Obstetrics

Specific accreditation requirements

Accreditation for a DRANZCOG training post is through the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RANZCOG). The post must be accredited by RANZCOG before the commencement of training.

Hospitals wishing to apply for accreditation of a DRANZCOG training post must apply to the RANZCOG.

Hospitals must normally deliver at least 300 babies /year/training post and provide paediatric support.

The hospital Obstetric unit should also have at least one staff member with a FRANZCOG.

Hospital based training is usually a 6 or 12 month post. DRANZCOG posts are 6 mths; DRANZCOG Advanced posts are of 12 month duration.

Training must be completed not more than 2 years before application to sit the exam. Interrupted training of two 3 month periods is accepted providing the interval between these periods is less than 2 years.

Part-time requires prospective approval by the JCCO. Such training should not be less than half-time and the duration of the training period must be extended appropriately.

Each hospital must be able to offer each trainee at least: 

• 6 hours family planning
• 70 hours in antenatal clinics or equivalent
• 70 hours in Gynaecology clinic or equivalent
• Personal conduct of the management of labour and delivery of at least 25 women
• Supervision of the management of labour and delivery of at least 20 additional women
• 5 instrumental deliveries
• 10 dilation and curettage of the uterus.

Trainees are expected to take on the roles and responsibilities of a junior obstetric registrar.

Training supervision

Each post must have a supervisor who is a specialist obstetrician and is actively involved in obstetric practice in the hospital. An additional GP supervisor is required for a DRANZCOG Advanced post.

Trainees may be under the supervision of other staff in their day-to-day work activities.

One to one teaching should occur in the course of the training. Trainees should be encouraged to attend any educational sessions or programs offered to other staff.

Registrars are required to maintain clinical diaries/log books which their supervisor should regularly review.

Curriculum

1. Attitudes and general skills
2. Communication and counselling skills
3. Documentation
4. Ethical and legal
5. Epidemiology and research
6. Women’s health issues
7. Obstetrics

• Periconceptional care
• Antenatal care
• Labour
• Puerperium and postnatal
• Perinatal mortality and morbidity

8. Neonatology
9. Gynaecology
10. Family Planning

Assessment

A DRANZCOG training booklet is available for the recording of learnt training skills and procedural experience. The booklet contains the clinical procedures log book and the 2 certificates which need to be signed by supervisors as a statement that training has been satisfactorily completed.

A formal examination has to be passed for the trainee to be awarded the DRANZCOG. Trainees in positions which have not been prospectively accredited by the JCCO are not eligible to sit the DRANZCOG examination.

DRANZCOG Advanced trainees need to undertake an additional 6 months training, completion of 5 written case studies, and undergo an exit interview with the State Reference Committee Chair.

Note: Comprehensive DRANZCOG curriculum statements & specific examination requirements are outlined in the DRANZCOG, DRANZCOG Advanced Regulations and Syllabus which can be obtained by contacting the Program Manager on 02 4968 6753 or michael.geoghegan@gptvtc.com.au