Fellowship of RANZCOG training and assessments
Learn more about the Fellowship of RANZCOG training and assessments, including completion requirements and links to relevant forms and resources.
Course content
The Curriculum and Handbook documents below provide more information on the FRANZCOG training program administration and curriculum.
Please note that the FRANZCOG Curriculum (4th edition) has been released for Year 1 trainees commencing in 2024.
To learn more about the new FRANZCOG curriculum, please watch our pre-recorded webinar:
Curricula
If you have any enquiries or feedback related to the Fellowship of RANZCOG curriculum v4, please contact our dedicated Curriculum Team via curriculum@ranzcog.edu.au.
Handbooks
Formative appraisals
Please click to expand the sections below for information and resources on your formative appraisal requirements.
Three-monthly formative appraisal (3MA)
The three-monthly formative appraisal is a compulsory assessment of your knowledge, skills and attributes. You must complete a self-assessment of your strengths and challenges before meeting with your training supervisor to discuss your performance during the relevant training period.
To initiate a formative appraisal, please complete the relevant form and submit it to your training supervisor via My.RANZCOG.
Trainee resources
Supervisor resources
Demonstration video
Mini-Clinical Evaluation Exercise (Mini-CEX)
The Mini-CEX is a short observation of an aspect of your clinical practice by a consultant or advanced trainee, with performance ratings in seven categories, followed by interactive, meaningful and actionable feedback. Each Mini-CEX should take under 20 minutes (including approximately five minutes of feedback).
The observations may take place in various settings, including clinics, in-patients, emergency departments, labour and delivery rooms, or operating theatres, and variety is preferred. The focus of each interaction may be history-taking, physical examination, diagnosis, and management or counselling.
Current trainee requirements
Training period | Requirement |
---|---|
Year 1 trainees | Three per 26 weeks (FTE) of BTIT, to a total of 12 by the end of 104 weeks BTIT. |
Year 2 trainees* | Three per 26 weeks (FTE) of BTIT, to a total of 6 by the end of 104 weeks BTIT. |
*If trainees currently in Year 2 completed Mini CEX assessment/s last year in their Semester 2 of Year 1 (during the pilot phase), those assessments do not count towards the total of 6 by the end of 104 weeks BTIT.
Specific requirements
Additional specific requirements are as follows:
Four different observers are expected to be involved over the 12 Mini-CEX assessments
More information on requirements in specific settings and categories can be found in the Instruction Manual for Trainees — see Resources section below.
Resources
Demonstration video
Feedback following a Mini-CEX
Summative assessments
The six-monthly-summative assessment is vital for providing you with structured feedback, and as an assessment tool for training supervisors. As with the formative appraisal, you must complete a self-assessment and then meet with your training supervisor to discuss performance.
Prior to this meeting, your training supervisor will collect additional feedback from consultants who you have worked with during the relevant training period.
To initiate a summative assessment, please complete the relevant form and submit it to your training supervisor via My.RANZCOG.
Online logbook
The College will provide you with an online logbook to maintain a mandatory record of your procedures, clinics and scans.
Features of the online logbook include:
predictive search for procedures
default hospital settings
automatic classification and tallying of entries
supervisor review as part of the six-monthly assessment process
Please click the buttons below to:
Procedure definitions
Primary operator
To record a logbook entry as primary operator, you must perform at least 50 per cent of the procedure.
Please note that:
you are not required to open and close
you are not required to be the primary operator for the entire procedure
there may be more than one primary operator on a case with multiple procedures
some health services may define primary operator in a different way — if this is the case, you must adhere to the RANZCOG definition for the purpose of logbook entries
For example, you may claim primary operator status if you perform a procedure on one side with your supervisor assisting, and then you assist your supervisor on the other side.
Direct supervisor
To record a logbook entry as direct supervisor, you must be the more senior trainee supervising another trainee to perform the procedure.
Please note that you must also be credentialed to perform that procedure or you must have previously completed the relevant Assessment of Procedural and Surgical Skills (APSS).
Assessment of Procedural and Surgical Skills (APSS)
The assessment of procedural and surgical skills (APSS) is an evaluation of your competence to perform obstetric and gynaecological surgical procedures.
Please follow the links below for more information on the the skills that will be assessed, including relevant deadlines.
