2024 has seen VGMTP complete another very successful year. The final BOS meeting of the year was focused on a review of the performance of VGMTP and highlighting directions for next year. We welcomed the 2025 FIGMS (Maria Shamim (WTA), Phil Chan (NTA) and Phil Belleville (SETA)) to their first BOS meeting and thanked the outgoing 2024 FIGMS (Sarah Petruzzelli (NTA), Ice Sotthivej (SETA) and Rupert Mitchell (WTA).

VGMTP is grateful to all the people who have contributed to the education program with a special mention for all those who presented at our training sessions and the actors who make communication skills so valuable.

Training Sessions

• 145 trainees were registered with VGMTP in 2024 with 135 geriatric medicine ATs. This represents our largest cohort of trainees.
• The average attendance at the 22 training days was 90 participants (with a mix of online and live attendance). 87 attended the Finale held as an in-person session.
• ATs were asked for feedback about sessions and suggested a mix of presentation styles including case discussions, panels and expert opinion. The feedback regarding use of in person hubs based at different hospitals for in-person, Alliance based attendance, was mixed.
• FIGMS suggested the possibility that core topics could be covered in pre-recorded sessions to allow new ATs to review these prior to commencement and to free up training days for more advanced topics. The use of streamed sessions with introductory and more advanced streams was discussed.
• Recording of the training days remains popular with over 400 hours of viewing in 2024, more than double the viewing time of 2023.
• The FIGMs produce a recorded highlights package following each training day reflecting on the session and how it might affect practice.
• Key recordings remain available as archival videos.

Communication Skills

• Dr Linda Appiah-Kubi has taken over as the Lead in Comm Skills and expanded the number of facilitators.
• The program continues to be a key strength of VGMTP, and further development will occur in 2025.
• Feedback from attendees remains strong. ATs feel challenged by the sessions but remain keen to attend future sessions.
• A small number of ATs do not attend Comm Skills sessions, and this will be monitored and reviewed in 2025.

Online Education Modules

• These remain online and usage is monitored. There were just under 1000 hits/month.
• VGMTP will monitor these and keep them up to date.

New in 2024

• Tasmania joined VGMTP. This has been successful and mutually beneficial. This process has piloted how regional sites, or a regional alliance might become involved in future training.
• An education program for Nurse Practitioners (and other interested nurses) commenced. Following feedback from NPs, a nurse led discussion group proved popular. This was led by VGMTP’s nurse educator, Christine Lloyd, with support from a Geriatrician and delivered via tele-education. We aim to deliver monthly sessions in 2025.

Centralised Match

• A single round centralised match (rather than the previous 2 round match) was held in 2024. Over 90% of the advertised positions were filled in the match.
• PMCV will run a single round match in 2025 which will open in early July 2025 with results published in late August.

Regional Alliance

• BOS discussed the proposal for a Regional Training Alliance that was put to Heads of Units on 28/11/24. In particular, the voluntary nature of Regional Training Partnerships and the flexible structure that can be developed to suit individual RTPs was highlighted.
• VGMTP has encouraged Regional and Metro sites to continue discussions about possible RTPs prior to our next scheduled meeting on 27/2/25.
• Information is now available on the VGMTP website.

2025 Initiatives

• The VGMTP Website is undergoing significant development and upgrades. We anticipate a new Training Program page will centralise access to sessions, recordings and resources. Other improves will also occur during 2025.
• VGMTP will work to ensure that Training Sessions reflect the new RACP Curriculum for Geriatric Medicine.
• New categories of VGMTP Membership. To broaden the range of people who can access VGMTP resources, we will introduce 2 new categories of membership
  • VGMTP Associates – these may be people working in geriatric medicine training positions but who are not Geriatric Medicine ATs. These doctors will still benefit from attending Training Sessions and accessing recorded sessions.
  • VGMTP Alumni – 2024 graduates will be invited to join the VGMTP Alumni. This will allow access to recorded sessions for 5 years. Once established, the alumni group may become self-governed rather than lead by VGMTP.
• Privacy review of data collection. VGMTP plans to review its handling of data to bring it into line with Privacy obligations. This will be an ongoing process.

Acknowledgements

• BOS acknowledged and thanked A/Prof Benny Katz at his last (official) BOS meeting prior to his planned retirement in 2025. Benny was the founder and driving force behind VGMTP and VGMTP is grateful for his passion and commitment to training and education of geriatricians.
• BOS remembered A/Prof Jenny Schwarz, who died in 2024. She was the foundation DOT for the WTA and Lead in Comm Skills for many years. She was a passionate advocate, role model, valued colleague and dear friend.

Our next BOS meeting is scheduled for 27/3/25.

A/Prof Benny Katz and Dr Rohan Wee

Co-Directors, VGMTP