TEALE FENNING

Nick Raine-Fenning

The curriculum for Academic Training was presented and approved by the Council on Saturday 20th May. The summary of the report is as follows:

Quote:

There has been a steady decline in the number of academic posts and trainees in recent years, and there is a danger of O&G being sidelined into a second-class academic specialty.

The RCOG proposes that in line with the new Specialist Training & Education programme framework, Academic Career training is considered as a definitive career pathway.

The trainee can opt to be an academic trainee from ST1 or may opt to enter during the early years of training.

An extra 2 years for MD and 3 for PhD may be taken during the training period whilst those with higher degrees already can go through academic training as described without these extra years.

The clinical training needed for the academic trainee will not be compromised despite the need to spend increasing hours on academic activities with advancement in training.

Currently only two research Fellowships in O&G are awarded each year because of fierce competition from the other specialties and the increasing demands placed by the RAE. With academic training in O&G this situation may improve.

An interesting move for sure and one that will undoubtedly change the face of academic O&G. I am pleased that there is still an option to do a higher degree even if you are not planning on being an academic and that you can enter the training scheme at a late stage of your career.
_________________
"Teale Fenning Medical Education" delivering evidence-based, exam-orientated learning since 1997