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COVID-19: FRANZCOG Training 
 

 

Latest updates
17 August 2020
Additional extension to deadlines due to COVID-19

In March 2020,  the College advised trainees that  mechanisms and arrangements will be in place to ensure the impact of COVID-19 on training and requirements would be minimised wherever possible. It was acknowledged that an area of training impacted by COVID-19 included the capacity to meet deadlines for assessment requirements. As such, the Board approved an extension of six months (26 weeks) to all deadlines for requirements which fall between 23 March and 23 September 2020.

With ongoing restrictions to face-to-face workshops, changes to rotations, access to surgery, and other components of training the RANZCOG Board has approved a further extension of six months (26 weeks) to all deadlines for requirements which fall between 23 September 2020 and 23 March 2021.

This additional extension will be automatically applied to deadlines reflected on the FRANZCOG Requirements Summary page on My.RANZCOG
  • Assessments of Procedural Surgical Skills (APSSs)
  • Mandatory workshops
  • In-Hospital Clinical Assessments (IHCAs)
  • Cultural competency education
  • Mandatory online modules
  • The research project/study

For further information or queries please contact [email protected]
As at 17/08/2020
13 May 2020
Your FRANZCOG Training during COVID-19 (email)

An email has been circulated to all FRANZCOG Trainees, Training Supervisors, and ITP Coordinators summarising arrangements in place to ensure disadvantage to trainees is minimised where possible in the current extraordinary circumstances created by COVID-19. View/ download a copy of the email.
As at 13 May 2020
15 April 2020
3- & 6-Monthly appraisals & assessments

During this unprecedented time of instability and uncertainty it is a priority of RANZCOG to ensure that trainees, supervisors, and training sites are supported to ensure they can deliver the highest quality of care to the women, babies, and families of Australia and New Zealand.

Trainees have been reassured that a six-month extension has been granted to training requirements including:
  • Examinations
  • Assessment of Procedural Surgical Skills (APSSs)
  • mandatory workshops
  • In-Hospital Clinical Assessments (IHCAs)
  • cultural competency requirement
  • mandatory online modules
  • research project/study 

To ensure that trainee performance is monitored and ongoing learning supported, arrangements have been put in place to provide relief from stresses and workload related to completion of appraisals and assessments, while still maintaining trainee records and application of credited training time where appropriate.
 

Three-Monthly Formative Appraisals


The College encourages trainees and supervisors to complete the Three-Monthly Formative Appraisal as normal wherever possible.

Exemptions will be available upon request, where there is documented support by the training supervisor and subsequent approval by the relevant State/Territory/NZ TAC chair. Endorsement by the Training Supervisor is intended to ensure that any trainee with specific needs prior to the Six-Monthly Summative Assessment is provided with guidance at the time the exemption is granted.
 

Six-Monthly Summative Assessments


The College encourages trainees and supervisors to complete the Six-Monthly Summative Assessment as normal wherever possible.

For training to be credited there will still be a requirement for trainees to complete a Six-Monthly Summative Assessment for each period of prospectively approved training in the 2020 training year i.e. one Six-Monthly Summative Assessment per semester of training (or minimum of ten week period where extended leave may have been taken).
Deferral of submission will be available on request up to a maximum of six months, where there is documented support by the training supervisor and subsequent approval by the relevant State/Territory/NZ TAC or subspecialty chair.

It is strongly recommended that trainees complete the Six-Monthly Summative Assessment according to normal deadlines and deferral only occurs in situations of extreme service pressures or disruptions.

A Six-Monthly Summative Assessment can be completed with no Three-Monthly Formative Appraisal during these exceptional circumstances (if the exemption process has been adhered to).
Credit of training can only be applied at the time of an approved satisfactory Six-Monthly Summative Assessment.

Download information sheet
 
30 March 2020
What does the Board-approved extension to requirements cover?

Deadlines for requirements such as the following are being extended:
  • Assessment of Procedural Surgical Skills (APSSs)
  • mandatory workshops
  • In-Hospital Clinical Assessments (IHCAs)
  • cultural competency education
  • mandatory online modules
  • the research project/study
As at 30/03/2020

 

Frequently Asked Questions  
General ​ Updated 17 August 2020
Training content and rotations Updated 12 May 2020
Three-Monthly Formative Appraisals  Updated 15 April 2020
Six-Monthly Summative Assessments Updated 15 April 2020
Research Project/Study Updated 29 April 2020
​Elevation to Fellowship Updated 15 April 2020

 

General 


What does the Board-approved six-month extension to requirements cover?

