Curriculum standards

Ready to perform without supervision

Expected behaviours of a trainee who can routinely perform this activity without needing supervision

The trainee will:

• write relevant and detailed medical record entries, including clinical assessments and management plans
• write comprehensive and accurate summaries of care, including discharge summaries, clinic letters, and transfer documentation
• initiate and maintain verbal communication with other health professionals, when required
• communicate with patients, families, and/or carers about transitions of care, and engage and support these parties in decision making

Requires some supervision

Possible behaviours of a trainee who needs some supervision to perform this activity

The trainee may:

• communicate clearly with clinicians and other caregivers
• use standardised verbal and written templates to improve the reliability of information transfer and prevent errors and omissions
• communicate accurately and in a timely manner to ensure effective transitions between settings, and continuity and quality of care

Ready to perform without supervision

Expected behaviours of a trainee who can routinely perform this activity without needing supervision

The trainee will:

• use consent processes, including written consent if required, for the release and exchange of information
• identify patients at risk of poor transitions of care, and mitigate this risk
• use electronic tools (where available) to securely store and transfer patient information
• demonstrate understanding of the medicolegal context of written communications

Requires some supervision

Possible behaviours of a trainee who needs some supervision to perform this activity

The trainee may:

• ensure that handover is complete, or work to mitigate risks if incomplete
• ensure results are received and actioned
• keep patients’ information secure, adhering to relevant legislation regarding personal information and privacy
• ensure the safety and wellbeing of children and young people by providing information to others for the purpose of ensuring safety, according to relevant legislation

Ready to perform without supervision

Expected behaviours of a trainee who can routinely perform this activity without needing supervision

The trainee will:

• integrate clinical education in handover sessions and other transition of care meetings
• tailor clinical education to the level of the professional parties involved

Requires some supervision

Possible behaviours of a trainee who needs some supervision to perform this activity

The trainee may:

• take opportunities to teach junior colleagues during handover, as necessary

Ready to perform without supervision

Expected behaviours of a trainee who can routinely perform this activity without needing supervision

The trainee will:

• communicate with careful consideration to health literacy, language barriers, and culture about patient preferences, and whether they are realistic and possible, respecting patient choices
• recognise the timing, location, privacy, and appropriateness of sharing information with patients and their families or carers
• collaborate with health promotion officers, Indigenous health workers, and non-government organisations to achieve positive outcomes with specific communities

Requires some supervision

Possible behaviours of a trainee who needs some supervision to perform this activity

The trainee may:

• include relevant information regarding patients’ cultural or ethnic backgrounds, and whether an interpreter is required

Ready to perform without supervision

Expected behaviours of a trainee who can routinely perform this activity without needing supervision

The trainee will:

• disclose and share only contextually appropriate medical and personal information
• demonstrate understanding of the clinical, ethical, and legal rationale for information disclosure
• share information about patients’ care in a manner consistent with privacy laws and professional guidelines on confidentiality
• respect patients’ rights to privacy, and develop systems to ensure patients’ personal information remains confidential where appropriate
• demonstrate strategies to maintain enhanced confidentiality through clinic and systems measures
• manage unexpected or unanticipated disclosure of confidential information
• interact in a collegiate and collaborative way with professional

Requires some supervision

Possible behaviours of a trainee who needs some supervision to perform this activity

The trainee may:

• maintain respect for patients, families, carers, and other health professionals, including respecting privacy and confidentiality
• demonstrate understanding of legislation and policies related to some types of patient information, such as BBV status, and seek appropriate advice about disclosure of such information

Ready to perform without supervision

Expected behaviours of a trainee who can routinely perform this activity without needing supervision

The trainee will:

• ensure patients’ care is in the most appropriate facility, setting, or provider

Requires some supervision

Possible behaviours of a trainee who needs some supervision to perform this activity

The trainee may:

• use a structured approach to consider and prioritise patients’ issues
• recognise personal limitations and seek help in an appropriate way when required

Ready to perform without supervision

Expected behaviours of a trainee who can routinely perform this activity without needing supervision

The trainee will:

• share the workload of transitions of care appropriately, including delegation
• demonstrate understanding of the medical governance of patient care, and the differing roles of team members
• show respect for the roles and expertise of other health professionals, and work effectively as a member of professional teams
• ensure that multidisciplinary teams provide the opportunity for patients’ engagement and participation when appropriate

Requires some supervision

Possible behaviours of a trainee who needs some supervision to perform this activity

The trainee may:

• recognise factors that impact transfers of care, and help subsequent health professionals understand the issues to continue care
• work to overcome the potential barriers to continuity of care, appreciating the role of handover in overcoming these barriers

Ready to perform without supervision

Expected behaviours of a trainee who can routinely perform this activity without needing supervision

The trainee will:

• contribute to processes for managing risks, and identify strategies for improvement in transition of care
• engage in organisational processes to improve transitions of care, such as formal surveys or follow-up phone calls after hospital discharge

Requires some supervision

Possible behaviours of a trainee who needs some supervision to perform this activity

The trainee may:

• factor transport issues and costs to patients into arrangements for transferring patients to other settings