Requirements overview

Go to Additional resources for this program's curricula

Time-based requirements

This program ensures adequate time for you to gain the necessary learning experiences across a range of relevant rotations during the total training time of 3 years (36 months FTE).

Core training

A minimum of 24 months (FTE) must be spent in accredited training positions under the supervision of a geriatrician who is a Fellow of the RACP. Core training is comprised of Level A training with an optional six months of Level B training.

Non-core training

• 12 months maximum of non-core training may be certified.
• Non-core training can be undertaken in geriatric medicine, or other disciplines or research that complement core training.

No single training program will suit the training needs of every Advanced Trainee. The overseeing committee will consider individual requests to vary the requirements, and will take into consideration the trainee’s overall training program. Other clinical options may be acceptable as core or non-core training. The trainee should prospectively seek the advice of the overseeing committee.

There is a wide range of training options reflecting the diversity of practice undertaken by geriatricians. It is recommended that trainees attempt to plan their whole Advanced Training, while maintaining flexibility.

Advanced Training is differentiated from service commitments on the basis that training follows a prospectively approved training plan, in accredited settings, under the supervision of an accredited supervisor. Terms should be of adequate duration to ensure that training needs can be met - four to six months duration is recommended. Terms of three to four months will be considered, provided they form a component of a full year’s continuous program.

Terms of less than three months duration, relieving terms or night cover does not satisfy criteria for core or non-core training in Australia or New Zealand:

Training time

At least 12 months of core Advanced Training in Geriatric Medicine must be undertaken in Australia and/or New Zealand. Trainees intending to undertake training outside Australia or New Zealand should enquire about the suitability of these training positions with their overseeing committee well before applying for prospective approval of the training period.

The period of overseas training must comply with the requirements of training outlined in this handbook, including completion of workplace-based assessments and teaching and learning tools, supervision and achievement of learning objectives outlined in the program-specific and Professional Qualities Curricula. Once the committee has confirmed the suitability of the post, trainees should complete the usual application process for prospective approval of training.

There are many relief organisations where supervised clinical experience may be obtained. It is anticipated that such experience enhances trainees’ breadth and depth of knowledge, and allows experience that could not be obtained in the Australian or New Zealand teaching hospital environment. All trainees undertaking such posts should consider having an Australian or New Zealand co-supervisor with whom they communicate at least every three months.

Other requirements

It is strongly recommended that trainees complete their Advanced Training at more than one training site.

Acknowledging that the requirement to train in more than one hospital/health service may cause personal inconvenience, particularly to train in rural locations, the overseeing committee will place emphasis on the impact of such training when considering requests to vary this requirement.

Component of training	Core training Minimum 24 months	Non-core training Maximum 12 months	Specifications
Level A Geriatric Medicine under the direct clinical supervision of a geriatrician, which should include an adequate diversity of disciplines. These include but are not limited to: acute aged care, ambulatory care, community care, geriatric emergency medicine, geriatric rehabilitation, orthogeriatrics, perioperative medicine and stroke rehabilitation.	Maximum 36 months	Not applicable	Minimum 18 months The overseeing committee requires trainees to demonstrate diversity in areas of core training. Level A training exceeding 24 months in one location or under one supervisor will not be certified.
Level B Training relevant to geriatric medicine but not under the direct clinical supervision of a geriatrician. These disciplines include but are not limited to: general medicine, rehabilitation, palliative care, psychiatry of old age.	Maximum 6 months	Maximum 12 months	0–18 months Level B training exceeding six months in one discipline will not be certified as Level B but may be certified as Level C subject to the overall training program being of sufficient breadth.
Level C Other areas of relevance to geriatric medicine including research, education and other subspecialties of relevance.	Not eligible	Maximum 12 months	0–12 months

                               

Example training programs

Example 1	Example 2	Example 3
24 months Level A (core) six months Level B (core) six months Level C (non-core)	24 months Level A (core) 12 months Level C (non-core)	18 months Level A (core) 18 months Level B (six months core plus 12 months non-core).

