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Respiratory Medicine & Sleep Medicine

Interim changes to program requirements

Interim requirements for all trainees are listed under training requirements in this handbook. This follows a review by the Advanced Training Committee in Respiratory and Sleep Medicine and Aotearoa New Zealand Advanced Training Subcommittee in Respiratory and Sleep Medicine.

You're expected to satisfactorily complete the 2022 training program requirements where possible. If you’re unable to complete training program requirements due to COVID-19, see education and training principles and advise your Training Committee as soon as possible.

The interim changes made are to provide flexibility and support to trainees who have been affected by COVID-19. See COVID-19 FAQs and education and training changes for additional information.

You're viewing the 2022 Handbook

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

Program overview

In Advanced Training in Respiratory Medicine and Sleep Medicine, you’ll explore a depth of specialty training in the diseases of the respiratory system and the investigation and management of patients with sleep disorders. You will train under supervision and prepare for independent practice as a consultant. The program builds on your skills through work-based learning and assessment tools.

Program updates

See announced interim changes to program requirements due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Advanced Training in Respiratory Medicine and Sleep Medicine Program is evaluated biennially by its Advanced Training Committee (ATC) in Respiratory Medicine and Sleep Medicine and the Aotearoa New Zealand Advanced Training Subcommittee (ATS) in Respiratory Medicine and Sleep Medicine to ensure that it’s in line with educational best practice. Changes in program requirements may occur and could impact your training plan. The College will provide sufficient notice prior to implementing any change. You must always ensure you’re following the correct requirements during your training.

Entry requirements

Prospective trainees must have:

completed RACP Basic Training, including Written and Clinical Examinations
a current medical registration
been appointed to an appropriate Advanced Training position

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

Duration

Advanced Training in Respiratory Medicine and Sleep Medicine requires 3 years (36 months) of full-time equivalent (FTE) training.

Fellowship

Once you've completed all requirements of your training under one of the following pathways, and the ATC/ATS in Respiratory Medicine and Sleep Medicine has recommended you for admission, the College will invite you to apply for Fellowship of the Royal Australasian College of Physicians.

Advanced Training in Respiratory Medicine	Advanced Training in Sleep Medicine	Dual Training in Respiratory Medicine and Sleep Medicine
36 months of certified training time consisting of: 24 months core respiratory medicine training 12 months non-core training RACP post-nominal FRACP in Respiratory and Sleep Medicine — Respiratory Medicine only	36 months of certified training time consisting of: 24 months core sleep medicine training 12 months non-core training RACP post-nominal FRACP in Respiratory and Sleep Medicine — Sleep Medicine only	36 months of certified training time consisting of: 24 months core respiratory medicine training 12 months core sleep medicine training RACP post-nominal FRACP in Respiratory and Sleep Medicine

See Becoming a Fellow for information on admission to Fellowship.

As a Fellow in active practice in Australia, Aotearoa New Zealand or overseas, you’ll need to meet the annual requirements of the Continuing Professional Development program.

Apply or re-register

Australia

Australian trainees can complete their registration online.

Apply online

If the online application is closed, email an application form (DOC) to respiratorysleep@racp.edu.au

Aotearoa New Zealand

Aotearoa New Zealand trainees must email an application form (DOC) to respiratorysleep@racp.org.nz

Application deadlines

Australia

15 February | first half or whole of the current year

31 August | second half of the current year

Aotearoa New Zealand

15 December | first half or whole of the following year

30 April | May to August rotations

30 June | second half of the current year

You're responsible for organising all necessary documentation for submission by the deadline. We recommend that you keep a copy of your application for future reference.

See program key dates for trainees and supervisors.

Late applications

Late applications will be considered up to 1 month after the deadline.

Applications received 1 month after the deadline won’t be considered unless exceptional circumstances can be demonstrated in line with the Special Considerations for Assessment Policy.

Late applications may incur a fee.

Late fees won't apply if supervisor approval is pending after the deadline.

Fees

The standard annual membership fees apply.

Visit MyRACP to pay or view previous training program payments.

About your training position

Core training must be undertaken at accredited settings.

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

The College is not involved in the recruitment and selection of trainees. Our role is to set and monitor standards for selection and provide advice to settings and their selection committees.

Training approval and certification

Approval of training periods are determined by the Advanced Training Committee (ATC) in Respiratory Medicine and Sleep Medicine and the Aotearoa New Zealand Advanced Training Subcommittee (ATS) in Respiratory Medicine and Sleep Medicine. To be approved, your individual training program must be consistent with the training requirements and appropriate for the stage of training you have reached.

Upon completion of each rotation or calendar year of training, the ATC/ATS reviews your progress according to the training requirements. If you have satisfactorily completed all training requirements, the ATC/ATS will certify that training period.

Training variations

See variations in training for processes covering dual, joint, conjoint and post-Fellowship training.

See flexible training options for information on part-time training, interruptions to training, withdrawing from training and time limits.

Post-Fellowship sleep medicine trainees

Sleep Medicine trainees who already hold RACP Fellowship should follow the variations in training process and these guidelines to ensure that appropriate training is undertaken.

Part-time training must be at a minimum load of 0.4 EFT as per the Flexible Training Policy.
Training must be provided at a sleep medicine accredited training site and within the site accreditation allocation.
Training positions must include a combination of supervised sleep medicine clinics, lab-based experience, inpatient management including management of respiratory failure, and attendance at sleep-specific educational meetings.
Trainees must have 2 supervisors who are sleep medicine physicians.
Trainees must submit a Logbook of Procedures and all work-based learning and assessment tools.
All lab work requirements, including setups, staging and scoring and reporting, need to be completed during the accredited training period in sleep medicine.
Post-Fellowship training requirements are the same as those trainees without Fellowship in terms of case load, numbers of studies reported, set ups and educational presentations, which need to be completed during their training time in sleep medicine.
Time spent in private practice seeing patients with sleep disorders won’t be considered as part of sleep medicine training unless the clinic is accredited for the provision of sleep medicine training.

