CPD Program FAQ's

Fellows of RACS, SIMG’s on a pathway to FRACS, SIMG/Consultants working in surgery, PGY3+ practitioners working in a surgically affiliated field (i.e., surgical assistants, proceduralists). Participants do not have to be a FRACS to participate.

Please follow instructions below on how to join. 

1. Click on the subscriptions link

2. Sign in using your my.surgeons.org account or if you don't have an account 'Sign Up'

3. Click on subscribe button for CPD Program Enrolment (MOPS/PGY3+)

4. Check your details and update (if necessary)

5. Enter your details including your Medical ID registration then validate

6. Add to cart

7. Pay subscription

SIMG/Consultants working in surgery - AUD $3575 NZ $4000

PGY3+ practitioners working in a surgical affiliated field (ie., surgical assistants, proceduralists) - an introductory fee $500 (subject to change) 

The CPD program requirements are aligned to the regulatory standards in Aotearoa New Zealand and Australia. Participants in the RACS program are asked to define their area of practice each year and participate in activities relevant to their scope.

Participants define their own Area of Practice against a list developed in consultation. This includes area specific to a practitioner’s specialty and the other relating to areas relevant to all specialties (i.e., communication etc).

At least 50% of CPD activity must relate to a participant’s current Area of Practice. The remaining 50% of CPD activities can relate to an Area of Practice or other interests such as pursuing re-skilling or re-training opportunities. Area of Practice can be adjusted at any time throughout the CPD year by the participant.

Fellows of RACS, SIMG/Consultants working as a surgeon
•    Complete at least one (1) Learning Plan per annum
•    Complete at least two (2) education activities, minimum 40 points/hours per annum
•    Complete at least one (1) audit of self/own practice
•    Complete ANZASM surgical case forms as required
•    Complete a minimum 15 points/hours per annum of Performance Review activity including at least one (1) ‘Performance of Self’ activity and one (1) Performance of Others activity

PGY3+ practitioners working in a surgically affiliated field (I.e., surgical assistants, proceduralists) have the same requirements as Fellows of RACS, SIMG/Consultants working as a surgeon except for Education Activities where they are required to complete minimum 20 points/hours (not 40 points/hours).

SIMGS on a Pathway to FRACS should contact the SIMG department for further information on their requirements. 

In addition to professional development courses, RACS provides the following activities to support CPD participation and compliance:
•    A Professional Development Plan template, which once complete automatically logs compliance with this requirement (included in fee)
•    A Morbidity Audit and Logbook tool (MALT) (included in fee)
•    Access to a Multisource Feedback Tool via CFEP Surveys (at cost)
•    RACS Library Access (included in fee)

The RACS Program is an annual program implemented across a calendar year (1 January - 31 December). Participants are expected to have their CPD submitted by no later than 28 February.

The CPD Program requires participants to self-report their activity. Once a participant has logged sufficient activity against each category, the online platform will automatically recognise their compliance with the requirements. Participants can finalise their CPD for that year and access a CPD certificate. For those participants who are selected to verify their participation – 10% per annum – they must first provide evidence of participation in the activities logged sufficient to meet the minimum requirement for each category.

Each year 10% of RACS participants are selected to verify their CPD activity. The verification process requires participants to submit supporting documentation for their activities to a level sufficient to meet the minimum requirements in each category. Participants will also need to demonstrate that the activities are relevant to their self-defined Areas of Practice.
      
Participants selected for verification will be notified at least 6 weeks before the end of the CPD period.

The RACS CPD Platform has been developed on a Microsoft D365 Platform.
The system is protected by firewall technology and RACS undertakes regular security tests to ensure its systems are safe from hacking. The daily back-up is held on dedicated software located in Australia. 

The RACS Surgical Competence and Performance Guide outlines the ten (10) competencies and associated behavioural markers. Participants are provided with a graphical display that shows their participation in CPD activity against the ten (10) competencies. The inclusion of the surgical competencies in the CPD program supports planning and reflection on participation in activities across the spectrum of a surgeon's practice.  

The RACS CPD Program requires participants to undertake a structured conversation with a peer. This is a mandatory requirement for Aotearoa New Zealand participants under their learning plan and is an optional activity for Australian participants.
 
 Guidance on how to undertake a structured conversation is available on the RACS website: (insert link)

All participants in the RACS CPD Program must complete an annual CPD Plan/PDP.  RACS has updated the plan to incorporate structured conversation and a requirement to reflect on participation in CPD as it relates to health and wellness, cultural safety, and health inequity.

CPD is a self reporting activity and you can record your activities online or through the mobile app The types of activities recognised in the RACS CPD Program are outlined from page 16 of the RACS CPD Guide.

Examples of activities by category can also be found in the CPD Category Standards:
•    RACS CPD Category Standard – CPD Plan
•    RACS CPD Category Standard – Audit
•    RACS CPD Category Standards – Education Activities
•    RACS CPD Category Standard – Performance Review

You can make an application for an exemption through your CPD dashboard. All applications are and assessed confidentially by the Professional Standards Manager and/or CPD Lead.  Where further information or assessment is required, the Professional Standards Manager CPD Lead will contact the Fellow to confirm their consent to escalate the matter to the Executive Director for Surgical Affairs (Australia), Surgical Advisor (Aotearoa New Zealand) or the Professional Standards Chair.

Requests for exemptions can be for the full requirement or a partial exemption from one or more Category

CPD Exemptions Policy

In addition to guides, professional development and standards, RACS offers support to participants to complete their CPD via:
•    Executive Director for Surgical Affairs (EDSA) in Australia and Surgical Advisors in    Aotearoa New Zealand - available for advice and support on request
•    Clinical Director (SIMG) - available to support SIMG’s on a pathway to FRACS
•    Audit Assistance
o    Peer review of operative audit via specialty association representatives on PSFSC
o    Peer review of medico legal reports via the RACS medico legal section
o    Peer review of locum logbooks facilitate via the EDSA
o    Advice on ANZASM participation via the Clinical Director, Research and Audit
•    Access to support for re-entry and re-skilling program
•    RACS Fellows and SIMGs can access the RACS Support Program

Policies can be found on the website (insert new link to CPD policy page)

RACS provides regular updates on the CPD Program via the following:
•    ‘Fax Mentis’ Newsletter
•    CPD Newsletter (Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand)
•    Direct Communication (Email, SMS)
•    Social Media (Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter)

Your first point of contact is the CPD team. Please contact them on +61 3 9249 1282 or [email protected] (Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm AEDT)