APSS webinar
Gain deeper insights into the key changes and further insight into the APSS process via a recording of the webinar hosted by of Dean of Education Professor Ian Symonds.
Assessment process
Assessors
Assessments may be conducted by your training supervisor or an appropriate consultant (or by a FRANZCOG advanced trainee for assessments due at or before the end of Year 2).
Formative assessment
To maximise your exposure to consultant feedback, the College strongly encourages you to complete at least three formative assessments per skill before attempting a summative assessment.
Summative assessment
The College recommends that you attempt a summative assessment when you feel confident in being able to perform the skill with minimal input from your assessor.
Please note that you must use a separate form for each attempt.
Submission
Please submit your signed summative assessment forms via My.RANZCOG.
For detailed instructions, please refer to the following resources:
Satisfactory sign-off
When completing a summative assessment, you must achieve the following minimum ranking scores in all listed skills areas:
Vaginal surgery: intermediate (hysterectomy) — Basic Training
Score of 4 (some input required from assessor)
Vaginal surgery: Intermediate (hysterectomy) — Generalist Gynaecology ATM
Score of 7 (minimal input required from assessor)
All other assessments
Score of 7 (minimal input required from assessor)
Please do not submit a summative assessment form if you have not met these criteria.
For more information, please refer to the General Information document below.
Forms
Please ensure that you use the correct form for all APSS assessments.
Overview of APSS form changes
Dean of Education Professor Ian Symonds provides a brief overview of the key changes to the APSS form.
Ultrasound
For satisfactory completion of an ultrasound APSS, each submission via My.RANZCOG must include all relevant components and forms, as follows:
Ultrasound A — must be completed by 104 weeks
Part 1: First trimester transabdominal
Part 2: First trimester transvaginal
Part 2: Second/third trimester
Ultrasound B — must be completed by 208 weeks
Part 1: First trimester assessment of bleeding +/- pain
Part 2: Fetal growth and wellbeing assessment
Part 3: Acute third trimester presentation
Part 4: Third trimester twin pregnancy assessment
Ultrasounds in Advanced Obstetrics ATM — must be completed by the end of Advanced Obstetrics ATP
Colposcopy
In November 2020, the College approved the following changes:
termination of the colposcopy In-Hospital Clinical Assessment (IHCA)
implementation of the colposcopy APSS to replace the colposcopy IHCA — effective from 1st December 2020
Please click the links below for more information:
Workshops and courses
Trainees must complete the below workshops and courses as part of the FRANZCOG training program.
Basic obstetric skills workshop
If you commenced training on or after 1st December 2016, you must complete the basic obstetric skills workshop in Year 1 of Basic Training. The course is practical and involves a number of simulation skills stations.
Skills and topics include:
intrapartum vaginal examination
induction of labour
spontaneous vaginal birth (first and second stage of labour)
fetal scalp electrode
fetal blood sampling
pudendal block
performing and repairing an episiotomy
ventouse delivery in the occipito-anterior position
vaginal outlet forceps delivery in the occipito-anterior position
third stage of labour, including manual removal of the placenta
perineal examination and recognition of third and fourth degree tears
management of post-partum haemorrhage, including Bakri balloon
The format of the workshop will determined by your training unit. For example, it may be delivered by your training site/Integrated Training Program/region, either as a stand-alone workshop or in tandem with the Foundations of Surgery Workshop.
On completing the workshop, you must submit your signed Record of Attendance at Basic Obstetric Skills Workshop via My.RANZCOG. The Record of Attendance can be found in the back of your workshop manual, which is also available for download via Acquire.
Please note that you may be eligible for this requirement to be signed off if you have completed an approved equivalent workshop or course within the 24 months prior to commencing the FRANZCOG training program.
Cultural competency
If you commenced training on or after 1st December 2018, you must complete cultural competency training by the end of Year 2 of Basic Training.
On completing the training, you must submit a record of attendance via My.RANZCOG.
In Australia, this involves completing:
In Aotearoa New Zealand, this involves completing:
Communication skills
All trainees must complete communication skills training by the end of Year 2 of Basic Training.
If you commenced training on or after 1st December 2019, you must complete:
three RANZCOG communication eLearning modules via Acquire, as follows:
Or:
the new RANZCOG Communication Skills Workshop (CSW)
The modules and workshop both align to the curriculum and will introduce you to communication skills and concepts designed to help you during your training.
