Research Training Program Committee

Approved by: Education and Training Committee
Approved Date: August 2017 

Background and Rationale

The Research Training Program (RTP) Committee is formed consequent on the 4 year period of operations of the RTP (Implementation) Working Party. The RTP WP was set up originally to address the establishment of the RTP at RACMA with the aim to develop a Research Training Program Framework in line with the RACMA Medical Leadership and Management Curriculum.

In April 2016, after a review of the RTP and progression of the research training submissions, the WP recognised a need for transition to another form of governance under the leadership of a College appointed Dean of Research. 

The College now believes that an RTP Committee should continue to meet as required and advise on operational, implementation and research assessment related matters, and to monitor Candidates’ progression, provide original research ideas for research projects and quality of learning in the Research Training Program. To this end it will assemble a Credit Review Panel and a Research Assessment Panel.
 
The role of the RTP Committee is to:

• Develop and ensure the RACMA Training Program to support the RTP is delivered to Candidates
• Provide advice and direction on operational assessment related matter for the RTP
• Review and maintain the content of the RTP Handbook
• Report to Board of Censors (BOC) and the Education and Training Committee (ETC) on the RTP assessment outcomes
• Provide training to RTP Assessment Panel members

Panels

The RTP Committee will form the following Panels:

1. The Credit Review Panel provides advice to the National Office on the acceptability of prior learning in a candidate’s prior or published work for its research effort and consonant with the published College guidelines for Health Services Research.

1. Research Assessment Panels will undertake assessment of candidates’ initial proposals (including ethics application) as well as oral presentations and final research-based written papers.
2. RTP will establish appropriate mechanism for membership of the panels including length of term.  

Membership of the Committee

This committee will be chaired by the Censor for Research Assessment.

The RTP Committee will be made up to 6 College members, who have been granted membership of the Board of Censors in the category of research assessors. 

Members may also be co-opted for specific input: a Candidates Representative or a newly graduated Fellow can be called to take part in the discussions or for consultation purposes.

Quorum of 2 is required i.e. either Dean/Chair and another member.

Reporting 

The RTP Committee will report to the ETC, with specific matters on summative assessment to be noted by BOC.

Meetings

The RTP Committee will meet quarterly, and/or as required or at the request of the National Office.  

Responsibilities of RTP Committee Members

Members of the RTP Committee will:

• Attend the meetings as advised and participate in the determination of any decisions/strategies that need to be addressed
• Take part in the evaluation of credit applications and in the assessment of the oral presentations and Research written work as required
• Participate in standard setting and calibration exercises as required for annual reporting
• Provide support to the Censor for Research as required
• Provide advice to Candidates at the request of the National Office staff on RTP related matters
• Meet appropriate governance standards in relation to communication and feedback to the Candidates
• Engage in the development of reports as required

Related documents and procedures:

RTP Handbook
College Handbook
Policy for Recognition of Prior Learning Policy
RACMA Medical Leadership and Management Curriculum