Rotation or supervision changes

Changes to your rotation require you to re-submit an application form (if online registration is closed) to your training committee as soon as possible. This includes any changes to sites, dates of rotations and flexible training arrangements.

Change to your supervision must be notified as soon as possible by submitting a Supervisor Details Amendment Form (DOC).

Some changes may require a review of the approval decision and can affect the certification of your training.

More information

Overseas specialists
Trainee responsibilities

Training requirements

At the end of your Advanced Training in Respiratory Medicine and Sleep Medicine, you’ll have completed 36 months of certified training time consisting of work-based learning and assessment tools.

The PREP 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.

See forms and resources for the training program curricula.

Requirements overview

Core training
(24 months minimum)

Supervision

1 x supervisor per rotation, who must be a Fellow of the RACP and a practising respiratory and/or sleep physician

1 x supervisor per rotation, who must be a Fellow of the RACP and ideally a practising respiratory and/or sleep physician

Teaching and learning

2 x Learning Needs Analysis per training year

1 x Professional Qualities Reflection per training year

Assessments

3 x Case-based Discussions per training year

4 x Direct Observation of Procedural Skills per training year

3 x Mini-Clinical Evaluation Exercises per training year

1 x Supervisor’s Report per rotation (2 x 12-month minimum — full-time and part-time trainees)

Non-core training
(12 months maximum)

Supervision

1 x supervisor per rotation, who must be a Fellow of the RACP

1 x supervisor per rotation, who can be a Fellow of the RACP or other medical college appropriate to the rotation

Teaching and learning

2 x Learning Needs Analysis per training year

1 x Professional Qualities Reflection per training year

Assessment

3 x Case-based Discussions per training year

4 x Direct Observation of Procedural Skills per training year

3 x Mini-Clinical Evaluation Exercises per training year

1 x Supervisor’s Report per rotation (2 x 12-month minimum — full-time and part-time trainees)

Advanced Training summary

Respiratory Medicine

After 36 months of certified training time, you will have completed:

24 months minimum of core respiratory medicine training
12 months of non-core training
1 x Logbook
Meeting attendance (national or international scientific meetings)
1 x Advanced Training Research Project (Aotearoa NZ trainees who commenced in 2017 onwards and Australian trainees who commenced in 2019 onwards)
1 x Respiratory Medicine Research Project (Australian trainees who commenced before 2019 and Aotearoa NZ trainees who commenced before 2017)
Developmental and Psychosocial Training (Paediatric & Child Health trainees only)^*

After completion of Advanced Training in Respiratory Medicine you will receive FRACP in Respiratory and Sleep Medicine — Respiratory Medicine only.

^*Development and Psychosocial Training doesn’t count towards non-core training.

Sleep Medicine

After 36 months of certified training time, you will have completed:

24 months minimum of core sleep medicine training^*
12 months of non-core training
1 x Logbook
Meeting attendance (national or international scientific meetings)
1 x Advanced Training Research Project (Aotearoa NZ trainees who commenced in 2017 onwards and Australian trainees who commenced in 2019 onwards)
1 x Sleep Medicine Research Project (Australian trainees who commenced before 2019 and Aotearoa NZ trainees who commenced before 2017)
Developmental and Psychosocial Training (Paediatric & Child Health trainees only)^{^}

After completion of Advanced Training in Sleep Medicine you will receive FRACP in Respiratory and Sleep Medicine — Sleep Medicine only.

^* Time in (unsupervised) private practice will no longer be considered for core sleep medicine training (trainees who commenced in 2022 onwards).
^{^} Development and Psychosocial Training doesn’t count towards non-core training.

Dual training in Respiratory and Sleep Medicine

After 36 months of certified training time, you will have completed:

24 months of core respiratory medicine training
12 months of core sleep medicine training^*
2 x Logbooks:
- 1 x Respiratory Medicine logbook
- 1 x Sleep Medicine logbook
Meeting attendance (national or international scientific meetings)
1 x Advanced Training Research Project (Aotearoa NZ trainees who commenced in 2017 onwards and Australian trainees who commenced in 2019 onwards)
1 x Respiratory Medicine Research Project (Australian trainees who commenced before 2019 and Aotearoa NZ trainees who commenced before 2017)
1 x Sleep Medicine Research Project (Australian trainees who commenced before 2019 and Aotearoa NZ trainees who commenced before 2017)
Developmental and Psychosocial Training (Paediatric & Child Health trainees only)^{^}

After completion of Dual training in Respiratory and Sleep Medicine you will receive FRACP in Respiratory and Sleep Medicine.