If you commenced training before 1st December 2019, you may have:
not completed the CSW (workshop) — in this case you must complete the three RANZCOG communication eLearning modules via Acquire, or the new RANZCOG Communication Skills Workshop (CSW)
previously completed the CSW (workshop) — in this case you do not have to complete the online modules via Acquire (although you may still do so if this is your preference)
You must lodge a completion certificate for the three modules, or an attendance certificate for the workshop via My.RANZCOG.
For more information on workshop dates, please contact: educationprograms@ranzcog.edu.au
Fetal surveillance program
All trainees must complete a fetal surveillance workshop or program by the end of Year 1 of Basic Training, with approved options as follows:
Program | Provider |
---|---|
FSEP: Fetal Surveillance Education Program (face-to-face program) | RANZCOG |
OFSEP: Online Fetal Surveillance Education Program (online certificate) | RANZCOG |
Electronic Fetal Monitoring (EFM) Master Tutor | IntelliLearn |
Perinatal Training Programme (PTP)* | K2 Medical Systems |
Perinatal Training Programme (PTP) Australia* | K2 Medical Systems |
Advanced Fetal Assessment | King Edward Memorial Hospital (WA Health) |
*Minimum modules to be completed include: Antenatal CTG: The non-stress test; Cord blood gas; Errors and limitations in fetal monitoring; Fetal physiology; Intrapartum cardiotocography; Intrapartum intermittent auscultati.
Please note that you may be eligible for this requirement to be signed off if you have completed an approved equivalent workshop or course within the 24 months prior to commencing the FRANZCOG training program.
Foundations of surgery workshop
All trainees must complete a RANZCOG course in basic surgical skills by the end of Year 1 of Basic Training.
The course is practical and interactive, and will cover:
principles of team surgery and theatre etiquette
handling instruments
knot tying
incision and closure
haemostasis
episiotomy
electrocautery
hysteroscopy
laparoscopy
The College will notify all Year 1 trainees of course dates and venues in Australia and New Zealand, and provide all relevant registration details and course resources.
Please note that you may be eligible for this requirement to be signed off if you have completed an approved equivalent workshop or course within the 24 months prior to commencing the FRANZCOG training program.
Trainees must obtain:
For more information on workshop dates, please contact:
Australia: educationprograms@ranzcog.edu.au
Aotearoa New Zealand: nztraining@ranzcog.edu.au
To receive credit for completing the workshop, please submit your theoretical and practical certificates via My.RANZCOG.
Neonatal resuscitation
All trainees must complete an appropriate neonatal resuscitation training course by the end of Year 1 of Basic Training.
The College expects that you will undertake this training as part of your in-hospital program, and by completing an appropriate course as required by your training hospital.
To satisfy the neonatal resuscitation requirement, you must:
Please note that you may be eligible for this requirement to be signed off if you have completed an approved equivalent workshop or course within the 24 months prior to commencing the FRANZCOG training program.
Ultrasound
If you commenced training on or after 1st December 2016, you must complete an approved internal or external ultrasound workshop or course by the end of Year 3 of Basic Training.
Please note that you may be eligible for this requirement to be signed off if you have completed an approved equivalent workshop or course within the 24 months prior to commencing the FRANZCOG training program.
Approved programs
A list of programs that currently meet the requirements of the Year 1/2 ultrasound syllabus is provided below.
