Gastroenterology

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Program
overview
Apply
or re-register
Program
requirements
Forms and
resources

Program overview

Gastroenterology Handbook In Advanced Training in Gastroenterology, you will explore in-depth specialty training in the prevention, investigation, treatment of and research into illnesses involving the gastrointestinal tract and liver. You will train under supervision and prepare for independent practice as a consultant. The program builds your skills through work-based assessments and learning tools

Program Updates

All our Advanced Training programs are evaluated biennially by overseeing committees to ensure they are in line with educational best practice. Changes in program requirements may occur and could impact your training plan. Please ensure you are following the correct requirements during your training. You can find the latest changes in the 2019-20 program updates

Entry requirements

Prospective trainees must:

have completed the RACP Basic Physician Training (including the RACP Written and Clinical Examinations)
hold a current medical registration
have an appointment to an appropriate Advanced Training position

New and current trainees need to apply for Advanced Training each year.

Duration

The Advanced Training in Gastroenterology requires three years of full-time equivalent (FTE) training.

Qualification

Successful trainees will be admitted to the Fellowship of the Royal Australasian College of Physicians (FRACP). Eligibility is dependent on the completion of all requirements of training. Once the overseeing committee has recommended you for admission, the College will invite you to apply for Fellowship.

New Fellows will receive formal notification from the College that they have been admitted to Fellowship and receive a letter confirming the completion of their training. All Fellows in Australia, New Zealand and overseas in active practice must meet the requirements of a Continuing Professional Development program.

Apply or re-register

Australia

When open, Australian trainees can use the Advanced Training online registration.

Apply Online

Alternatively, submit your application form to Gastroenterology@racp.edu.au

New Zealand

New Zealand trainees can submit their application form to Gastroenterology@racp.org.nz

Advanced Training positions

Core training generally needs to be undertaken at accredited training sites.

Approval and certification of training

Once you have secured a training position, you must prospectively apply for approval as per the Progression through Training Policy.

Approval of training periods will be determined by the overseeing committee. To be approved, your individual training program must be consistent with the training requirements and appropriate for the stage in training.

Upon completion of each rotation or calendar year of training, the overseeing committee considers your progress according to the program requirements. If all requirements of training have been satisfactorily completed, the overseeing committee will certify the period of training.

Variations to your training

See Variations in training for processes covering dual, joint, conjoint and post-fellowship training.
See Flexible training option for information on part-time training, interruptions to training or withdrawing from training, exceptional circumstances and time limits.

Changes to rotation or supervision

If there will be a change to your rotation, re-submit a registration form (if the online registration is not open).
Change to supervision must be notified as soon as possible by submitting a Supervisor Details Amendment Form.

Key dates

Closing dates for applications in Australia:

15 February - Applications for prospective approval of rotations in the current year.
31 August - Applications for prospective approval of rotations in the second half of the current year.

Closing dates for applications in New Zealand:

31 March - Applications for prospective approval of April to August rotations.
31 May - Applications for prospective approval of rotations in the second half of the current year.
31 October - Applications for prospective approval of rotations in the first half or whole of the following year.

Trainees must organise the timely submission of all necessary documentation and keep a copy of the application for future reference.

See important dates for Australia and New Zealand trainees.

Late applications

Late applications may be considered up to one month after the deadline. Applications received one month after the deadline will not be considered unless exceptional circumstances can be demonstrated in line with the Special Considerations for Assessment Policy. Late applications incur a late fee.

Fees

The standard annual membership fees apply to the Advanced Training in Gastroenterology program. Visit MyRACP to pay or view prior payments.

Program requirements

By the end of Advanced Training, you must have completed 36 months of certified training time consisting of several work-based learning and assessment tools. These PREP (Physician Ready for Expert Practice) teaching and learning activities are designed to support you in your reflective practice and self-directed learning. A variety of teaching and learning activities and assessments are used, catering to a range of learning needs, styles and situations that may arise in your workplace training.

