Tips for Supervisors with New Registrars: Building Connection, Confidence, and Competence
Welcoming a new registrar into your practice is both rewarding and challenging. Here are three distinct approaches to setting the new learner up for success, as shared by experienced supervisors and co-Chairs of the national SLO Advisory Council, Drs Sue Harrison, Candice Baker, and Tim Chappell.
Dr Sue Harrison OAM - Build Foundations with Understanding
For Sue, getting to know the registrar is paramount. She advises:
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Understand Their Journey: Explore their professional background and personal circumstances. This helps you tailor support, especially if they have varied GP experience or specific clinical strengths and gaps.
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Set Clear Expectations: Outline what constitutes a comprehensive consult, including accurate records, preventive care, and procedural standards.
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Address Practicalities: From accommodation to cultural or dietary needs, small gestures—like gluten-free cookies—foster a welcoming environment.
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Support Future Plans: If they have special skills or aspirations, find ways to nurture these interests.
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Focus on Fundamentals: Early weeks should include an introduction to Medicare, PBS, and practice operations, ensuring registrars feel equipped in the “business” of general practice.
Dr Candice Baker - Be Prepared and Proactive
Candice emphasizes planning and structure to create a smooth onboarding experience:
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Prepare in Advance: Block time for orientation and ensure the team is ready to welcome the registrar.
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Use an Orientation Checklist: A systematic approach ensures all key points are covered, from practice operations to policies.
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Set Communication Standards: Define when and how registrars should seek help. Tools like the RACGP “Call for Help List” are invaluable.
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Foster Team Inclusion: A simple coffee catch-up can make a registrar feel like part of the team and ease their transition.
Dr Tim Chappell - Invest Time and Embrace Fun
Tim highlights the emotional and time investment required to mentor effectively:
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Acknowledge the Time Commitment: Supervising a registrar demands adjustments to your schedule, including blocked teaching times and space for spontaneous debriefs.
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Focus on Practical Gaps: Be alert to hidden knowledge deficits, such as software navigation or reading ECGs, and address them without judgment.
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Make General Practice Enjoyable: Show registrars that family medicine, while serious, can also be joyful. Incorporate team lunches, coffee-fueled teaching sessions, and moments to celebrate the privilege of patient care.
The Takeaway
Successful supervision blends preparation, understanding, and a touch of humanity. Whether it’s tailoring support to a registrar’s journey, fostering a sense of belonging, or rediscovering the joy in medicine together, these approaches remind us that investing in new doctors enriches not just their experience, but the entire practice.
Key Resources
RACGP
ACRRM
GPSA