Overview
The Post Fellowship Education and Training (PFET) approval
process was established in 2009 to accredit programs conducted
externally by providers who seek endorsement. The program has been
developed by RACS in association with the Specialty Societies
representing the nine specialties in which RACS trains
pre-Fellowship.
PFET programs may be proposed by external Specialty Societies
seeking accreditation by RACS. Proposals may be made by major
Specialty Societies representing one of the nine pre-Fellowship
specialties, or, by Sub-specialty Societies that have obtained
sponsorship from the relevant major Specialty Society. Proposed
PFET Programs are assessed by the PFET Committee in
accordance with the Approval of Post Fellowship
Training Programs policy.
Approved PFET Programs will be accredited for five years and are
co-badged by RACS and the Specialty Society conducting the Program.
RACS does not itself manage or administer the accredited PFET
Programs; this is undertaken by the relevant Society.
This PFET accreditation process is limited only to those
programs that seek accreditation, and does not preclude specialty
societies from independently approving other programs.
PFET Committee
The PFET Committee (PFETC) was established
to consider the approval and co-badging of education and training
programs in sub-specialties of the nine specialties. The Committee
is comprised of nominees of the Societies representing the nine
surgical specialties.
The PFET Committee meets three times per
year to access new proposals in accordance with the Approval of Post Fellowship
Training Programs policy, and will make a recommendation to the
Education Board for approval.
Accreditation Process
The steps for obtaining accreditation of a PFET program are
outlined as follows:
- If the proposing Society is not a major Specialty Society
representing one of the nine specialties, sponsorship must be
obtained from the relevant major Specialty. If it is planned for
the program to run in both Australia and New Zealand, sponsorship
may be required from both the relevant major Society in both
countries (if it is not a bi-national Society).
- Download and complete the PFET Program
Application Form (Word 400KB).
- Ensure all appropriate documentation is attached as per the
checklist on the application form.
- Submit the completed form to pfetc@surgeons.org by the
submission deadline.
- Pay the PFET Accreditation fee.
- The PFET Program submission is considered by the PFET
Committee. If the proposing Society is not already represented on
the PFET Committee, a representative of that Society is invited to
the PFET Committee meeting to make a presentation and to answer any
questions from the Committee.
- The PFET program submission is put forward for approval by the
Education Board.
- If approved, a letter confirming the accreditation terms and
period is sent to the proposing Society.
- The RACS PFET Logo is provided to the proposing Society for
use.
New PFET Programs proposals will be accepted for consideration
by the PFET Committee in accordance with the following dates (for
2018):
19 January 2018
11 May 2018
7 September 2018
Fees
A non-refundable PFET Program Accreditation Fee is payable by
the Society proposing the PFET Program. This fee is charged upon
receipt of a PFET Program submission.
The 2018 PFET Program Accreditation fee is:
Australia $3,365 (including GST)
New Zealand $3,765 (including GST)
Criteria for Approval of Post Fellowship Education and Training
Programs
A PFET Program proposal must address the following criteria:
- 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
- A defined requirement for clinical activity during PFET
training (such as minimum logbook numbers, case-mix,
primary/secondary operator level, operating sessions or outpatient
clinics)
- In-training formative assessments
- A defined requirement for research during training
- 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
The Program proposal must also include information on:
- The benefit to patient care
- Education standards consistent with the College's core
competencies
- Infrastructure consequences for the College
- Standards of care
Approved PFET Programs
PFET Programs have been accredited by RACS in the following
sub-specialties:
Cerebrovascular Surgery
The Neurosurgical Society of Australasia (NSA) Post Fellowship
Training Program in Cerebrovascular Surgery was approved by RACS in
August 2014, 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.
Colorectal Surgery
The Colorectal Surgical Society of Australia and New Zealand
(CSSANZ) Post Fellowship Training Program in Colorectal Surgery
regulations were approved by Council in 1992 and accreditation of
the program under the current PFET process was formalised in March
2016. The Colorectal Surgery PFET program is overseen by the
Australia and New Zealand Training Board in Colon and Rectal
Surgery (ANZTBCRS) and provides training in both Australia and New
Zealand. Details of the program, the positions available, and the
application process may be found at the CSSANZ website.
Craniomaxillofacial Surgery
The Australian and New Zealand Society of Craniomaxillofacial
Surgery (ANZSCMFS) Post Fellowship Training Program in
Craniomaxillofacial Surgery was approved by RACS in June 2016, to
provide training in Australia, New Zealand and a small number of
overseas positions. Details of the program, the positions
available, and the application process may be found at the ANZSCMFS website.
Gastric and Oesophageal Surgery
The Australian and New Zealand Gastric and Oesophageal Surgery
Association was approved by RACS in February 2017, 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 ANZGOSA 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.
Hepatic, Pancreatic and Biliary Surgery
The Australia New Zealand Hepatic, Pancreatic and Biliary
Association (ANZHPBA) Post Fellowship Training Program in Hepatic,
Pancreatic and Biliary surgery was approved by Council in February
2016, 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 ANZHPBA website.
Paediatric Neurosurgery
The Neurosurgical Society of Australasia (NSA) Post Fellowship
Training Program in Paediatric Neurosurgery was approved by RACS in
June 2014, 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.
Spinal Surgery
The Neurosurgical Society of Australasia (NSA) and the
Australian Orthopaedic Association's (AOA) joint Post Fellowship
Training Program in Spinal Surgery was approved by RACS in October
2014. Details of the program, the positions available, and the
application process may be found at the NSA website.
Transplantation Surgery
General Surgeons Australia's (GSA) Post Fellowship Training
Program in Transplantation Surgery was approved by RACS in April
2015, 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 GSA website.
Related Policies
Access policies related to post fellowship
training.
Contact
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