As approved in March 2020, a six-month extension for deadlines to requirements which fall between 23 March and 23 September 2020 was applied.

In August 2020 the Board approved a further six-month extension to all deadlines that fall between 23 September 2020 and 23 March 2021.

This applies to:
  • Assessment of Procedural Surgical Skills (APSSs)
  • mandatory workshops
  • In-Hospital Clinical Assessments (IHCAs)
  • cultural competency education
  • mandatory online modules
  • the research project/study
As at 17/08/2020

Which due dates will be extended by six-months?

As approved in March 2020, a six-month extension for deadlines to requirements which fall between 23 March and 23 September 2020 was applied.

In August 2020 the Board approved a further six-month extension to all deadlines that fall between 23 September 2020 and 23 March 2021.
As at 17/08/2020

I have received automated reminders from My.RANZCOG – what should I do?

If you are in a position to meet any requirements, then we encourage you to do so. If not, an extension/exemption/deferral is applicable but My.RANZCOG has not yet been updated and we plan to do this asap. Please disregard any email reminders for now.
As at 29/04/2020

If I already had outstanding or overdue training requirement(s), will a six-month extension apply?

Extensions will only be applied for requirement deadlines which fall between 23 March and 23 September 2020. If the deadline fell prior to this period then the extension will not apply.
As at 29/04/2020

Training content and rotations


Will my current training period be credited?

All trainees in prospectively approved training positions are considered to be training and, subject to satisfactory assessment and the usual conditions, will be able to be credited for this period as appropriate.
As at 15/04/2020

Do I still need to do a Prospective Approval (PA) of training form?

Prospective Approval of all training remains required in accordance with published deadlines.

Changed rotations - For trainees who have submitted and had approved a PA for semester two, 2020 and that rotation has since changed, a new PA will be required.

 

Previously approved PAs – These remain unchanged. Continue as normal.

 

No PA for semester two yet – Please process for approval through My.RANZCOG as per published deadlines.
As at 15/04/2020

The content of my training this semester has been altered due to the current environment. What should I do?

RANZCOG acknowledges that the content of training may be altered by the current training environment. For example, many sites may see a reduction in elective surgical training; however, there is an expectation that training in emergency gynaecology and obstetrics will continue.
As at 15/04/2020

Rotating between sites


What happens to my scheduled rotation between training site(s)?

Unless exceptional circumstances apply it is expected that trainees will rotate as planned.

Where rotations have been modified by an employer and/or health authority please contact [email protected]   
As at 15/04/2020

 

I am rotating to a new site next semester and there is a mandatory quarantine period in place. Will this impact my training?

RANZCOG acknowledges that due to the current COVID-19 climate some training sites have implemented mandatory quarantine periods for trainees rotating between sites (especially when moving interstate). In most cases the quarantine period is two weeks. The College is conscious that for Basic Trainees this may impact the ability to meet minimum mandatory requirements e.g. 23 weeks of rural training. 

Trainees are reassured that the College has put in place arrangements to minimise any disadvantage of changed training conditions as a result of COVID-19. Penalties will not be applied where mandatory requirements have been impacted this period of quarantine. Individual trainee circumstances will be addressed by the relevant State/Territory/New Zealand Training Accreditation Committee (TAC). 

Trainees are reminded that RANZCOG cannot influence employment matters. Contracts and employment are a matter between the trainee and training site. 

Please direct queries to the relevant State/Territory/New Zealand office.
As at 12 May 2020

The NZ District Health Boards have suspended training rotations. Will this impact my training?

The NZ District Health Boards have announced that due to the current COVID-19 climate the decision has been made to suspend training rotations for a period of four weeks. RANZCOG acknowledges that for Basic Trainees this may impact the ability to meet minimum mandatory requirements e.g. 23 weeks of rural training. 

Trainees are reassured that the College has put in place arrangements to minimise any disadvantage of changed training conditions as a result of COVID-19. Penalties will not be applied where mandatory requirements have been impacted this four-week suspension. Individual trainee circumstances will be addressed by the NZ Training Accreditation Committee (TAC) Chair, Dr Sarah Tout, via the NZ RANZCOG office.

Trainees are reminded that RANZCOG cannot influence employment matters. Contracts and employment are a matter between the trainee and training site. 

Please direct queries to [email protected] 
As at 21 April 2020

Advanced Training
 
What happens if I’m due to progress into Advanced Training in the coming year?