           

Case-based Discussions (CbD) 

Learning Needs Analysis (LNA)

Mini-Clinical Evaluation Exercise (mini-CEX)

Professional Qualities Reflection (PQR)

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

One satisfactory Research Project is to be submitted 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 (for trainees who first commenced training in 2017 onwards or before 2017 with a February start date).
• Due by 15 April (for trainees who first commenced training before 2017 with an August start date).

New Zealand

• Due by 31 October.

The 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 resubmission of research projects initially marked ‘Resubmit’.

Requirement for trainees who commenced training before 2017

Two satisfactory Research Projects are due by the end of Advanced Training in Geriatric Medicine.

At least one project must be submitted and assessed as satisfactory prior to entry into the final 12 months of training in Geriatric Medicine. This refers to full months. For part-time trainees this is worked out on a pro-rata basis.

Trainees will not be certified for time spent in training in their final year prior to submission of a first satisfactory project.

Australia

• Due by 15 September (for trainees who first commenced training in 2017 onwards or before 2017 with a February start date).
• Due by 15 April (for trainees who first commenced training before 2017 with an August start date).

New Zealand

• Due by 31 October.

Project topic & Format

The project topic must have direct relevance to Geriatric Medicine and may be in the form of a case report, audit or quality assurance, research study, detailed research study proposal, literature review, contribution to an ANZSGM Position Statement or original scholarship.

Case report

• The report should be used as a clinical illustration of the topic that is the focus of the project. A higher standard of case presentation (such as a published case study that has generated novel insights relevant to Geriatric Medicine) and/or sophisticated discussion of the literature are expected.
• Only one of the two projects may be a case study.

Audit or quality assurance project

• Should identify an important clinical issue and compare the local performance against the ‘gold standard’.
• This audit/quality assurance project should identify substandard areas and make recommendations to implement improvements.
• Ideally, the audit should then be repeated to assess the success of the interventions.

Research study

• A research project is always a major task. It is vital to seek advice from a supervisor with research expertise and/or access specialist statistical advice.
• A research project may take more than one year to complete. The first step in a research project is to identify a gap in the current evidence by undertaking a literature review. Then a single primary research question is formulated to address this gap. The aims, objectives and hypotheses should be explicitly stated. Next, the methodology is designed to be both feasible and to answer the primary research question. This includes defining the population sample to be studied (including sample size, inclusion and exclusion criteria), primary outcomes and data required, and planned statistical analyses. Approval should then be obtained from the local Human Research Ethics Committee. All these steps should be completed before the study begins.
• Once the data are collected, analyses can be carried out. You should then compare the key results with other similar published research and reach conclusions relating to the original aims of the study.
• Research should be presented using the IMRD format: Introduction (why the research was done, i.e. identifying a gap in the evidence and why it is important); Methods (how the research was undertaken and the data collected); Results (reporting the details of the subjects and the outcomes of the study); and Discussion (what the results mean).

Research proposal

• If a major research project is planned, then the research proposal may be sufficient to submit as a stand-alone project.
• This should include the supporting literature review, planned methodology, data collection sheets, proposed statistical analyses and evidence of any relevant approvals (e.g. ethics committee approval).

Literature review

• This refers to a comprehensive review of the relevant current literature applied to an important focused question.
• The specific question and search strategy, including key terms, should be clearly stated (including the methodology used to find, sort, select and appraise the literature). All significant and current papers should be identified. The review should critically appraise the research and apply it to the specific question to be answered. This will include comparing and contrasting different papers and assessing their strengths and weaknesses (including discussing the characteristics of the subjects studied, methodology, outcomes and conclusions).
• Research gaps requiring further study, and important deficiencies in the published literature, should be identified.

ANZSGM Position Statements

• The role of ANZSGM Position Statements is to publicly state the Society’s attitude and approach to a core issue in Geriatric Medicine in the local context of Australia and New Zealand. Each Position Statement is authored and reviewed by experts in the relevant specialty area of Geriatric Medicine. As part of the review process, the Position Statement is sent to multiple experts and subcommittees within the ANZSGM for comment.
• Should you wish to contribute to either updating or writing a new Position Statement under the supervision of an expert, your work should be submitted in the form of a literature review with supporting materials (such as the draft Position Statement). If the purpose is to revise an existing Position Statement, then a summary of the recommended revisions should also be included, along with the literature review.