Basic Obstetric Ultrasound Skills Location: Fetal Medicine Unit, Centenary Hospital for Women and Children, Canberra Hospital, Canberra, ACT 2605 Duration: 1 day (6.00 hours) Workshop fee: $500 (AUD) More information and registration: Website link and Registration link Email: m.short@asum.com.au Facilitators: Dr Roberto Orefice, FRANZCOG DDU CMFM, Ultrasound Training Coordinator, Canberra Hospital Ms Debra Paoletti, MAppSci (Sonography) Dr Meiri Robertson, MBChB, MedSc (genetics), MFM diploma Mr Payam Saberian, Grad Dip Medical Ultrasound |
Comprehensive Obstetric Ultrasound Course Location: Zedu Ultrasound Training Solutions, Melbourne, Victoria Duration: 4 days (26 hours) Workshop fee: $4,300 (AUD) Registration: Zedu Ultrasound Training Solutions website |
Core Obstetric Ultrasound for Registrars Location: Zedu Ultrasound Training Solutions, Melbourne, Victoria Duration: 2 days (17.5 hours) Workshop fee: $2,190 (AUD) Registration: Zedu Ultrasound Training Solutions website Facilitators: Dr Nicole Woodrow FRANZCOG DDU COGU MBioeth; Dr Suguna Ganesan FRANZCOG MMed DDU; Dr Alice Robinson FRANZCOG; Ms Suean Pascoe B. App.Sc (MRT) Grad Dip MedUS AMS Cert IV workplace training |
Basic Skills in Obstetric and Gynaecology Ultrasound Location: Kerry Packer Auditorium, RPA Hospital, Camperdown, New South Wales Duration: 1 day (9.00 hours) Workshop fee: $500 (AUD) More information and registration: Dr Ritu Mogra and Dr Jose Garcia Flores (course convenors/facilitators) Email: RPAUltrasound2023@gmail.com or ritumogra@hotmail.com Facilitators: Dr Ritu Mogra (COGU) and Dr Jose Garcia Flores (MBBS FRANZCOG DDU) |
Introduction to Obstetric Ultrasound Course – 2 days Location: Australian Institute of Ultrasound (AIU), Broadbeach Waters, Queensland Duration: 2 days Workshop fee: $2,100 (AUD) Registration: Australian Institute of Ultrasound website Facilitators: Dr Jackie Chua MBBS FRANZCOG DDU COGU; A/Prof Robert Cincotta MBBS FRANZCOG DDU CMFM; Angela Moffat DMU Grad Dip App Sc (Med Ultrasonography) AMS DCR (Radiography UK); Claire Arrowsmith MSc (ultrasound) Pg DMU DCR AMS Cert IV training and assessment |
Introduction to Obstetric Ultrasound Course – 3 days Location: Australian Institute of Ultrasound (AIU), Broadbeach Waters, Queensland Duration: 3 days Workshop fee: $3,100 (AUD) Registration: Australian Institute of Ultrasound website Facilitators: A/Prof Robert Cincotta MBBS FRANZCOG DDU CMFM; Dr Jackie Chua MBBS FRANZCOG DDU COGU; Angela Moffat DCRR DMU Grad Dip App Sc) AMS; Jenni Sanderson B.A., Grad. Dip Ed, DMU, Grad Dip Medical Radiation (Sonography), AMS; Nancy Grexton CARDUP, ARDMS, AMS; Claire Arrowsmith MMedUS, DMU (UK), AMS; Cathy Low ARDMS AMS |
O&G Ultrasound Workshop Location: O&G Complete Women’s Health, 69 Barnard Street, North Adelaide, South Australia Duration: 1 day Workshop fee: $1,000 (AUD) Registration: Dr Kate Martin, kate.martin2@sa.gov.au Facilitators: Dr Kate Martin MBBS FRANZCOG; Dr Jane Woolcock MBBS (Hons), BMus, BSc, FRANZCOG, DDU, COGU; Dr Alice Robinson MBBS FRANZCOG DDU COGU; Dr Victoria Snowball FRANZCOG, MBBS, BMedSc, MPH&TM; Dr Amanda Poprzeczny MBBS, BMedSc (Hons), FRANZCOG, Clinical Academic; Dr Aimee Woods B.App.Sc (MedSci) MBBS FRANZCOG |
Ultrasound Short Course: Obstetrics and Gynaecology Location: Australian Institute of Healthcare Education Duration: 2 days Workshop fee: $1,550 (AUD) Registration: Australian Institute of Healthcare Education website |
Intensive Ultrasound (U/S) Rotation Location: Western Australia Duration: minimum of 13 x 3-hour sessions Facilitators: Dr Louise Farrell, Professor Jan Dickinson and Dr Peter Hugo |
RANZCOG Beginners Ultrasound Workshop Location: Auckland City Hospital, New Zealand Duration: 2 days (16 hours) Workshop fee: $1,150 (NZD) Dates: Mid-February each year Registration: NZ Regional Office, phone +64 4 472 4608 or email jkaveney@ranzcog.edu.au Facilitator: Dr Audrey Long FRANZCOG |
How to apply for program approval
If you’re an program provider seeking to gain RANZCOG approval of an ultrasound workshop or course, you must:
Additional workshops (optional)
Trainees may also choose to complete the following optional workshops:
eLearning modules
Trainees must complete several eLearning modules (eLMs) via Acquire, including those outlined below.