Program key dates

Australia

January – March

31 January | Previous year’s Supervisor’s Report and all PREP learning and assessment tools due (trainees not applying for Fellowship in December)
15 February | Applications for Approval of Advanced Training for the first half or whole of the current year due
Direct Observation of Procedural Skills
Learning Needs Analysis
Professional Qualities Reflection

April – June

Case-based Discussion
Direct Observation of Procedural Skills
Learning Needs Analysis self-evaluation
Mini-Clinical Evaluation Exercise

July – September

15 July | Supervisor’s Report due
31 August | Applications for Approval of Advanced Training for the second half of the year due
Case-based Discussion
Direct Observation of Procedural Skills
Learning Needs Analysis
Mini-Clinical Evaluation Exercise

October – December

15 October | Supervisor’s Report and all PREP tools due (trainees eligible for Fellowship in December)
Case-based Discussion
Direct Observation of Procedural Skills
Learning Needs Analysis self-evaluation
Mini-Clinical Evaluation Exercise

Aotearoa New Zealand

December — February

15 December | Applications for Approval of Advanced Training for the first half or whole of the following year due
15 December | Supervisor’s Report and all PREP tools due
Direct Observation of Procedural Skills
Learning Needs Analysis
Mini-Clinical Evaluation Exercise
Professional Qualities Reflection

March — May

30 April | Applications for Approval of Advanced Training for May to August rotations due
Case-based Discussion
Direct Observation of Procedural Skill
Learning Needs Analysis self-evaluation
Mini-Clinical Evaluation Exercise

June — August

30 June | Applications for Approval of Advanced Training for the second half of the current year due
30 June | Supervisor’s Report due
Case-based Discussion
Direct Observation of Procedural Skills
Learning Needs Analysis
Mini-Clinical Evaluation Exercise

September — November

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

2023-24 program updates

In your 2023 and 2024 training year, these requirement changes will apply.

Work-based learning and assessment requirements

Cultural Competence
2022	2023-24
N/A	Trainees commencing 2023 onwards Complete the Cultural Competence and Cultural Safety module before the end of your Advanced Training^* ^* If not already completed during Basic Training.

Logbook
2022	2023-24
Your logbook must be submitted for review at the end of each training year along with a Supervisor's Report.	Your logbook must be submitted for review twice per training year along with a Supervisor's Report.

Time-based requirements

Training rotations

The Advanced Training Program in Respiratory Medicine and Sleep Medicine allows adequate time for you to gain the necessary learning experiences across a range of relevant rotations during your 3-year total training period (36 months FTE).

Specialty	Core training	Non-core training
Respiratory Medicine	24 months minimum in core respiratory medicine	12 months maximum
Sleep Medicine	24 months minimum in core sleep medicine^*	12 months maximum
Dual training in Respiratory Medicine and Sleep Medicine	24 months core respiratory medicine	N/A
Dual training in Respiratory Medicine and Sleep Medicine	12 months core sleep medicine^*	N/A
Post-Fellowship sleep medicine training (for respiratory medicine Fellows)	12 months core sleep medicine^*	N/A

^* Time in (unsupervised) private practice will no longer be considered for core sleep medicine training (trainees who commenced in 2022 onwards).

Core training

All of your core training must be spent in accredited clinical training positions.

As part of your 24 months core respiratory medicine training, you must develop knowledge and skills in the following areas:

Education:

anatomy and physiology of the upper airway and respiratory muscles
physiology of respiratory control mechanisms, respiratory failure
sleep-related breathing disorders

Polysomnography — indications, interpretation of a written sleep study report
Oxygen therapy
CPAP — indications, implementation, assessment of response and troubleshooting
Acute non-invasive ventilation:

indications
implementation
assessment of response
management of complications
weaning

All aspects of the management of patients requiring inpatient NIV or CPAP implementation for ventilatory failure and sleep related hypoventilation
Initiation and titration of NIV for acute hypercapnoic respiratory failure

The Advanced Training Committee (ATC) or Advanced Training Subcommittee (ATS) in Respiratory Medicine and Sleep Medicine will not consider overseas-based core training for certification as the quality of the training cannot be guaranteed.

Intensive care medicine does not counts towards core training.

Non-core training

Non-core training can be undertaken in related clinical medicine, respiratory research or laboratory work.

The following areas are recommended for complementary training are:

sleep medicine
respiratory or sleep research
clinical respiratory or sleep physiology
overseas training in respiratory medicine
intensive care medicine

Training in research is strongly encouraged during your non-core training period, with ongoing contact with a respiratory supervisor required.

Selecting other specialty areas will require you demonstrating an appropriate case mix that is relevant to respiratory medicine and appropriate clinical rotations. Areas considered suitable for a non-core training period in respiratory medicine are:

general and acute care medicine
infectious diseases
intensive care
clinical allergy/immunology
cardiology
indigenous health and rural medicine
oncology and palliative medicine
clinical pharmacology

For non-core training in Sleep Medicine, rotations will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Examples of rotations that may be accepted as non-core include Neurology, Psychology and Respiratory Medicine.

When considering programs for non-core training, you’re advised to contact the ATC/ATS regarding your proposed non-core program and seek advice prior to accepting any clinical position.

Generally, non-core training should be prospectively approved by the Committee before you commence the year of training. Retrospective approval of non-core training is rarely granted.

Developmental and Psychosocial Training doesn’t count towards your non-core training.

Certification of any non-core training will be deferred until you’ve completed 12 months core training.

Dual training

Respiratory Medicine and General and Acute Care Medicine

Trainees are able to complete dual training in Respiratory Medicine and General and Acute Care Medicine over a 4-year program: 2 years of core respiratory medicine training and 2 years of general and acute care medicine training.

In order to meet training requirements, 2 years of general and acute care medicine training is generally suitable for approval by the ATC as 6 months of non-core training per year. This allows the 2 years of general and acute care medicine training to be approved as 12 months of non-core respiratory medicine training.

For trainees completing a dual training program with Advanced Training in General and Acute Care Medicine, non-core training will not be certified until the 4-year program has been completed, resulting in 24 months of core respiratory medicine and 24 months of core general and acute care medicine.