Requirements overview — Australia

Go to Additional resources for this program's curricula

Core training
(minimum 24 months)

Supervision

Per rotation

1 Supervisor with FRACP actively practicing in gastroenterology
1 Supervisor with FRACP or equivalent

More on Supervision

Teaching and learning requirements

Per year:

2 Learning Needs Analysis
1 Professional Qualities Reflection

Assessments

Per rotation:

1 Supervisor's Report (2 for 12-month rotations)

Per year:

2 Case-based Discussions
1 mini-Clinical Evaluation Exercise
2 Direct Observation of Procedural Skills

Non-core training
(maximum 12 months)

Supervision

Per rotation

1 Supervisor with FRACP
1 Supervisor who may or may not have FRACP (recommended)

More on Supervision

Teaching and learning requirements

Per year:

2 Learning Needs Analysis
1 Professional Qualities Reflection

Assessments

Per rotation:

1 Supervisor's Report (2 for 12-month rotations)

By the end of Advanced Training

You will have completed 36 months of certified training time consisting of:

24 months of core training
12 months of non-core training
Developmental and Psychosocial Training (Paediatric & Child Health trainees only)
1 x Advanced Training Research Project (for trainees commencing training in 2017 onwards)

Requirements overview - New Zealand

Go to Additional resources for this program's curricula

Core training
(minimum 24 months)

Supervision

Per rotation

1 Supervisor with FRACP actively practising in Gastroenterology
1 Supervisor with FRACP or equivalent

More on Supervision

Teaching and learning requirements

Per year:

2 Learning Needs Analysis
1 Professional Qualities Reflection

Assessments

Per rotation:

1 Supervisor’s Report (2 for 12-month rotations)
1 Trainee’s Report
1 mini-Clinical Evaluation Exercise

Per year:

2 Case-based Discussions
2 Direct Observations of Procedural Skills

Non-core training
(maximum 12 months)

Supervision

Per rotation

1 Supervisors with FRACP
1 Supervisor who may or may not have FRACP (recommended)

More on Supervision

Teaching and learning requirements

Per year:

2 Learning Needs Analysis
1 Professional Qualities Reflection

Assessments

Per rotation:

1 Supervisor’s Report (2 for 12-month rotations)
1 Trainee’s Report

By the end of Advanced Training

You will have completed 36 months of certified training time consisting of:

24 months of core training
12 months of non-core training
Developmental and Psychosocial Training (Paediatric & Child Health trainees only)
1 x Advanced Training Research Project (for trainees commencing training in 2017 onwards)

Time-based requirements

Ensures adequate time for trainees to gain necessary learning experiences across a range of relevant rotations.

Training time

A total of 36 months (three years) of full time equivalent (FTE) training.

At least 24 months (two years) of Advanced Training in Gastroenterology must be undertaken in Australia and/or New Zealand.

Streams of training

It is important trainees decide to undertake either:

Option 1 - Clinical stream of training (three clinical years)

Trainees who started Advanced Training in Gastroenterology from 2013 onwards must spend at least six months at a site other than the primary training hospital.
It is preferred that no more than 24 months of core training be undertaken at any one site.

Option 2 - Academic stream of training (two clinical years and one non-core year as part of a PhD or MD)

Trainees need to have a well-developed plan to cover the curriculum over the two-year clinical period.

Training Rotations

Core training:

a minimum of 24 months FTE in accredited clinical training positions.
including the equivalent of at least 12 months of one in four weekends on-call to gain out-of-hours experience.

Non-core training

In Australia, a maximum of 12 months may be undertaken in clinical training in related disciplines or Gastroenterology research.
In New Zealand, the overseeing committee will prospectively approve, on a case-by-case basis, only those rotations that are closely related to Gastroenterology as non-core training for up to a maximum of 12 months.

Other requirements

Trainees are strongly recommended that all trainees complete their Advanced Training at more than one training site.
Within the three-year clinical stream training program, trainees who started Advanced Training in Gastroenterology from 2013 onward must spend at least six months at a site other than the primary training hospital. It is preferred that trainees in this stream undertake no more than 24 months of core training at any one site.
Over the two years of core training, trainees must gain out-of-hours experience. This should be the equivalent of at least 12 months of one in four weekends on-call.

Work-based learning and assessment tools

Open All

Case-based Discussion (CbD)

This formative assessment will guide your learning through structured feedback and help the supervisor evaluate the expertise and judgement exercised in clinical cases.

Requirement

Australia: Two per core training year due by 31 January of the following year
New Zealand: Two per core training year due by 31 October (recommended submission time is later in the rotation)

More information

Enter CbD rating form data into the Advanced Training Portal
See Case-based discussion for information sheets, workflow, ratings and other resources

Developmental and Psychosocial Training

This training assists you in developing a sophisticated understanding of child development, encompassing physical, cognitive, emotional, behavioural and social areas, which should be gained from the perspective of the child within the family and in the context of the community.

Requirement

This is a requirement for Paediatrics & Child Health trainees only.

Australia: Once over entire training period (Basic Training and Advanced Training) for six months due by the end of Advanced Training.
New Zealand: Once over entire training period (Basic Training and Advanced Training) for three months due by the end of Advanced Training.