Other original scholarship

• Other project formats may be acceptable but should be discussed with a member of the ATC/NZ ATS.

Projects should be:

• between 2000-3000 words to evidence an adequate amount of work (exclusive of abstract, tables and references). Projects shouldn’t exceed 4000 words to evidence succinct scientific writing. Literature reviews may extend to 5000 words. Projects submitted with lengths outside of these limits may be penalised
• include a word count (on the cover page and again following the project title or in the abstract)
• in sound English and free of grammatical and typographical errors
• clear, succinct, logical and be written in a style suitable for publication in a scientific journal
• in a legible typeface, at least 11 point, with 1.5 line spacing
• to a standard and of a consistent method of citing literature
• PowerPoint slides from a presentation are not acceptable

Presentations

It is strongly recommended that you present your project work at local and national scientific meetings. Submissions for oral presentations at the Australian & New Zealand Society for Geriatric Medicine (ANZSGM) Annual Scientific Meeting are highly competitive so the most novel and highest quality studies are selected.

Dual trainees

Dual trainees entering training in Geriatric Medicine with retrospective approval of training in their first specialty must submit their first project in the first year of Geriatric Medicine training in order to be eligible to enter the final 12 months of training.

Projects prepared for another training program will not be accepted to satisfy the project requirements. Dual trainees should contact the Education Officer for each committee that is supervising their training if they have questions regarding the project requirements.

Advanced Trainee Contribution

You must be the main contributor of the submitted project. If you’ve worked on a larger project as part of a group, the submitted project should focus on the work you contributed. Any published work in which you’re not the first author needs to be rewritten focusing on your work. You must:

• Communicate your contribution to a project in detail, including contribution to the topic selection, study design, ethics submission, data collection, statistical analysis, interpretation of results, development of discussion and conclusions.
• Clearly state your contribution in the methods section (or in a cover letter co-signed by the supervisor). Your contribution statement can be excluded from the word count.

Submissions:

• A project submitted for another training program, a thesis or a project prepared for a higher qualification such as a Doctorate or Masters will not be accepted.
• Holding a PhD, Masters, or other postgraduate qualification does not waive any research requirements for Geriatric Medicine trainees. Original work undertaken as a component of a higher degree may be submitted, however you should seek the advice of a member of the ATC/NZ ATS before embarking on this option.

Full-time research (as a formal postgraduate research degree or not) must be prospectively approved by the ATC/NZ ATS in Geriatric Medicine as part of Advanced Training in Geriatric Medicine if the year is to be included as a component of Advanced Training in Geriatric Medicine.

Supervisor’s Role

The supervisor should:

• meet with the trainee early in the year to plan the project including selecting a topic, the proposed format and timelines for completing the project
• ensure that the planned project is feasible and of a suitable standard
• monitor progress and advise at regular intervals
• clarify access to statistical support or other infrastructure required
• review the final drafts of the project and provide constructive feedback before submission
• sign the cover sheet to indicate agreeance with the stated trainee contribution and their interaction with the project before submission

Help from a member of the ANZSGM Scientific and Research (S&R) Committee

Members of the ANZSGM Scientific and Research Committee are available to provide advice to supervisors and trainees regarding research project design and execution.

• Vasi Naganathan (NSW) vasi.naganathan@sydney.edu.au
• Jacqui Close (NSW) j.close@unsw.edu.au
• Gideon Caplan (NSW) G.Caplan@unsw.edu.au
• Louise Waite (NSW) louise.waite@sswahs.nsw.gov.au
• Martin Connolly (NZ) martin.connolly@waitematadhb.govt.nz
• Ruth Hubbard (QLD) r.hubbard1@uq.edu.au
• Robert Prowse (SA) robert.prowse@health.sa.gov.au
• Ronald Leong (VIC) r.leong@cgmc.org.au
• Chris Moran (VIC) c.moran@cgmc.org.au
• Velandi Srikanth (VIC) velandai.srikanth@med.monash.edu.au
• Leon Flicker (WA) leonflic@cyllene.uwa.edu.au
• Sean Maher (WA) Sean.Maher@health.wa.gov.au

Plagiarism

Plagiarism involves copying or paraphrasing another author’s ideas or writing, without acknowledging the source, and representing them as your own. Please use this short online quiz to check your understanding. Software and other electronic methods will be used to detect plagiarism in random audits. Strict penalties apply for breaches of academic honesty.