Training time

Your 24 months minimum of core training in respiratory or sleep medicine must be undertaken in Australia and/or Aotearoa New Zealand to ensure that you receive adequate exposure to local practices and health services.

COVID-19 interim changes

Interim requirement changes apply from the start of the 2022 clinical year. Training Committees will review requirements as required.

Australia

Time-based requirements

Respiratory Medicine
Current requirement	Interim change requirement
24 months of core respiratory medicine training 12 months of non-core training	Certified training time Trainees working in a COVID-19 team or ward for up to 2 months in a 12-month rotation, or up to 1 month in a 6-month rotation, can have that training considered as core respiratory training. Time periods in excess of this may be considered on a case-by-case basis depending on the nature of the work involved in the COVID attachment and the degree to which the prospectively approved program has been disrupted. The overall certification decision will be informed by your Supervisor’s Report, which will include an assessment of competency. Accredited site time limits It’s accepted that some training settings may exceed the maximum number of trainees accredited on a temporary basis due to the impact of COVID-19 on staffing. Trainees at training settings accredited for a maximum of 6 or 12 months of core training will be allowed to exceed the maximum accredited time at that site by up to 1 month. Trainees who have exceeded the maximum accredited time for longer than this will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
Eligibility
All trainees in 2022.
How to apply
Submit a Respiratory Medicine and Sleep Medicine Rotation Amendment Form (DOC). Indicate in your Supervisor’s Report how you have been impacted. The Advanced Training Committee (ATC) will take into account these documents when considering your certification of training.

Sleep Medicine
Current requirement	Interim change requirement
24 months of core sleep medicine training 12 months of non-core training	Certified training time Trainees who have been redeployed from their original Sleep Medicine-approved training positions for up to 2 months in a 12-month rotation, or up to 1 month in a 6-month rotation, may still have the entire approved training period considered for certification. The overall certification decision will be informed by the Supervisor’s Report, which will include an assessment of competency. Accredited site time limits It’s accepted that some training settings may exceed the maximum number of trainees accredited on a temporary basis due to the impact of COVID-19 on staffing. Trainees at training settings accredited for a maximum of 6 or 12 months of core training will be allowed to exceed the maximum accredited time at that site by up to 1 month. Trainees who have been exceeded the maximum accredited time for longer than this will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
Eligibility
All trainees in 2022.
How to apply
Submit a Respiratory Medicine and Sleep Medicine Rotation Amendment Form (DOC). Indicate in your Supervisor’s Report how you have been impacted. The ATC will take into account these documents when considering your certification of training.

Dual Respiratory Medicine and Sleep Medicine
Current requirement	Interim change requirement
24 months of core respiratory medicine training 12 months of core sleep medicine training	Certified training time Trainees working in a COVID-19 team or ward for up to 2 months in a 12-month rotation, or up to 1 month in a 6-month rotation, can have that training considered as core respiratory/core sleep medicine training. Time periods in excess of this may be considered on a case-by-case basis depending on the nature of the work involved in the COVID attachment and the degree to which the prospectively approved program has been disrupted. The overall certification decision will be informed by your Supervisor’s Report, which will include an assessment of competency. Accredited site time limits It’s accepted that some training settings may exceed the maximum number of trainees accredited on a temporary basis due to the impact of COVID-19 on staffing. Trainees at training settings accredited for a maximum of 6 or 12 months of core training will be allowed to exceed the maximum accredited time at that site by up to 1 month. Trainees who have exceeded the maximum accredited time for longer than this will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
Eligibility
All trainees in 2022.
How to apply
Submit a Respiratory Medicine and Sleep Medicine Rotation Amendment Form (DOC). Indicate in your Supervisor’s Report how you have been impacted. The ATC will take into account these documents when considering your certification of training.

Work-based learning and assessment requirements

Logbook
Respiratory Logbook
Current requirement	Interim change requirement
1 x Logbook over the course of training Note: Dual trainees completing respiratory medicine and sleep medicine training need to complete a Sleep Logbook as well.	The Respiratory Logbook is not a summative assessment. The logbook numbers outlined in the handbook are a guide rather than an exact requirement in assessing progression. The overall certification decision will be informed by competency as indicated in the Supervisor’s Report.
Eligibility
All trainees in 2022.
Sleep Logbook
Current requirement	Interim change requirement
1 x Logbook over the course of training Note: Dual trainees completing respiratory medicine and sleep medicine training need to complete a Respiratory Logbook as well.	The Sleep Logbook is not a summative assessment. The logbook numbers outlined in the handbook are a guide rather than an exact requirement in assessing progression. We recommend trainees rescore and report existing sleep studies if there is insufficient current work. The overall certification decision will be informed by competency as indicated in the Supervisor’s Report.
Eligibility
All trainees in 2022.

Leave allowances

In 2022, up to 14 days of leave related to COVID-19 for quarantine or sickness can be taken.

If you exceed your 14-day COVID-19 leave allowance, and it impacts your progression, you can apply to the ATC for special consideration.

Requests for special consideration are considered by the Committee COVID-19 Lead on a case-by-case basis.

How to apply

Submit an application for special consideration (DOC) with supporting evidence from your employer, GP and/or other relevant medical practitioners.

Your ATC will take into account this documentation when considering your certification of training.

Aotearoa New Zealand

Leave allowances

In 2022, up to 14 days of leave related to COVID-19 for quarantine or sickness can be taken.

If you exceed your 14-day COVID-19 leave allowance, and it impacts your progression, you can apply to the Advanced Training Subcommittee (ATS) for special consideration.

