO position. It also recommends improvements in education and training for junior doctors.
Accreditation reviews are conducted against defined and clearly articulated standards and according to the following values:
- Promotion of education and training in a supportive learning environment
- Integrity
- Professionalism
- Impartiality and objectivity
- Confidentiality
Surveyors must participate in at least 2 survey visits every 2 years.
Position Descriptions for Accreditation Surveyors and Survey Team Leaders are now available.
Accreditation Guide for Surveyors
Conflict of interest and Confidentiality
Conflict of Interest
Members of survey teams should notify the Accreditation Manager if there is the possibility of a conflict of interest with the health service/general practice being surveyed. Examples of conflict of interests include:
- Current or previous employment (< 3 years) at the parent or rotation health service/general practice to be surveyed (& exclude immediate previous health service for HMOs).
- Professional or financial involvement in the health service/general practice.
- Current application for employment at the health service/general practice to be surveyed.
Confidentiality
Information obtained during an accreditation visit must be treated by the survey team and external surveyors in confidence. Matters concerning the accreditation should only be discussed with the health service/general practice staff concerned and Accreditation Subcommittee members. Team members should also treat with confidence all information provided by other team members during the review. At the completion of the review, all information should be sent to the Accreditation Manager for shredding. Surveyors must complete a Surveyor Confidentiality and Conflict of Interest Agreement after attending the surveyor training workshop.
Review of HMO positions must be against the established standards and criteria set out in the official Council publications and not against any other health service/general practice’s performance.