Supervising Committee
Specialist Advisory Committee in Endocrinology (SAC).

Definition of Specialty

The specialty of clinical endocrinology encompasses the diagnosis and management of disorders of the endocrine system. Endocrinologists provide treatment, diagnostic and laboratory analysis and conduct basic and applied research in a wide range of humoral and metabolic conditions. These include diabetes and its complications, thyroid, pituitary and adrenal disease, gonadal disorders and infertility, neuroendocrine conditions, benign and malignant glandular tumours, disorders of growth, genetic and congenital glandular dysfunction, lipid and nutritional abnormalities, menopausal disorders and osteoporosis and metabolic bone disease.

General Principles of Training

1. Advanced physician training in endocrinology and metabolism consists of a three year program comprising core and elective training. Training will usually involve a combination of clinical endocrinology, laboratory medicine and research, but variations to match the requirements of individuals may be considered by the SAC.
   
2. At least two years core training in endocrinology and metabolism is necessary. It is desirable, but not mandatory, that both these two years be in aspects of clinical endocrinology and metabolism training. However, regardless of the nature of the remainder of advanced training, one of these two core years must be a comprehensive general clinical endocrinology year at a university teaching hospital, with inpatient and outpatient responsibilities (the Required Clinical year - see below). It is because programs of advanced training in endocrinology may be diverse, that the SAC insists on at least one comprehensive and somewhat structured year.
   
3. Up to 12 months of elective training may be permitted in non-endocrine training posts, provided this training can be shown to be relevant, or add value, to a trainee's core endocrine program.
   
4. Candidates are expected to acquire a depth and breadth of knowledge in clinical endocrinology and metabolism, including diabetes. They must develop a detailed understanding of the principles of endocrine physiology, biochemistry and cellular and hormonal metabolism that underlie clinical and diagnostic specialist practice.
   
5. Trainees are expected to develop expertise with diagnostic laboratory endocrinology, with the current literature in both basic and applied endocrinology and become conversant with research activities in the endocrine field.
   
6. It is desirable that training be undertaken at more than one institution and it is envisaged that this will be necessary for most trainees, to enable them to acquire a sufficient breadth of exposure and experience. Where training is entirely clinical, rather than combined with laboratory or research years, it is even more important that training takes place at more than one institution.
   
7. At least one year of advanced training should normally be undertaken in Australia or New Zealand, preferably the RC year.
   
8. Experience in clinical or laboratory research and in diagnostic endocrine laboratory medicine is an essential component of training. Some exposure to these aspects of endocrinology may occur during clinical training or may form the major component of advanced training undertaken after the RC year. One or at most two research years undertaken, for example towards an MD or PhD may be counted toward advanced training in endocrinology and metabolism, providing prospective approval for the research program is given. It is expected that the research will include some regular clinical commitment.
   
9. During the course of advanced training, each trainee in endocrinology and metabolism will undergo an interview by or on behalf of the SAC. The purpose of the interview is both to permit formative assessment of the training undertaken to date and assist in the planning of future training directions and to allow feedback from the trainee to the SAC.

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