Requests for special consideration are considered by the Subcommittee COVID-19 Lead on a case-by-case basis.

How to apply

Submit an application for special consideration (DOC) with supporting evidence from your employer, GP and/or other relevant medical practitioners.

Your ATS will take into account this documentation when considering your certification of training.

Work-based learning and assessment requirements

A work-based learning and assessment tool requirement stipulates what you must achieve as part of your training program.

Type of assessment

Formative: Focuses on learning through feedback and guidance, assisting trainees and supervisors through the formal feedback process, which should prompt discussion of or highlight areas of a trainee’s performance. Assessments are based on existing workplace-based assessment methods and are best practice in medical education.

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

Advanced Training Research Project

Requirement for Aotearoa New Zealand trainees who commenced in 2017 onwards and Australian trainees who commenced in 2019 onwards

Open all

Overview

The Advanced Training Research Project (ATRP) is a report on a project that you have had significant involvement in designing, conducting of research and analysis of data. It enables you to gain experience in:

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

ATRPs are not required to be specialty-specific but must be broadly relevant to your area of specialty. ‘Broadly relevant’ is defined as topics that can enhance, complement and inform your practice in the chosen specialty.

The ATRP, introduced to most trainees who commenced after 2017, addresses wide variations in purpose, type, quantity and assessment criteria across the RACP Training Programs. An ATRP submission provides evidence of the skills of:

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

The ATRP requirement must be undertaken and completed during your Advanced Training. If you are dual training, you only need to complete one ATRP over the course of Advanced Training.

Review your training program requirements to confirm whether there are any additional research requirements beyond completing your ATRP.

Recognition of Prior Learning

You can apply for a Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) exemption from the ATRP requirement if you can demonstrate that you’ve successfully completed an approved exemption. This can include:

research doctoral degree, like MD or PhD
Masters by research
major project completed through a Masters by coursework

An ATRP completed through Masters by coursework must meet project type requirements and be submitted for marking according to the marking process.

Recognition of all project exemptions completed prior to entry into training are considered in accordance with our Recognition of Prior Learning Policy.

Exemptions completed during your Advanced Training Program will be assessed for suitability against the ATRP guidelines and marking criteria.

Applying

You must apply for RPL within 3 months of commencing your first rotation in your Advanced Training Program.

Your Advanced Training Committee or Subcommittee, which reviews all RPL applications, will contact you about the outcome.

In the case where your PhD is in progress or incomplete, you can:

submit your PhD upon completion for RPL consideration, or
partially submit your PhD for RPL consideration if it meets one of the acceptable research project types, such as systematic review

Again, in this instance you need to apply within 3 months of commencing your rotation.

All RPL applications are reviewed on a case-by-case basis. Exemption is granted only when the evidence presented fulfils the relevant ATRP requirements, separate to whether your research or coursework is relevant to your current specialty.

All supporting documentation relevant to your RPL application must be reviewed by project markers to allow project exemptions.

Requirements

Requirement

1 x Advanced Training Research Project to be completed in any year before the end of Advanced Training.

Deadlines

Australia: 15 September.

Aotearoa New Zealand: 15 December.

It's recommended that you submit your research project by the annual submission date in your penultimate year to allow time for marking and/or resubmission if your project is initially marked as 'resubmit'.

Resources

Advanced Training Research Project cover sheet (DOC)

Accepted project formats

Three research project types are accepted:

research in:
- human subjects, populations and communities and laboratory research
- epidemiology
- field research
- medical education
audit
systematic review

Additional project formats may be considered provided they meet the Advanced Training Research Project (ATRP) guidelines and marking criteria. Trainees and supervisors seeking additional format approval need to provide justification as to how the project submission meets the criteria.

Research in human subjects, populations and communities or laboratory research

This project type also includes epidemiology, field research and medical education research.

Step-by-step: Research in human subjects, populations and communities or laboratory research

1. General preparation

Identify a supervisor and review the ATRP guidelines.
Develop skills in scientific writing to apply for grant support, publish scientific and medical papers.

2. Identify the problem and formulate research questions

Consider and define a health-related problem.
Review, analyse and synthesise evidence related to the existing literature, or your current practice, to identify research gaps and formulate research questions or hypotheses.

3. Develop the research design

Convert information needs into answerable questions and clearly identify the specific aims of a study designed to address the question.
Identify an appropriate research method and techniques.
Identify the ethical issues arising from conduct of the study.
Obtain ethics approval from the appropriate body, if required.

4. Collect or identify data to achieve the study objectives

Apply quantitative or qualitative methods.

5. Write up research

Appraise and synthesise the research findings in consideration of the research objectives and hypotheses.
Set findings within the context of the wider literature on the topic.
Apply the results of the study to practice.
Demonstrate effective and succinct written communication.
Outline how research should and could contribute to the practice of evidence-based medicine.
Assess strengths, weaknesses and limitations of the research project.
Reference using a consistent style.

6. Self-reflection

Evaluate your performance.
Discuss your performance with your supervisor — consider any issues that arose during the research project and how the findings might change your practice.

Audit

An audit project aims to assess, evaluate and improve the quality of healthcare through the systematic review of practice. A specific component of practice to be reviewed is identified and local performance is assessed against specific criteria in relation to the gold standard.

An audit will identify substandard areas and develop recommendations for implementation, based on a succinct review of the literature. The audit should then be repeated to assess the success of the interventions. AT Research Project audit diagram

If a repeated audit isn’t possible due to time constraints, then a plan for implementing, measuring and sustaining improvements must be presented.

