General Information Variations in Training Interruptions Normally basic training should be continuous. If basic training is interrupted for more than 2 years the CPPT will usually require an additional period of training. Trainees who have satisfactorily completed 24 months of basic training may sit for the examination during a period of interrupted training, provided they are registered with the College. Trainees who do not register during the period of interruption will cease to receive the College publications, forms, and updates on training and are ineligible to sit for the examination. Trainees who interrupt their training after completion of basic training for longer than 2 years and are not involved in clinical work, will normally be required to undertake one additional year of prospectively approved training before being eligible to commence advanced training. Trainees who are interrupting training should notify the CPPT of their decision. The Training Section of the College in Australia or the College office in New Zealand should be contacted for an appropriate form. Leave In each year of training, standard statutory recurrent leave entitlements (holiday, conference, etc) can be taken without prolonging training. However, it is recognised that over a 6-year training period, additional or exceptional periods of leave may be required for eg include maternity/paternity leave or prolonged illness. These may occur as a single episode or on repeated occasions. As a general principle, the total period of leave (i.e. including holiday, special leave, etc) in any one training year should not exceed 2 months. The total leave taken during basic training will be considered and individual circumstances may be taken into account. If the total period of leave during either basic or advanced training is considered to have been in excess of the guidelines or to have interfered significantly with training, an additional period of training may be required. Part Time Training Training may be undertaken full time or part time or a combination of both. All part time training must meet the same requirements as full time training. Part time training is defined as continuous training equal to at least 20% or more of a full time clinical training position at any time. Basic training must be completed within seven years otherwise further training will be required. At least two of the six years must be full time. Job sharing is acceptable. Trainees are encouraged to discuss their training with the CAT of the SAC/JSAC in Australia or the Chair of the SAC/JSAC in New Zealand. Job sharing is permitted, particularly if the work is shared concurrently by two part time trainees. Approval and accreditation processes are the same as for full time training. Research The College adopts a flexible attitude to the inclusion of research in both basic and advanced training. However, all applicants for Fellowship must be satisfactorily trained as physicians, whether or not their training program includes a significant component of research. In Australia, at least 4½ years of the 6 years training must be spent in clinical paediatrics. In New Zealand at least 3 years of the 6 years of training must be in clinical paediatrics. Normally, research may be undertaken during advanced training but up to 6 months of research work may be accepted towards basic training requirements and this should be discussed with the DPPT. Teaching Basic trainees are expected to teach medical students, interns and other health professionals in the course of their training. Teaching may include bedside tutorials, small group discussions and larger group presentations. Whilst some material will be well known to trainees, preparation will usually be required. When such are available, trainees are encouraged to attend courses outlining principles of adult learning and effective presentation techniques. Feedback from more senior clinicians and medical educators should be arranged periodically. Training in Rural Centres The College wishes to promote rural training opportunities at both basic and advanced levels. The College acknowledges that there is a shortage of paediatricians in rural areas, and believes that rural positions offer excellent training and provide an opportunity for trainees to experience practice in a non metropolitan setting. During basic training this will generally be achieved by rotation to non metropolitan secondment hospitals and those in the rotation network. Provided the level of supervision is adequate and the workload appropriate to training in paediatric medicine, such training may be considered towards the requirement for at least 6 months in core paediatric rotations during basic training. Trainees who are considering completing advanced training under the supervision of the Specialist Advisory Committee in General Paediatrics (Australia), are required to complete a minimum of 6 months of rural training during the 6 years of paediatric training. This can be completed in either basic or advanced training. Training and Transfers between Australia and New Zealand At either level of training (basic or advanced) training may be undertaken in either Australia or New Zealand. Trainees should seek further advice from the Training Section of the College in Australia or the College office in New Zealand. Transfers between Adult Medicine and Paediatrics and Child Health Divisions Trainees wishing to transfer from training in adult medicine to training in paediatric medicine during basic training should apply to the CPPT. Generally, there will be an additional period of training required. Within the full 36 months of basic training, up to 24 months exemption may be given for basic training in adult medicine. Trainees who have successfully completed basic training and the examination in adult medicine would normally be required to undertake one year of basic training and the Clinical Examination in paediatrics before commencing advanced training. [ Table of Contents ]

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