Last Update: 22/03/2013 14:12
The PFET Committee is responsible for assessing and accrediting
Post Fellowship Education and Training Programs which may be
proposed by Specialty Societies of the nine specialties, or, by
Sub-specialty Societies that have obtained sponsorship from the
relevant major Specialty Society. The PFET Committee is comprised
of nominees of the Societies representing the nine surgical
specialties. Approved PFET Programs will be co-badged by the
College and the relevant Society or Specialty Society, however the
College does not itself manage or administer the PFET Programs -
this is undertaken by the relevant Society.
Approved PFET Programs
Colorectal Surgery
The Colorectal Surgical Society of Australia and New Zealand
(CSSANZ) Post Fellowship Training Program in Colorectal Surgery was
approved by Council in October 2011, to provide training in
both Australia and New Zealand. Details of this program, the
positions available and the application process may be found at the
CSSANZ
website.
Hand Surgery
The Australian Hand Surgery Society (AHSS) Post Fellowship
Training Program in Hand Surgery was approved by Council in October
2011, to provide training in both Australia and New Zealand.
Details of this program, the positions available, and the
application process may be found at the AHSS
website.
Spinal Surgery
The Neurosurgical Society of Australasia's (NSA) Post Fellowship
Training Program in Spinal Surgery was approved by Council in June
2010, to provide training in both Australia and New
Zealand. Details of the program, the positions available, and
the application process may be found at the NSA website.
The Spine Society of Australia (SSA) and Australian Orthopaedic
Association (AOA) Spinal Surgery Training Program was approved in
June 2011, to provide training in Australia. Details of the
program, the positions available, and the application process may
be found at the SSA website.
Criteria for Approval of Post Fellowship Training Programs
A Post Fellowship Training Program proposal must include
information on:
- Demonstrated need based on public benefit
- Justification on the basis of a specific and unique technical
and scientific knowledge base
- Evidence that the proposed program provides education and
training that is significantly more specialised than that currently
provided at a generalist level in one or more of the College's nine
specialty training programs
- A defined curriculum based on the College Competencies
- Evidence of deliverability of the proposed curriculum
- In-training formative assessments
- Processes to assess satisfactory performance in training
(including progression and remediation of unsatisfactory
performance) and a mechanism to confirm satisfactory completion of
training
- Appropriate mechanisms for identifying in surgical supervisors
and educators
- Administrative support funded from program fees
- Consideration of workforce issues including the impact of
sub-specialisation on the workplace
- Continuing Professional Development
Approval Process
To assess proposals the PFET Committee will appoint an
Assessment Subcommittee. Members of the assessment Subcommittee
will be members of the PFET Committee or coopted members as
approved.
The Assessment Subcommittee will include representatives of each
of the specialties that recognises the sub-specialty (known as
'interested specialty representatives'), as well as an equal number
of 'non-interested specialty representatives'. The Assessment
Subcommittee consider the proposal in accordance with the Guidelines
for Approval of Post Fellowship Training, and will put forward
to the PFET Committee a report for consideration. The full PFET
Committee will consider the report and make a recommendation to the
Education Board for approval. Final sign-off occurs at Council.
Implementation
If a proposed Post Fellowship Education and Training Program is
approved, the Society proposing the program must enter into a
Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the College and the
sponsoring Specialty Societies. A service agreement must be
negotiated detailing the administration and funding of the program.
The agreement will include, but not be limited to selection, post
accreditation, training and assessment, and reporting.
Once trainees have commenced the PFET program, a 'per-trainee'
annual Administration Fee is payable to the College by
the Society.
Submission Process
Proposals may be submitted by a Specialty Society representing
one of the nine specialties, or, by Sub-specialty Societies that
have obtained sponsorship from a Specialty Society representing one
of the nine specialties. If the proposed PFET program intends to
operate in both Australia and New Zealand, sponsorship by both the
relevant Australian and New Zealand Societies is required.
Proposals addressing the accreditation criteria should be
addressed to the Chair of the PFET Committee and sent care of the
Executive Officer.
A Program Assessment Fee is payable to the
College at the time of submission.
Related Policies
Access policies related to post fellowship
training.
Contact
Tracey Scott
Executive Officer
Post
Fellowship Education and Training Committee
Royal Australasian College of Surgeons
College of Surgeons' Gardens
250-290 Spring Street
East Melbourne VIC 3002 Australia
Telephone: +61 3 9276 7418
Fax: +61 3 9249 1240
Email: pfetc@surgeons.org