Your audit should be of an area of interest to you. Look at opportunities to audit a novel project or program within your training setting.

The size of your audit is dependent on the topic and nature of the audit undertaken. The presentation of the audit must adhere to the standards for presentation of research, including the suggested word count.

You must demonstrate a clear understanding of the audit cycle, with evidence of how your work will lead to an improvement in clinical practice.

Step-by-step: Audit

Follow the paradigm of ‘joined-up research’, which begins by assessing a problem, moving on to implementing change and completing the circle by evaluating change over an appropriate period.

1. Identify a topic that is important to audit.

2. Review the literature and other relevant information to determine standards against which to audit.

3. Develop audit criteria that will measure performance against the agreed standard.

4. Collect and analyse data and report results.

5. Reflect on results and develop improvement plan.

6. Implement improvement plan.

7. Repeat data collection to measure improvement.

Systematic review

A systematic review is a method of critically appraising bodies of research studies with a high level of rigour. Systematic reviews are different to narrative reviews and expert commentaries because they use a well-defined protocol to ensure high coverage of all relevant information and can be replicated easily. A standard, published protocol, such as the PRISMA guidelines could be used.

For ATRPs, the systematic review should be conducted in an area of relevance of your practice.

Step-by-step: Systematic review

1. Define the review question and rationale behind question.

2. Develop inclusion and exclusion criteria for including studies, search for studies and explain search syntax, define search strategy — for example a brief description of PICO, identify and defend databases searched.

3. Assess study quality.

4. Select studies and collect data.

5. Assess risk of bias of included studies.

6. Analyse data.

7. Interpret results and draw conclusions.

Resources

RACP Online Learning Resource: Research Project

Presentation guidelines

You're encouraged to present your Advanced Training Research Project (ATRP) orally at hospital, state or national meetings and submit your work for publication in an appropriate peer-reviewed journal. It should meet the requirements of that journal and instructions to authors for the journal should be submitted with the ATRP.

The ATRP word limit should be appropriate to the study type:

quantitative research | up to 3500 words
qualitative research | up to 5000 words

You must comply with the Academic Integrity in Training Policy.

Your ATRP presentation should contain:

1. Abstract | approx 10% of word count

concise summary of the background, aims, methods, results and conclusions

2. Introduction

discussion and placement of the research in context of published literature
critique of literature if there are alternative views

3. Aims

define the research aim, questions and hypotheses

4. Methodology

describe the methods used in enough detail to allow it to be replicated

5. Statistical analysis

perform appropriate statistical analysis of the data

6. Results

present the results in figure and tabular format to the standard of published literature
include figure and table legends with a brief description of your data and statistical analysis

7. Discussion

discuss and interpret the results
discuss the results in context of published literature - for example, do your results support or disagree with published literature and do they enhance what is already published?
consider the limitations of the study

8. Conclusion

brief conclusion of the research
potential project improvements if you were to repeat the study
future steps/directions

9. Reference list

Resources

RACP Online Learning Resource: Research Project
Research Project checklist and planner (XLS)

Submission guidelines

When electronically submitting your Advanced Training Research Project (ATRP), you’re to provide:

an Advanced Training Research Project cover sheet (DOC)
Turnitin similarity report

The Turnitin submission and reporting process is outlined in the project cover sheet.

Email your research project submission to Research.Project@racp.edu.au

About Turnitin

Turnitin is an originality and plagiarism detection tool, which compares projects against electronic texts from the Internet, published works and assignments previously submitted to Turnitin by other users.

The similarity report you’re to obtain from Turnitin provides you the opportunity to make any changes prior to submitting your project to the College for marking.

An updated similarity report must be submitted with the project if changes are made. If an updated report isn’t submitted, the College will obtain a report on your behalf and you won’t have the opportunity to make changes.

Find out more about Turnitin detection tool.

For most Advanced Training Programs, submission of your research project is due by your second last year of training to ensure enough time for marking the project and the opportunity to resubmit if required. Refer to the requirements for submission dates.

To request an extension, contact your specialty’s Education Officer.

If you don’t meet the prescribed deadline, it could delay your progression of training, or if you are near the end of training, it can delay your admission to Fellowship. It’s important to plan early and submit your project as soon as possible.

Resources

Advanced Training Research Project cover sheet (DOC)
Advanced Training Research Project marking criteria (DOC)
Research Project checklist and planner (XLS)

Marking outcomes

Research projects are independently marked by 2 assessors using the Advanced Training Research Project marking criteria (DOC) common to all Advanced Training Programs.

In the case that the assessors cannot reach agreement, the research project is sent to a third assessor who will determine an outcome.

There are 3 grading outcomes that a project reviewer can make:

Pass — meets expected standard, below expected standard in no more than 1 criterion
Resubmit — 2 or more areas below the expected standard
Fail — doesn’t meet any of the criteria for a research project

You’ll receive the outcome of your project within approximately 8 to 12 weeks of submission to the College. Delays in receiving project outcomes can happen between September and January, when the majority of project submissions are expected to occur.

If your project is marked as ‘resubmit’, you’ll have 2 more opportunities to resubmit the same project to assessors with revisions. If you’re dissatisfied with the outcome following 2 resubmissions, you can request for 2 new assessors to mark the project.

You can also request 2 new assessors to mark your project if it’s marked as a ‘fail’ in the first instance. Note: you will incur a fee for any additional marking.

In this stage of marking, there are only 2 marking outcomes new assessors can provide — ‘pass’ or ‘fail’. If your project is marked as a ‘fail’ by the 2 new assessors, you cannot resubmit again and will need to complete a substantially new project to meet your ATRP requirement.