Where all requirements have been met, progress will occur as normal.

Where a trainee has satisfactorily completed the training time requirement (e.g. 184 weeks satisfactorily approved Basic Training) but other training requirements for which they have a six-month extension remain outstanding, the trainee will be permitted to progress to Advanced Training.

If the requirement is met prior to the revised deadline, Advanced Training will proceed as normal. If the requirement is not met by the revised deadline, further credit for Advanced training will cease until that requirement is met.
As at 15/04/2020

 

I am applying for Advanced Training positions, what can RANZCOG provide regarding my training and/or examination status?

The College acknowledges that examination deferrals may impact eligibility for Advanced Training job applications in 2021. Trainees are encouraged to access their Progress / Requirement Summary, Time Summary, and Logbook Summary to download evidence of completed training and requirements in support of job applications, if required.

Trainees who have registered or expressed interest for an examination will be contacted directly by the Examinations and Assessment Team with documentation confirming the examinations that had been registered for or which they have expressed interest in. This documentation can also be used if required in support of job applications.
As at 12 May 2020

 

Three-Monthly Formative Appraisals

 

Do I have to do a Three-Monthly Formative Appraisal this semester?

The College encourages trainees and supervisors to complete the Three-Monthly Formative Appraisal as normal wherever possible.
As at 15/04/2020

How do I progress my Three-Monthly Formative Appraisal this semester?

The College encourages trainees and supervisors to complete the Three-Monthly Formative Appraisal as normal via the My.RANZCOG workflow between trainee, supervisor, and State/Territory/NZ TAC chair.

Download information sheet
As at 15/04/2020

What if I can’t complete my Three-Monthly Formative Appraisal?

Exemptions will be available upon request, where there is documented support by the training supervisor and subsequent approval by the relevant State/Territory/NZ TAC chair.
To be considered for an exemption, please email the request to relevant office for approval by the State/Territory/NZ TAC chair.

An email request may come from:
  • the training supervisor or another approved training supervisor at the training site; or,
  • the trainee (must include attached support from a training supervisor).

Download information sheet
As at 15/04/2020

 

Six-Monthly Summative Assessments


Do I have to do a Six-Monthly Summative Assessment this semester?

The College encourages trainees and supervisors to complete the Six-Monthly Summative Assessment as normal wherever possible.
It is strongly recommended that trainees complete the Six-Monthly Summative Assessment according to advertised deadlines and deferral only considered in situations of extreme service pressures or disruptions.

A Six-Monthly Summative Assessment can be completed with no Three-Monthly Formative Appraisal during these exceptional circumstances (if the exemption process has been adhered to).

Credit of training can only be applied at the time of an approved satisfactory Six-Monthly Summative Assessment.
As at 15/04/2020

How do I progress my Six-Monthly Summative Assessment this semester?

Trainees and supervisors can complete the Six-Monthly Summative as normal via the My.RANZCOG workflow between trainee, supervisor, and State/Territory/NZ TAC.

Download information sheet
As at 15/04/2020

What if I can’t complete my Six-Monthly Summative Assessment by the deadline?

It is strongly recommended that trainees complete the Six-Monthly Summative Assessment according to advertised deadlines and deferral only occurs in situations of extreme service pressures or disruptions.

Deferral of submission will be available on request up to a maximum of six months, where there is documented support by the training supervisor and subsquent approval by the relevant State/Territory/NZ TAC Chair.

To be considered for a deferral, please email the request to relevant office  for approval by the State/Territory/NZ TAC chair.
An email request may come from:
  • the training supervisor or another approved training supervisor at the site; or,
  • the trainee (must include attached support from a training supervisor).

Download information sheet
As at 15/04/2020

 

Research Project/Study


My research project has been submitted to the College but I am still awaiting assessment. Will the six-month extension apply?

Yes. Extensions will apply to all unmet due dates that fall between 23 March and 23 September 2020.

Please note that due to the current climate assessor availability to review and sign-off research projects may be impacted. The College is working hard to ensure that whilst there may be delays, projects are being progressed and addressed as soon as possible.
 
Penalties will not be applied for those impacted by delays on these grounds.
As at 29 April 2020

 

Elevation to Fellowship 


What is happening with appications for elevation to Fellowship?

Applications for Fellowship that have been approved by, or already sent to, the Board are being progressed as normal.

Applications for future meetings of the Board continue to be accepted. Please contact [email protected] for further information.
As at 15/04/2020


 

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