More information

Developmental and Psychosocial Training

Direct Observation of Procedural Skills (DOPS)

This formative assessment is guides your learning and achievement of competency in procedural skills, through direct observation and the provision of structured feedback by an experienced assessor.

Requirement

Australia: Two per core training year due by 31 January of the following year
New Zealand: Two per core training year due by 31 October

Acceptable procedures

Colonoscopy
Endoscopy

More information

Enter DOPS rating form data into the Advanced Training Portal
See Direct observation of procedural skills for Information sheet, rating form, workflow and procedure lists

Learning Needs Analysis (LNA)

Learning Needs Analysis (LNA) assists you in identifying your learning needs, plan your learning objectives, and evaluate your progress in your practice.

Requirement

Australia: Two per year (core and non-core) due by 31 January of the following year.
New Zealand: Two per year (core and non-core) or one per rotation if there are more than two rotations per year due by the end of each training rotation (recommended submission time is early in the rotation).

More information

Complete and submit the LNA via the Advanced Training Portal
See Learning needs analysis for information sheets and other resources

Mini-Clinical Evaluation Exercise (mini-CEX)

This formative assessment is used to evaluate your clinical performance in real life settings. The mini-CEX ensures you receive timely, structured feedback on how to improve your practice in areas such as communication, history taking, physical examination and professional practice.

Requirement

Australia: One per core training year due by 31 January of the following year.
New Zealand: One per core training rotation due by the end of each training rotation (recommended submission time is earlier in the rotation).

More information

Complete and submit the mini-CEX via the Advanced Training Portal
See mini-Clinical Evaluation Exercises for information sheet, workflow, rating forms and other resources

Professional Qualities Reflection (PQR)

This help trainees articulate and formalise ideas and insights about their professional development through the process of reflection.

Requirement

Australia: One per training year (core and non-core due by 31 January of the following year
New Zealand: One per training rotation due by the end of the training rotation

More information

Submit the PQR via the Advanced Training Portal
See Additional resources for PQR information sheets and workflow

Research requirements

Research requirements enable you to gain experience:

in research methods
in interpretation of research literature
in participation in research at some stage of your career
to develop quality improvement skills

Submission of a research project provides:

evidence of the skills of considering and defining research problems
the systematic acquisition, analysis, synthesis and interpretation of data
effective written communication

Requirement for trainees commencing training in 2017 onwards

1 x Advanced Training Research Project is to be completed over the course of training due by the annual submission date in any year before the end of Advanced Training.

Australia: Due by 15 September
New Zealand: Due by 31 October

The Advanced Training Research Project must be marked as satisfactory prior to admission to Fellowship. It is recommended that trainees submit their research project by the annual submission date in their penultimate year of training to allow time for marking and re-submission of research projects initially marked ‘Resubmit’.

Requirement for trainees who commenced training before 2017

Not required.

More information

Supervisor’s Reports

These summative assessments provide you with structured feedback on your performance and informs the certification of training decision.

Requirement

One Supervisor’s Report is due per rotation, two per rotation for 12-month rotations (core and non-core)

Australia

For Advanced Trainees in 12-month positions:

One Supervisor’s Report is to be submitted by 15 July for the first six months of the calendar year.
One Supervisor’s Report is to be submitted by 31 January of the following year covering the final six months of the calendar year.

For Advanced Trainees in positions of six months or less with separate supervisors, or at separate sites:

One Supervisor’s Report should be completed for each rotation and submitted to the College by 15 July (for first half of the year) and 31 January the following year (for the second half of the year).

Advanced Trainees approaching the end of their training should submit a report that covers the whole second half of the year by 15 October.

New Zealand

For Advanced Trainees in 12-month positions:

One Supervisor’s Report is to be submitted by 31 May for the first six months of the rotation.
One Supervisor’s Report is to be submitted by 31 October covering the full 12 months.

For Advanced Trainees in three, four, or six-month positions:

One Supervisor’s Report must be completed for each rotation and submitted by 31 May (for rotations in the first half of the year) and 31 October (for rotations in the second half of the year).

Supervisor's responsibilities

The Supervisor’s Report must be completed by supervisors who have directly supervised the trainee.
If the supervisor has not directly supervised the trainee throughout the whole rotation, the supervisor should obtain individual reports from those who have directly supervised the trainee and provide a composite report.
Supervisors should discuss the report with the trainee prior to both parties signing the report, and trainees should be provided with a copy of each report.

Trainee's responsibilities

It is the trainee’s responsibility to ensure that all supervisors receive a copy of the Supervisor’s Report. Failure to do this may result in delays or non-certification of a period of training.
Trainees must provide copies of previous Supervisor's Report(s) to the next year's/rotation’s supervisor. The College may provide subsequent supervisors with copies of past reports (and any other documents deemed relevant to the trainee’s training).

