Operating with Respect

The Operating with Respect course was developed in response to the release of the RACS Action Plan on Discrimination, Bullying and Sexual Harassment in the Practice of Surgery. It is designed to deliver advanced training in recognising, managing and preventing discrimination, bullying and sexual harassment, to help all surgeons create a safe, respectful workplace culture that positively impacts Trainee learning and ultimately improves surgical care. 

It provides participants with practical strategies and skills to respond appropriately to unacceptable behaviour and promotes reflection and self-awareness, challenges common biases, assumptions and erroneous views and is delivered by skilled faculty. The course is compulsory for Surgical Supervisors and Committee members.

Course learning outcomes

By completing this course, you will be able to:
1. Appraise why a culture of respect matters
2. Evaluate behaviours that support respectful environments
3. Recognise the importance of resilience in maintaining respectful interactions 
4. Practise how to address unacceptable behaviours.

 

Are you eligible for this course?

This course is compulsory for Surgical Supervisors and Committee Members. 

It is also available to Fellows and Specialist International Medical Graduates (SIMGs) who are either Members of RACS or of other Colleges. 

Note: You are not eligible to attend this course if you are not a Fellow or SIMG.

 

Delivery mode 

Mode of delivery: Face-to-face 1-day course Duration: 1 day (7 hours)

Dates and locations:

Time: All courses run from 8:15am – 4:00pm local time

 Date  Location
 Wednesday 5 March 2025  Perth, WA
 Thursday 27 March 2025  Brisbane, QLD
 Friday 2 May 2025  Sydney, NSW
 Tuesday 6 May 2025  Sydney, NSW
 Friday 16 May 2025  Adelaide, SA
 Saturday 24 May 2025  Melbourne, VIC
 Saturday 26 July 2025  Brisbane, QLD
 Saturday 6 September 2025  Wellington, AoNZ
 Friday 17 October 2025  Melbourne, VIC
 Friday 21 November 2025  Sydney, NSW
 

 

Course fees

RACS Members (Fellows or SIMGs): A$400 or NZ$430 (fully refundable if course is attended) 

Note: This fee will be refunded in full after attendance at the course is confirmed. Non-attendance will incur the registration fee in full. Withdrawal from the course will be subject to the Professional Development Fees and Refunds Regulation.  

 

RACS Non-members (Fellows or SIMGs of other Colleges): A$650 or NZ$700 (non-refundable, even if course is attended) 

Note: Withdrawal from the course will be subject to the Professional Development Fees and Refunds Regulation. The fee is not refundable after attendance at the course is confirmed. 

 

CPD points

Completing this course will entitle participants to 7 CPD hours.

 

Main RACS competencies addressed

  • Collaboration and teamwork 
  • Communication
  • Professionalism

 

Course references

Course references are available from the RACS library (login required). 

 

Related course

In preparation for this course, we recommend that you complete the 1-hour eLearning course, Introduction to Operating with Respect. 

 

Register here (login required)