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IOCA FAQs
The following FAQs are to help with arranging an IOCA.
For more information on how the IOCA contributes to the CCPR, go to CCPR FAQs.
IOCA requirements
1. Which trainees / partially comparable SIMGs need to complete a Stage 3 IOCA?
If a trainee / partially comparable SIMG intends on applying for the CCPR in September 2026 onwards, they will need to complete a Stage 3 IOCA to be eligible to apply.
2. Can a trainee / partially comparable SIMG do more than one IOCA in a rotation?
There is no maximum IOCA attempts in a rotation. However, because of the logistical effort that is required to conduct an IOCA, it is unlikely that health services and supervisors will be able to facilitate more than one IOCA for a trainee in a rotation. In this instance, we suggest that principal supervisors encourage trainees to complete an OCA if they would like.
Patient selection, consent and feedback
3. Who is responsible for identifying a suitable patient for an IOCA?
In most cases the principal supervisor (or their delegate) is responsible for identifying and arranging a suitable patient for the scheduled IOCA. The patient should not be well known to the trainee to allow for an initial clinical assessment, consistent with existing OCA practices. You (or a delegate) will also need to communicate with the patient about the assessment and obtain their written consent in advance. The trainee should not be informed of the patient’s identity beforehand.
4. Is patient consent required before participating in an IOCA?
Yes, written patient consent is required before participating in the IOCA. The principal supervisor (or their delegate) must ensure the patient reads the ‘Information to Patients’ document and signs the consent form prior to conducting the assessment
- IOCA Patient Consent Form [PDF; 121 KB]
The signed consent form will be kept by the health services and must be available to the College upon request.
5. Whose responsibility is it to ask the patient for feedback, and how is the feedback collected?
The independent assessor is responsible for collecting feedback from the patient, the principal supervisor is not involved. The feedback can be collected from the patient during the ‘thinking time’ of the trainee. This step is only if it is possible, and the patient is willing to provide feedback. There is a dedicated section in the IOCA form to record this patient feedback.
6. Can a trainee, who is completing an Advanced Certificate, see a patient under 18 for the purposes of the IOCA?
The College assessments, including the IOCA, are designed to reflect the standard expected of generalist psychiatrists. However, existing processes used for OCAs in sub-specialty areas can also be applied to IOCAs. Where applicable, the consent process will include obtaining consent from families or carers.
Sourcing an independent assessor
7. How to find an independent assessor in a jurisdiction where trainees know all the supervisors?
If the principal supervisor can't find an independent assessor who meets the eligibility criteria, they will be able to request an assessor on the IOCA InTrain form.
All eligible independent assessors can see requests for an independent assessor on InTrain.
College staff will actively monitor independent assessor requests submitted by principal supervisors to ensure all requests are met.
Independent assessors will be compensated by the College for any travel expenses to conduct an IOCA in a different jurisdiction, otherwise the IOCA can be conducted online over Microsoft Teams/Zoom.
8. Why do accredited RANZCP supervisors need to attend an IOCA supervisor training workshop?
By participating in this training, you will become an accredited IOCA assessor. The training covers how to conduct an IOCA, the standard expected in OCAs and IOCAs, and the updated 5-point rating scale and scoring guide (which will be implemented for all OCAs and IOCAs from August 2025 onwards).
9. How can a supervisor be trained to be an IOCA independent assessor?
To become an accredited IOCA independent assessor, the College is hosting supervisor training workshops. This training aims to establish a shared understanding of the expected standards and ensure reliability in the evaluation process.
To find a local workshop in your jurisdiction, contact the relevant DOT or contact the College on clinicals@ranzcp.org
10. Can IOCA independent assessors claim CPD hours for this activity?
Yes, an IOCA independent assessor is able to claim up to 2.5 hours under Section 4.3 Teaching for assessing an IOCA. This can be done on MyCPD.
Organising the IOCA
11. How will principal supervisors find out if a trainee / partially comparable SIMG wants to sit an IOCA?
Trainees / partially comparable SIMG are to inform their principal supervisor at the start of a new rotation if they intend on sitting an IOCA during that rotation. They can then initiate the IOCA form on InTrain to begin this process.
12. Who is responsible for finding a suitable time and location to conduct the IOCA between the patient, trainee, and the IOCA assessor?
Principal supervisors (or their delegate) act as the key point of contact between the independent assessor, patient, and trainee or partially comparable SIMG, to organise the assessment.
On the day of the IOCA
13. Does the principal supervisor need to be present the day of the IOCA?
The principal supervisor does not need to be present the day of the IOCA. However, they (or their delegate) need to ensure that patient consent has been obtained prior to the IOCA starting.
14. What if the patient walks out during the IOCA?
If the patient walks out within the first 20 minutes of the clinical interview, the IOCA will need to be rescheduled. If the patient walks out after this point, the trainee / partially comparable SIMG will be assessed with what has been conducted.
IOCA results and feedback
15. Does a trainee / partially comparable SIMG need to pass an IOCA?
The IOCA is a formative workplace-based assessment therefore there are no pass/fail decisions. The purpose of the IOCA is to provide a trainee with feedback on their performance.
16. How can principal supervisors support trainees who aren't happy with their performance in their IOCA?
We would advise principal supervisors to review the feedback from the IOCA independent assessor along with the trainee. It would be encouraged to develop a plan to address gaps in their performance in other WBAs, highlighting that the IOCA is not a pass / fail assessment. Trainees are able to submit an incident report if they experience process-related issues during the IOCA that could impact their performance or the outcome of their assessment.
17. If a trainee / partially comparable SIMG conducts more than one IOCA in a rotation, will both be included in their Portfolio Review?
All IOCAs will be included in their Portfolio Review. If a trainee conducts a second IOCA, it does not supersede the first one, however is reviewed in conjunction with it.
The Portfolio Review includes multiples data points over time. All WBAs conducted within the time frame are considered. Please refer to CCPR eligibility criteria for the exact WBAs included.
