Difficult Conversations with Underperforming Trainees

The aim of the Difficult Conversations with Underperforming Trainees course is to assist Surgical Supervisors to undertake a procedurally fair conversation with a Trainee who is not meeting required standards despite feedback. 

The course provides Surgical Supervisors with a comprehensive framework to follow, including how to prepare for and conduct the conversation and the steps to take after the conversation. 

The course builds on skills learnt in the Foundation Skills for Surgical Education (FSSE) course. The course also explores the role of trust in giving and receiving feedback and the importance of procedural fairness related to difficult conversations.  

Course learning outcomes

By completing this course, you will be able to:
1. Recall the principles of effective feedback from Foundation Skills for Surgical Education course
2. Discuss how to prepare for a difficult conversation with an underperforming Trainee
3. Apply strategies for conducting a difficult conversation on underperformance
4. Describe aspects of procedural fairness that need to be considered in managing difficult conversations with an underperforming Trainee.

Are you eligible for this course?

This course is available to and appropriate for Supervisors, Trainers and Fellows.

Delivery modes

  • Online (4x eLearning modules plus 1x webinar) 
  • Duration: 7 hours total

Schedule and delivery date/times                                         

 Week#   Activity  Requirements
 Week 1  eLearning Module 1   Please allow up to 60 minutes to complete
 Week 2   eLearning Module 2    Please allow up to 60 minutes to complete
 Week 3   eLearning Module 3       Allow up to 60 minutes to complete; Modules 1-3 must be completed before attending the webinar
 Week 4  Webinar  Role plays: 'Difficult Conversations' (90 minutes)
 Week 5   eLearning Module 4      Please allow up to 30 minutes to complete

See webinar dates and times for more information.
                        

 Course commencement   Webinar dates and times  End date
 Monday 24 February 2025  Thursday 20 March 2025, 6:00pm – 8:30pm AEST  Sunday 30 March 2025
 Monday 21 April 2025  Wednesday 14 May 2025, 6:00pm – 8:30pm AEDT  Sunday 25 May 2025
 Monday 7 July 2025  Wednesday 30 July 2025, 6:00pm – 8:30pm AEDT  Sunday 10 August 2025
 Monday 11 August 2025  Thursday 4 September 2025, 6:00pm – 8:30pm AEDT  Sunday 14 September 2025
 Monday 6 October 2025   Wednesday 29 October 2025, 6:00pm – 8:30pm AEST  Sunday 9 November 2025 

 

Course fees

  • A$500 or NZ$535 for College members (Fellows, Trainees or Specialist International Medical Graduates within the College)
  • A$600 or NZ$645 for non-members of the College

*All values include GST 

Please note: as per the Cancellation Policy, the course fee covers the confirmed/advertised duration of the course and includes four online modules and one webinar, which must be completed within the confirmed course timeframe. Failure to complete any of these components will be considered as a withdrawal from the course, and participants will be required to re-enrol and pay the enrolment fee for an upcoming course, should they wish to complete the course. 


CPD points

Completing this course will entitle participants to 7 CPD hours.


Main RACS competencies addressed

  • Communication
  • Leadership and management
  • Scholarship and teaching

 

Course references

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

 

Acknowledgement

The original course development was partially funded by the Australian Government Department of Health through the Specialist Training Program (STP).

Additionally, the Cultural Safety and Indigenous Health content in this course was funded by the Australian Government Department of Health through the Specialist Training Program (STP).

 

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