A WBA is a comprehensive one-day assessment undertaken at the hospital approved for your clinical practice assessment (CPA) period.

The WBA is usually undertaken towards the end of your CPA period. You must have successfully completed at least six months of CPA (with at least three months at the hospital where you will be doing the WBA) before arrangements for your SIMG WBA can begin. We'll write to you before this time to begin arrangements. 

The WBA will be conducted by two ANZCA fellows. One assessor will observe your morning and afternoon lists while the other will interview staff chosen by you. Both assessors will meet with you in the afternoon to undertake case-based discussions.

After the WBA, our Director of Professional Affairs - SIMG will review the assessors’ findings and we will send you the outcome of the WBA.
 

We'll contact you when arrangements for your WBA can commence. Please be aware that arrangements will not start until you've had your position approved for your CPA period and we've received the WBA payment.

If you've had a position approved at interview, arrangements for the WBA begin as soon as we've received the  WBA fee payment. Please be aware that it usually takes at least 12 weeks to arrange a WBA. We'll liaise with your supervisor to determine a suitable date for the WBA.

You'll need to complete a timetable for the day of your SIMG WBA and will need to schedule 12-15 colleagues and staff with whom you have worked, for multi-source feedback interviews with the assessors. You should give careful consideration to selecting a range of people who are able to provide information about your attributes/qualities as a specialist.

You should provide a copy of this document to any staff who agree to participate in the multi-source feedback, which will assist them in understanding their role in the SIMG WBA process. The assessors may also speak with other staff (not listed in your timetable) throughout the day. If you're unable to schedule enough people for multi-source feedback please contact us to discuss.

You'll also need to send us an updated CV and signed agreement, at least two weeks prior to your WBA.

You should arrange a private room with a table and chairs where the assessors can meet, conduct the interviews and review the case records. Easy access to a telephone is essential. You'll also need to ensure that you have the following documents available for the assessors at your WBA:

Anaesthesia SIMG
You are required to provide 20 anaesthesia records and where possible, these records should be de-identified. It is preferable that you provide the entire patient file including all anaesthesia records. As a minimum the file should include:

• The anaesthesia record including pre-op assessment.
• The Post Anaesthetic Care Unit (PACU) record.
• Drug charts.
• Fluid balances.
• Analgesia forms.

At least half of the records should be from cases in the last three months. Records should include cases that were challenging and/or had complications. Cases should be from a variety of surgical/medical procedures.

Pain medicine SIMG
You are required to make available to the assessors the following information:

• 10 patient management records in which you demonstrate evidence of substantial clinical management over a period allowing assessment, initiation of treatment, review and evaluation of outcome. Records should allow access to communication with other practitioners (such as clinical letters to GPs and specialists). The records should allow the assessor to evaluate your management across a variety of pain presentations and should be chosen accordingly; and
• Current certificate of registration.
• Evidence of CPD participation which must include your progress to date including your plan. You are still required to submit your CPD to the SIMG administrative team at the college.
• Details of any secondments undertaken (if applicable).
• Any other documents that you consider applicable.

One of the assessors will contact you prior to your SIMG WBA to confirm arrangements for the day and answer any questions you may have.

Both assessors will meet with you early in the morning to discuss the day’s program and timetable, answer any queries and access the required documentation. The assessors will confirm consent by all relevant parties for their presence.

One assessor will observe your morning and afternoon lists and, when appropriate, may ask you questions during your procedures. The other assessor will speak with those staff chosen by you for interview according to your prepared timetable. Last minute re-arrangement of the interview program is not unusual and is unlikely to be a problem. A clerical officer can be very helpful in facilitating such changes.

Both assessors will meet with you mid-afternoon to discuss scenarios from your patient cases, and other relevant medical issues, raise any issues of concern and seek clarification where necessary. At this point you may ask any questions you may have. You may be asked for feedback on the WBA process from your perspective.

Once the SIMG WBA is completed the assessors will forward us their findings. These will then be reviewed by DPA SIMG/FPM Assessor or the SIMG Committee. The outcome of this review will be forwarded to you and your nominated supervisor within 21 days of the SIMG WBA.

If the SIMG WBA is determined to be unsatisfactory the SIMG Committee will review your SIMG process under regulation 23.12.