The RACGP check program has been running for over 30 years and is the most successful self education program in the history of Australian general practice.

check (continuous home evaluation of clinical knowledge) is a monthly self education program and continuing professional development (QA&CPD) activity which runs from February to December of each year.

Exceptional learning advantage for GPs at a time of their own choosing

Each issue focuses on a particular disease state and provides a range of case studies written by expert clinicians and tailored for GPs. The layout includes a brief clinical scenario and a series of questions for each case study. Answers are provided on the following page to allow participants to verify their answers. This process is designed to bring out in-depth knowledge rather than the ability to rapidly scan articles for obvious answers. check tests the important issues for a general practitioner to consider in regard to clinical history, examination, investigation and/or management of a problem. 

All issues are kept for reference, as the December test issue presents a further 100 questions and a pass mark of 85% will provide 30 group 1 CPD points - a generous benefit and great attraction for GPs to obtain points any time during the triennium.

Some 800 GPs submit their answers to the test issue each year.

Circulation & distribution
16,500 copies of check are published each month with 14,500 copies distributed with AFP to all financial RACGP members (including GP registrar members).  Remaining copies are mailed to non-member subscribers (subscription fee: $253 a year).

Feedback from participants
The check program is highly respected and enthusiastically followed with 95% of participants indicating that their clinical knowledge had improved and highly recommend the program to their colleagues or registrars.

95% of participants rate check from good to excellent and indicate strong satisfaction and GPs spend 1 to 3 hours to complete a unit in their own time !

Topics have been nominated as being extremely relevant with 68% of GPs spending 1 to 3 hours and 23% spending more than 3 hours to complete.