Cultural competency
If you commenced training on or after 1st December 2018, you must complete cultural competency training by the end of Year 2 of Basic Training.
On completing the training, you must submit a record of attendance via My.RANZCOG.
In Australia, this involves completing:
In Aotearoa New Zealand, this involves completing:
Additional eLearning modules (optional)*
Trainees may also choose to complete the following eLearning modules offered by RANZCOG:
*Please note that you can also complete FSEP as your compulsory fetal surveillance program — see the Workshops and Courses section above to learn more about this training requirement, including information on other approved programs.
In-Hospital Clinical Assessment (IHCA)
The In-Hospital Clinical Assessment (IHCA) is an evaluation of your competence to perform obstetric and gynaecological surgical procedures.
Ultrasound IHCA
In 2019, the College introduced changes to the ultrasound requirement in training, which included:
no longer accepting the Ultrasound IHCA from trainees who commenced training on or after 1st December 2016 — effective from 28th February 2021
implementation of a second ultrasound Assessment of Procedural Surgical Skills (APSS Ultrasound B) to replace the Ultrasound IHCA
For more information on the APSS Ultrasound requirements, please see the Assessment of Procedural Surgical Skills section above.
Ultrasound requirement
Training cohort | APSS Ultrasound A | APSS Ultrasound B | Ultrasound IHCA |
---|---|---|---|
Trainees commencing on or after 1st December 2018 | Required | Required | Not accepted |
Trainees commencing between 1st December 2016 to 30th November 2018 | Required | Required (unless Ultrasound IHCA was completed prior to 28th February 2021) | No assessments accepted after 28th February 2021 |
Trainees commencing prior to 1st December 2016 | Not required | Not required | Required* |
*Please note that if you commenced training prior to 1st December 2016, you must satisfactorily complete the prescribed IHCAs with an approved assessor.
Forms
Colposcopy IHCA
In November 2020, the College approved the following changes:
termination of the colposcopy in-hospital clinical assessment (IHCA)
implementation of the colposcopy APSS to replace the colposcopy IHCA — effective from 1st December 2020
Please note that the College will not accept the colposcopy ICHA for credit if completed after 28 February 2021.
For more information on the colposcopy APSS requirements, please see the Assessment of Procedural Surgical Skills section above.
Research requirement
The research requirement is compulsory for all trainees.
Points-based research activities
If you commenced training on or after 1st December 2017, you must meet your research requirement under the points-based research study model.
Effective from February 2022, under this model you must complete a minimum of three points of approved research study activity by the end of 52 weeks (FTE) of Advanced Time in Training (ATIT), as described in the following documents:
Planning your research activities
Trainees are strongly encouraged to discuss with their training supervisor how they plan to carry out their research activities during their time in training — the Planned Research Activity Form can be used to facilitate this discussion.
While not mandatory, it is suggested that trainees complete the discussion and have the form signed by their training supervisor no later than the end of 104 FTE weeks of time in training in the FRANZCOG Basic Training Program.
A copy can be uploaded to My.RANZCOG (Submission of Research > Points based research study > select ‘Planned research activity form’).
Submitting your research activities
Completed research activities must be uploaded to My.RANZCOG (Additional Requirements > Points-based research study), along with required supporting documentation, as per the Points-Based Research Study — Approved Research Activities.
Trainees should select the activity they have completed from the Research Activity dropdown box. Each activity must be uploaded as a separate submission, to ensure correct allocation of points.
Research Toolkit module
The aims of the Research Toolkit are to equip trainees with:
an understanding of the principles of evidence-based medicine
the ability to critically appraise the scientific literature and confidently interpret and evaluate research
the skills required to design, complete and present their research study
Please note that you can access the Research Toolkit via Acquire.
For the one point to be awarded, you must submit the Certificate of Completion via My.RANZCOG (Additional Requirements > Points-Based Research Study > RANZCOG Research Toolkit).
Research proposal and project
If you commenced training before 1st December 2017 (and you have not opted in to the points-based research model), you must submit a Research Project to the College for assessment.