Resources

Advanced Training Research Project marking criteria (DOC)

Project supervisor's role

Your research project supervisor guides you with your project choice, method, data analysis and interpretation, and quality of written and oral presentation.

A project supervisor requires specific skills and experience and likely won't be your training rotation supervisor. To find an appropriate supervisor:

explore the work of notable researchers in your hospital or network who may be able to help you find suitable potential project supervisors
ask your training rotation supervisor for advice, relevant contacts or to direct you to another colleague who can
attend research groups or events held at your hospital to get ideas, meet research supervisors and network with trainees

These steps are important if you’re at a small training site with limited research opportunities.

If you end up with a project supervisor and a training rotation supervisor, clear communication between both supervisors is important so that they’re both aware of your progress in your research project work.

A project supervisor should:

familiarise themselves with the guidelines and marking standards
recommend colleagues to assist with supervision, if necessary
meet with you early in the period of supervision to clarify the research project goals and requirements
consider and provide feedback regarding the merits of the proposed research project early in the process
ensure that your planned research project is feasible and of a suitable standard
review the feasibility of your developed project timeline
clarify access to statistical support or other resources required
monitor progress at regular intervals
review the research project prior to submission, ensuring it’s of an acceptable standard
support you to find a forum to present the research project
approve the research project prior to submission to indicate that the proportion of work attributed you is correct

When selecting a research project supervisor, choose someone who:

aligns with your goals
is an expert in the area of your research
is available for regular meetings or other correspondence
is interested in providing mentorship and guidance on the project
is interested in the topic of the proposal
provides constructive criticism on completed work, such as abstracts and academic writing
enjoys sharing knowledge, such as laboratory or technical skills, academic research and writing skills
is experienced supervising research students

You should establish manageable expectations and practice open and clear communication with your research project supervisor from the beginning.

Resources

RACP Online Learning Resource: Research Project

Case-based Discussion

Open all

Overview

A Case-based Discussion (CbD) is a work-based assessment and Advanced Training Program requirement used to evaluate your professional judgement in clinical cases.

A CbD involves a comprehensive review of a clinical case or cases between you and an assessor. After the CbD, the assessor provides constructive feedback to help you improve and structure your future learning.

The CbD aims to:

guide your learning through structured feedback
improve clinical decision making, clinical knowledge and patient management
provide you with an opportunity to discuss their approach to the case and identify strategies to improve your practice
enable your assessor to share their professional knowledge and experience

An assessor can choose any case or cases where you'll play a significant role in clinical decision-making and patient management. The discussion should reflect your level of experience and be linked to your Advanced Training Curriculum.

The discussion may focus on a single complex case or a series of cases covering a wide range of clinical areas. Areas may include:

record keeping
history taking
clinical findings and interpretation
management plan
follow-up and future planning

Step-by-step: Case-based Discussion

Arrange a CbD with your assessor.

Your assessor will choose an appropriate case or cases.

Confirm the chosen case or cases with your assessor.

Provide your assessor with a CbD rating form (PDF).

Discuss the case or cases with your assessor – allow for at least 30 minutes.
Note: Your assessor will be making notes and ratings on the CbD rating form during this discussion.

Your assessor provides you feedback following your CbD – allow for at least 10 minutes.

You and your assessor sign the CbD rating form.

Enter the data from your completed CbD form into the online CbD tool via your relevant training portal:
Advanced Training Portal | AFRM Portal | AFPHM Portal | AFOEM Portal

Submit a copy of your completed form to your assessor through the online CbD tool in your training portal.

Requirements

Requirement

3 x Case-based Discussions (CbD) minimum to be completed each training year (at least 1 per 6-month period)

Deadlines

Australia: 31 January in the following year.

Aotearoa New Zealand: At the end of each rotation.

In your final year, submit your CbDs by 15 October.

Submit your CbD rating form data via the Advanced Training Portal.

Resources

Case-based Discussion rating form (PDF)

Developmental and Psychosocial Training

Requirement for Paediatrics and Child Health trainees only

Australia

Open all

Overview

Developmental and Psychosocial (D&P) Training assists trainees to develop 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.

A mandatory period of D&P Training for all paediatricians was introduced to ensure that the changing nature of paediatric practice is reflected in the training programs.

Apply

Prospectively apply for D&P Training via the Advanced Training online registration.

Allowed rotations

Child and adolescent mental health
Child protection
Community paediatrics
Developmental/behavioural paediatrics
Disability/rehabilitation paediatrics
Palliative medicine

These areas reflect a holistic approach to the health problems of children and young people. An understanding of the roles and inter-relationships of many allied health and community-based services, in a way that distinguishes them from experience in organ-based specialties, is required.

Approved training options

A prospectively approved psychosocial training position (6 months)

The 6-month training program can be completed in one of these formats:

2 x 3-month terms
1 x 6-month block
a continuous part-time position, such as 2.5 days a week for 12 months^*

A prospectively approved rural position (6 months)

Complete the 6-month training comprised of a documented weekly program in the psychosocial training areas with an appropriate level of supervision.

Attendance at a prospectively approved clinic

The 6-month training program can be completed in one of these formats:

2 x sessions a week for 18 months
1 x session a week for 3 years

You must also complete an approved learning module.

^*A conglomerate of experience for shorter time periods adding up to 6 months will not be acceptable.

Approved clinics

An approved clinic is determined to be a clinic where other health and/or educational professionals are involved, and supervision is directed by a paediatrician who is experienced in one or multiple areas of D&P Training, such as behaviour, development, rehabilitation and child protection.

