Advanced Diploma of RANZCOG
The Advanced Diploma of RANZCOG equips you with the knowledge and skills to safely undertake complex deliveries and advanced gynaecological procedures, and to perform basic early and late pregnancy ultrasound scanning.
Introduction
The Advanced Diploma of RANZCOG builds on the skills developed through the basic Diploma. It involves a minimum of 12 months hospital-based training (or a combination of hospital-based and practice-based training), under the supervision of two training supervisors.
Following successful completion of the Advanced Diploma, you will be qualified to manage caesarean and instrumental deliveries, conduct first trimester transvaginal/transabdominal and third trimester scans, repair perineal tears, and perform a range of advanced procedures, including pelvic laparotomy and hysteroscopy.
Please note Diploma and Advanced Diploma programs offered by RANZCOG are vocational training for graduate medical practitioners and are not higher education awards in accordance with the Australian Qualifications Framework.
Course content
Please refer to the documents below for more information on the Diploma of RANZCOG training program processes and curriculum.
Training and assessments
To receive the Advanced Diploma of RANZCOG, you must satisfactorily complete all requirements outlined below within:
two years, if undertaking the Advanced Diploma only
four years, if undertaking the Advanced Diploma in combination with the basic Diploma
six years, if you commenced combined training prior to 1 April 2016
Overview
EXPERIENCE
Procedures and scans | Personally perform a minimum number of procedures and ultrasound scans |
ASSESSMENTS
Logbook | Record of training experience, workplace-based assessments, workshop participation and monthly logbook checks by the training mentor |
Workplace-based assessments | Seven paper-based assessments of clinical and procedural skills |
Case syntheses | Five de-identified written case syntheses on a range of obstetric conditions |
Workshop | Basic Obstetric Skills |
Training programs | Obstetric Anal Sphincter InjurieS (OASIS) Medical termination of pregnancy (mTOP) |
Summative assessment | Final written supervisor assessment (with optional formative appraisal feedback prior to this assessment) |
Oral examination | Eight stations, each involving: – 2 minutes for reading – 12 minutes for examination – 20 marks |
If you’re undertaking the Advanced Diploma concurrently, you must also complete all training and assessment requirements for the Certificate of Women’s Health and/or Diploma of RANZCOG — please follow the links below for more information.
Assessments
Logbook
Requirement: Submission of logbook, signed off by your training supervisors (monthly), and the Chair of the Conjoint Committee for the Diploma of Obstetrics and Gynaecology (final approval).
The logbook is a daily record of your procedural and other training experiences. It’s used to monitor your experience and ensure that it’s appropriate for your level of training, by the following:
Training supervisor
the College
Detailed instructions on how to document and submit your training assessments can be found in the logbook, which is also available to download:
Workplace-based assessments
Requirement: Seven assessments, documented using the corresponding forms and within your logbook.
A workplace-based assessment is a paper-based evaluation of your clinical skills during a normal working day. During a patient encounter or procedure, a suitable assessor will utilise the relevant form to assess your performance against the standards described for each criterion.
A suitable assessor is one who has worked with you and can make a balanced and informed judgement of your performance. In addition to your training supervisors, this could be another ‘teacher’ who has guided and supported your knowledge and skill development.
For example, other consultants or registrars who are RANZCOG members, and have been approved by your training supervisors to act as assessors.
Detailed instructions on how to conduct each assessment can be found on the corresponding forms. It’s imperative that trainees and supervisors familiarise themselves with the instructions, assessment criteria and clinical descriptors of ratings before undertaking a workplace-based assessment.
Further details of the workplace-based assessments can be found in the Advanced Diploma of RANZCOG Curriculum.
Please follow the links below for more information:
Case syntheses
Requirement: Five de-identified written case syntheses on a range of obstetric conditions, each assessed by both training supervisors.
Cases must be:
particularly unusual and/or problematic
based on patients under your care
relevant and valuable to your current and/or intended practice
researched to ensure that the final synthesis is representative of evidence-based best practice
Please follow the links below for more information:
Please ensure that your supervisors complete separate forms, and that you submit both assessments for each case.
If a case synthesis is assessed as unsatisfactory, you must repeat it until you achieve the minimal acceptable passing standard for all criteria.
Basic Obstetrics Skills Workshop
Requirement:* Record of attendance, documented within your logbook and using the form located at the back of the Basic Obstetric Skills Workshop Manual (available on Acquire).
*For trainees commencing from 1 January 2018.
The workshop is generally conducted at your accredited training site as a full-day workshop, two half-days, or over several weekly or fortnightly sessions.
Please follow the link below for more information on workshop skills/topics and enrolment.
Obstetric Anal Sphincter InjurieS (OASIS) course
Requirement:* Record of attendance, documented within your logbook.
*For trainees commencing from 1st January 2022.
