Internal medicine
Internal medicine involves the diagnosis and management of patients with complex medical problems which may include internal medicine, cardiology, clinical immunology, clinical pharmacology, endocrinology, gastroenterology, geriatric medicine, haematology, infectious diseases, medical oncology, nephrology, neurology, nuclear medicine, palliative medicine, respiratory medicine and rheumatology.
Vocational training in internal medicine is undertaken through the Royal Australasian College of Physicians (RACP). Once RACP training is completed the doctor is awarded the Fellowship of the RACP (FRACP).
Am I able to apply to work as a recognised specialist in New Zealand?
To apply for vocational registration in internal medicine, you would need to hold:
- the FRACP qualification; or
- an international postgraduate medical qualification in internal medicine, where your combination of qualifications, training and experience will be assessed against the standard of the FRACP.
What standard will I be compared against?
To obtain the FRACP, the trainee completes 6 years of training:
- 3 years of basic internal physician training:
- a minimum of 36 months of clinical and educational experience which commences 12 months after graduation
- 24 of the 36 months must be in internal medicine
- a broad knowledge of the principles and practice of internal medicine and clinical competenc
- an attempt at the FRACP examination in the third year (or later)
- 3 years of advanced internal physician training:
- advanced training must be in either comprehensive medical care or one or more internal medicine subspecialties
- FRACP awarded on satisfactory completion of examination and training requirements
- participation required in the RACP continuing professional development programme (MyCPD)
I want to make a vocational registration application
If you wish to make a vocational registration application, please refer to the Vocational Registration Homepage [link] and select the Option appropriate for you.
Am I able to apply for other types of registration?
You may be able to apply for more than one type of registration. To find out which is the best fit for you, please use our self assessment tool