Progression to the next year of training is dependent upon the College receiving satisfactory Supervisor’s Report(s) covering the full year/period of training completed.

More information

Advanced Training Progress Reports
See Additional resources for Supervisor's Report and more
Education Policies

Trainee’s Report (New Zealand only)

This report provides feedback to the College for use in future training program evaluations and to encourage you to reflect on your training rotations and embed reflection and review into your practice.

Requirement

This is a requirement for New Zealand trainees only

One per rotation (core and non-core) submitted with the Supervisor’s Report at the end of each rotation and due by 31 May/31 October.

More information

More information on Trainee’s Reports
See Additional resources for Trainee's Reports

Course overview

About work-based learning and assessment tools

Formative assessments focus on learning through feedback and guidance. The College’s formative assessments aid the trainee and supervisor through a formal feedback discussion, prompting areas for discussion highlighted by the trainee’s performance. The College’s formative assessments are based on existing workplace-based assessment methods and best practice in medical education.

Summative assessments focus on judgements about trainee progression, resulting in pass or fail decisions on a trainee’s performance.

Important dates

Australia

January - March

31 January - Previous year’s (Final) Supervisor’s Report and all PREP tools due for trainees not applying for Fellowship in December
Training Position Evaluation survey (optional)
15 February - Applications for Approval of Advanced Training due

April - June

Learning Needs Analysis self-evaluation
Mini-Clinical Evaluation Exercise
Case-based Discussion.

July - September

15 July - Supervisor’s Report due for all trainees
31 August - Applications for Approval of Advanced Training for the second half of the year due
15 September - Advanced Training Research Project submission date
Professional Qualities Reflection

October - December

15 October - Supervisor’s Report and all PREP tools due for trainees eligible for December Fellowship
Learning Needs Analysis self-evaluation
Case-based Discussion
Direct Observation of Procedural Skills.

January

31 January - Previous year’s (Final) Supervisor’s Report and all PREP tools due for trainees not applying for Fellowship in December

Training Position Evaluation survey (optional)

New Zealand

December - February

Learning Needs Analysis
Mini-Clinical Evaluation Exercise
Case-based Discussion

March - May

31 March: Applications for Approval of Advanced Training for April–August rotations due
31 May: Applications for Approval of Advanced Training for the second half of the current year due
31 May: Supervisor’s Report due for all trainees
31 May: Trainee’s Report for the first half of the year due
Learning Needs Analysis self-evaluation
Direct Observation of Procedural Skills.

June - August

Learning Needs Analysis
Case-based Discussion
Professional Qualities Reflection

September - November

15 September: Advanced Training Research Project submission date
31 October: Supervisor’s Report and all PREP tools due for all trainees
31 October: Trainee’s Report for second half of the year, or the whole year due
31 October: Applications for Approval of Advanced Training for the first half or whole of the following year due
Learning Needs Analysis self-evaluation
Mini Clinical Evaluation Exercise
Direct Observation of Procedural Skills

More information

Forms and resources

Curricula / handbooks

Program and Professional Curriculum

Gastroenterology Advanced Training Curriculum (PDF)
Professional Qualities Curriculum (PDF)

Program Handbook

Gastroenterology 2017-18 Handbook (PDF)
Gastroenterology 2019-20 Handbook (PDF)
Note: this is a PDF version of this online handbook.

Forms and reports

Supervisor’s Reports

Supervisor's Report (DOC)
Supervisor Details Amendment Form (DOC)

Trainee's Reports (New Zealand only)

Trainee's Report Cover Sheet (DOC)
Trainee's Report Guidelines (New Zealand) (DOC)

Research Project

Research Project Checklist and Planner (XLS)

Specialty societies

Specialty societies are medical/scientific societies that bring together research and clinical scientists and physicians who are actively involved in a particular area of medical practice, e.g. cardiology, geriatric medicine. The specialty societies are independent organisations that contribute to physician education through their members’ involvement in College education committees and activities.

The Gastroenterology Society of Australia (Australia)

The Gastroenterology Society of Australia is the peak professional body representing Gastroenterology physicians/paediatricians in Australia.

New Zealand Society of Gastroenterology (New Zealand)

The Gastroenterology Society of New Zealand is the peak professional body representing Gastroenterology physicians/paediatricians in New Zealand.

Gastroenterology

You are viewing the 2019-20 Handbook

Program overview

Program Updates

Entry requirements

Duration

Qualification

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