Online mTOP training course
Requirement:* Record of attendance, documented within your logbook.
*For trainees commencing from 1st January 2022.
Fetal surveillance education program
Requirement:* Proof of attendance, and a corresponding record within your logbook (or an exemption if you’ve completed an approved program within the 12 months prior to commencing the Advanced Diploma).
*For trainees commencing before 1 January 2022.
Please follow the link below for more information on the RANZCOG fetal surveillance training program:
Formative appraisals (optional)
A formative appraisal is a feedback tool that provides you with constructive insights into your progress and performance.
You’re strongly encouraged to complete a formative appraisal with your training supervisors in the last 3–6 months of your training to identify strengths and areas for further development and improvement.
The timing of the appraisal should enable you to plan the remainder of your training time and use the feedback to guide and facilitate your preparation for the final summative assessment (see below).
Please follow the links below for more information:
Summative assessments
Requirement:* Final written assessment, signed off by your supervisors using the designated form and within your logbook.
*For trainees commencing from 1 January 2017.
A summative assessment is completed by your training supervisors to assess your performance against standard domains and criteria to verify your ability to practice obstetrics independently.
The assessment should be undertaken during your last months of Advanced Diploma training.
Please follow the links below for more information:
Oral examination
Requirement: Eight stations, with 2 minutes for reading, 12 minutes for examination and 20 marks at each station.
Please follow the link below for information and resources relating to examination applications, preparation and results, including key dates and contacts.
Trainee feedback questionnaire
This is a confidential, compulsory questionnaire that you submit to the College at the completion of your Advanced Diploma of RANZCOG training — it’s not for assessment purposes.
The questionnaire assesses the training hospitals, rather than individuals within hospitals, so that future training can be modified and improved. The questionnaire asks you to rate and comment on various aspects of your training, including the standard of supervision and clinical experience.
Questionnaire responses are collated by the Training, Accreditation and Recertification (TAR) Subcommittee of the Conjoint Committee for the Diploma of Obstetrics and Gynaecology (CCDOG).
You may submit the questionnaire anonymously if you prefer.
Please follow the link below to download the form:
Learning development plan
A learning development plan is used if the formative and/or summative assessments identify significant concerns about your performance and progress.
The plan is developed in consultation with your training supervisors to allow for regular review and assessment of your progress.
Please follow the link below for more information:
Modules
The four online modules provide access to a range of dynamic resources and learning tasks. Each module is mapped to the curriculum, with clearly stated learning outcomes.
Trainees can access and complete the modules in any order, and at their own pace, via the RANZCOG e-learning system, Acquire.
The subject areas for each module are as follows:
DRAV1: Advanced obstetrics
Caesarean delivery
Vacuum and forceps delivery
Repair of perineal tears
DRAV2: Advanced gynaecology
Basic pelvic laparotomy
Hysteroscopy
Miscarriage
Termination
DRAV3: Ultrasound
Basic pelvic laparotomy
Hysteroscopy
Miscarriage
Termination
DRAV4: Postnatal and neonatal care*
*For trainees commencing from 1 January 2022.
Examination of a neonate
Management of a sick neonate
Grief counselling
Fees
Please note that the training and examination fees are payable in Australian dollars (AUD), and are not subject to Australian GST.
The College will send you instructions for payment via email.
Certification
To be eligible to enrol on the Advanced Diploma of RANZCOG register, you must:
Satisfactorily complete all training and assessment requirements (including all basic Diploma of RANZCOG requirements).
Submit your completed application to Certificate and Diploma Services (dts@ranzcog.edu.au), including payment details for the certification fee.
Procedural skills grants
The General Practitioner Procedural Training Support Program (GPPTSP) aims to help overcome workforce shortages and increase the availability of obstetrics and anaesthetic services in rural and remote areas.
The GPPTSP is funded by the Australian Government Department of Health and provides up to $40,000 to eligible GPs in rural and remote areas to gain either the Advanced Diploma of RANZCOG, or a statement of satisfactory completion of Advanced Rural Skills Training in Anaesthesia.
The obstetrics component of the program is managed by RANZCOG and the anaesthetics component is managed by the Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine (ACRRM).
Support
Member wellbeing
A range of member wellbeing services are available to trainees experiencing professional or personal difficulty during training. The College encourages you to access these supports in times of stress, anxiety or poor health.
For more information, please click to expand the sections below, or follow the link to our Member Wellbeing page.
Training committees
Please explore the links below to learn more about the committees with oversight and responsibility relating to the Certificate of Women’s Health.
Policies and procedures
The below policies are relevant to the Advanced Diploma of RANZCOG and may be of interest.
Contact us
For more information, please contact Certificate and Diploma Services at: dts@ranzcog.edu.au.
Other useful contacts include:
Assessment services: assessment@ranzcog.edu.au
eLearning: elearning@ranzcog.edu.au