A Research Project Proposal must be submitted to the College, and approved, before the Research Project can be started.
For more information, please refer to the following documents:
Submitting your research proposal
The Research Proposal Submission Form and Research Proposal — Supervisor Endorsement Form must be submitted for assessment.
Upload the forms to My.RANZCOG (Additional Requirements > Submission of Research Proposal).
During the course of your research, if your research project changes from the original approved Research Proposal, you must submit a new Research Proposal form for assessment and approval.
Submitting your research project
The Research Project Submission Form and the Research Project Submission — Supervisor Endorsement Form, together with supporting documentation, must accompany the research project when it is submitted for assessment to the College.
Research submissions must be uploaded to My.RANZCOG (Additional Requirements > Completion of Research Project/Study), along with required supporting documentation, as per the Research Project — Submission Form.
Opting-in to the points-based model
If you commenced training before 1st December 2017, you have the option to opt in to the points-based research study model.
When submitting your research in My.RANZCOG, please select ‘Points-Based Research Study’ as the entry type and you will see an alert confirming that you are now opting into the points-based research study/model.
Recognition of prior research
In some circumstances, trainees who commenced training prior to 1 December 2017 may apply for recognition of prior research.
For more information, please refer to the following documents:
For this to be assessed, the Research Project — Recognition of Prior Research Form must be submitted.
Upload to My.RANZCOG (Additional Requirements > Completion of Research Project/Study), together with any supporting documentation.
Advanced Training Pathway (ATP) requirements
In 2018, the College introduced Advanced Training Pathway (ATP) requirements to:
establish minimum procedural requirements for advanced trainees
clarify expectations for trainees and training sites
consistently prepare advanced trainees for a career as a consultant
If you commenced training on or after 1st December 2014, you must complete the ATP requirements, which can be undertaken full-time or part-time at any time during Advanced Training.
The Advanced Training Pathways to the Fellowship of RANZCOG (FRANZCOG), each with different requirements, are outlined in the diagram below.
Please note that if you commenced training before 1 December 2014, you are not required to undertake the Advanced Training Pathway.
Generalist pathway
Subspecialist pathway
Trainees undertaking the Subspecialist pathway prior to Fellowship must complete one of the following options:
the Essential Obstetrics and Gynaecology Skills ATM, concurrently with a minimum of 46 weeks of satisfactorily assessed Subspecialty training, or
the Generalist Obstetrics ATM and Generalist Gynaecology ATM, concurrently over a minimum of 23 weeks, prior to commencing Subspecialist training, plus a minimum of 23 weeks of satisfactorily assessed Subspecialty training
Please follow the links below for more information:
Sexual and Reproductive Health pathway
Introduction to Sexual and Reproductive Health pathway
Learn more about the Sexual and Reproductive Health Advanced Training pathway, including an overview of core and elective modules.
Trainees undertaking the Sexual and Reproductive Health pathway must complete the requirements listed below.
Please follow the links listed under each module for more information.
Trainees are expected to complete the training and assessment requirements for the Sexual and Reproductive Health Advanced Training Pathway over 92 weeks (FTE) of satisfactorily completed prospectively approved Advanced Training.
Specific logbook and other assessment requirements detailed in the individual modules may be completed in a minimum of 46 weeks.
Please follow the link below for more information.
Special-interest Advanced Training Modules (optional)
The College also offers a suite of optional special-interest Advanced Training Modules (ATMs), as outlined below.
Please follow the links listed under each module for more information.
Prospective approval
Prior to commencing Advanced Training, you must submit your Advanced Training Pathway (ATP) requirements for prospective approval via My.RANZCOG.
As part of the prospective approval process, the College will confirm that your training site can provide sufficient clinical experience to support your Advanced Training program.
Please note that the College will only credit ATP requirements that have been prospectively approved.
The process of application is as follows:
Set up
Secure a suitable ATP position (as identified by potential training sites)
Application
Submit documentation via My.RANZCOG for prospective approval of training, including the following form:
Completion and sign-off
The process of Advanced Training Pathway (ATP) completion and sign-off is as follows:
Training
Complete the ATP requirements within the designated timeframe
Completion
Submit the ATP Completion Form via My.RANZCOG (Additional Requirements dashboard), including a signature from your Training Supervisor and Head of Department