Submission process

Please follow the submission process on the project cover sheet for all projects, including project revisions. It is recommended that your first draft is completed at least six weeks prior to the submission deadline to allow time for your supervisor to thoroughly review the work, provide feedback and sign the cover sheet.

Project re-submissions

When submitting a project for resubmission, a covering note outlining the changes made in response to the reviewers’ comments should be included. A good way to present responses to reviewers’ comments is to summarise the responses in table form. Prepare three columns:

1. Reviewers’ comments
2. Detail about what changes were made
3. Page and paragraph details, with one separate row for each of the reviewers’ comments.

Revised projects will be reassessed by the same two markers. If a revised project is still assessed as unsatisfactory, this will be the final result and no further opportunity for revision will be offered. The trainee will still need to submit two satisfactory projects to complete their training.

Project assessment

Each project is marked independently by two reviewers. The reviewers will usually be from a different state to the trainee. Projects will be marked against the standards set out in these guidelines.

If one or both of the markers do not mark the project as satisfactory, the project will be referred to the Marking Panel who may decide to either pass or fail the project, request a third marker, or request revision of the project. It is not uncommon for a project to require revision and this should be seen as part of the learning experience. Responding to reviewers’ comments is an important skill to acquire when submitting papers for publication.

More information

• See Additional resources for the project Cover Sheet and more
• Research Projects
• Education policies
• Research Projects eLearning@RACP module

Supervisor’s Reports

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

Requirement

One Supervisor’s Report is due per rotation, two for​ 12-month rotations.

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. And 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, separate sub-specialties 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:
  You 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. And 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).
• Trainees are also required to complete the Trainee Report as part of the Supervisor’s Report. The Trainee’s Report is to provide further information to the overseeing committee regarding the rotation.​

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
• Progression through Training Policy
• See Additional resources for Supervisor’s Report Templates and more

About work-based learning and assessment tools

Formative assessments focus on learning through feedback and guidance. The College’s formative assessments aid you and your supervisor through a formal feedback discussion, prompting areas for discussion highlighted by your 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 ​your progression, resulting in pass or fail decisions on ​your performance.

Important dates

Australia

January - March

• 31 January: Previous year’s Supervisor’s Report and all PREP tools due for trainees not applying for Fellowship in December
• 15 February: Applications for Approval of Advanced Training due
• Case-based Discussion
• Learning Needs Analysis
• Mini-Clinical Evaluation Exercise
• Professional Qualities Reflection

April - June

• 15 April: Research projects for trainees who first commenced training before 2017 with an August start date due
• Case-based Discussion
• Learning Needs Analysis
• Mini-Clinical Evaluation Exercise

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: Research projects for trainees who first commenced training before 2017 with a February start date and for all trainees who commenced training in 2017 onwards due
• Case-based Discussion
• Learning Needs Analysis
• mini-Clinical Evaluation Exercise
• Professional Qualities Reflection

October - December

• 15 October: Supervisor’s Report and all PREP tools due for trainees eligible for December Fellowship
• Learning Needs Analysis
• Case-based Discussion
• Professional Qualities Reflection 

New Zealand

December–February

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

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

June–August

• Case-based Discussion
• Learning Needs Analysis
• Mini-Clinical Evaluation Exercise
• Professional Qualities Reflection

September–November

• 31 October: Supervisor’s Report due for all trainees
• 31 October: Research projects due
• 31 October: Applications for Approval of Advanced Training for the first half or whole of the following year due
• Case-based Discussion
• Learning Needs Analysis
• Mini-Clinical Evaluation Exercise