Approved learning module options

An approved learning module includes one of the following options:

Evidence of attendance at a lecture series at a recognised institution, related to the D&P Training areas.
3 x referenced case reports/essays demonstrating comprehensive understanding of 3 different issues in the areas of psychosocial training – for example rehabilitation or community paediatrics (1500 to 2000 words each).
Completion of the Griffith Mental Developmental Scales course.

Other prospectively approved modules may be considered.

Resources

Advanced Training Developmental and Psychosocial Training Supervisor's Report form (DOC)

Requirements

Requirement

1 x 6-month period of training during your Basic or Advanced Training

Deadline

You must complete your Developmental and Psychosocial Training by the end of Advanced Training.

At the end of your rotation, you must submit an Advanced Training Developmental and Psychosocial Training Supervisor's Report (DOC) for certification.

Note: Developmental and Psychosocial Training will not be counted towards your non-core training.

Supervision

A satisfactory Supervisor’s Report for Developmental and Psychosocial (D&P) Training is required for your training to be certified.

You must nominate a supervisor for your D&P Training component during your Advanced Training.

Advanced Trainees who want their D&P Training rotation to count towards their specialty training time must also submit a specialty Supervisor’s Report.

Resources

Advanced Training Developmental and Psychosocial Training Supervisor's Report form (DOC)

Aotearoa New Zealand

Open all

Overview

A mandatory period of D&P Training for all paediatricians was introduced to ensure that the changing nature of paediatric practice is reflected in the training programs.

Apply

Prospectively apply for D&P Training via your Advanced Training registration process.

Allowed rotations

Adolescent medicine
Child protection and adolescent psychiatry
Community paediatrics
Developmental/behavioural paediatrics
Disability/rehabilitation paediatrics

Rotations not suitable for D&P Training:

Paediatric gastroenterology^*
Paediatric neurology^**

^* Exceptions may be possible if rotation is specifically designed to have a D&P Training focus. However, this would be unlikely in Basic Training and would require specific prospective approval.
^** Rotation usually not possible unless there is significant developmental focus. Not possible at SHO level.

Logbook

Alternatively, you can gain the required training by managing suitable cases over a longer period with appropriate supervision. Your training must be documented in a logbook.

You must keep a record of at least 12 cases you've personally managed under supervision.

In your logbook, your entries must cover a range of conditions:

Developmental problems, with a focus on the response of parents, families and caregivers to the diagnosis and ongoing care of the child with special needs.
Pervasive developmental disorders.
General learning disability — the behaviour problems that arise secondary to this condition.
Chronic illness — behavioural and psychological problems resulting from chronic illness, and parent and family difficulties resulting from chronic conditions, such as diabetes, epilepsy, chronic arthritis, chronic respiratory disease, physical disability and childhood cancer.
Common behavioural paediatric problems such as enuresis, encopresis, sleep disturbance, eating difficulties, attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder, conduct disorder, anxiety, depression, and pre-school behavioural adjustment disorders.

You're to provide a summary of the issues involved in each case and how they were managed. Copies of clinical letters are not appropriate.

Cases will generally accumulate over a 2-year period and each case record must be signed by the supervisor.

Resources

Advanced Training Developmental and Psychosocial Training Supervisor's Report form (DOC)
Psychosocial Logbook example (PDF)
Psychosocial Logbook template (DOC)

Requirements

Requirement

1 x 3-month period of training during your Basic or Advanced Training

Deadline

You must complete your Developmental and Psychosocial Training by the end of Advanced Training.

At the end of your rotation, you must submit an Advanced Training Developmental and Psychosocial Training Supervisor's Report (DOC) for certification.

Note: Developmental and Psychosocial Training will not be counted towards your non-core training.

Supervision

Trainees must nominate a paediatrician with a special interest and skill in behavioural paediatrics or, where available, a child psychiatrist or paediatric clinical psychologist, to act as their supervisor.

We will provide your nominated supervisor with information about the requirements for the logbook as well as review the logbook.

A satisfactory Supervisor’s Report for Developmental and Psychosocial Training is required for your training to be certified.

Advanced Trainees who want their Developmental and Psychosocial Training rotation to count towards their specialty training time must also submit a specialty Supervisor’s Report.

Resources

Advanced Training Developmental and Psychosocial Training Supervisor's Report (PDF)
Psychosocial Logbook example (PDF)
Psychosocial Logbook template (DOC)

Direct Observation of Procedural Skills

Open all

Overview

The Direct Observation of Procedural Skills (DOPS) is an evidence-based assessment used to guide your learning and competency.

You will perform a procedure on a patient in the workplace, while an experienced and knowledgeable assessor observes your performance.

Step-by-step: Direct Observation of Procedural Skills

Negotiate a procedure with your supervisor for the DOPS assessment.

Provide your assessor with a copy of the DOPS rating form (PDF).

Your assessor observes you while you perform a procedure.

The assessor provides you with immediate feedback on the procedure.

You and your assessor both sign the DOPS rating form.

Enter the data from your completed DOPS rating form online via the Advanced Training Portal.

Once submitted, your assessor will receive a copy of the DOPS form. Your supervisor can also view your DOPS rating form online.

Assessment areas

During a DOPS, you can be assessed across up to ten assessment domains:

Understanding of indications, relevant anatomy, technique of procedure
Obtains informed consent
Appropriate pre-procedure preparation
Patient and risk awareness
Aseptic technique
Technical ability
Seeks help where appropriate
Post-procedure management
Communication skills
Consideration for patient

Feedback

An assessor provides feedback to help identify learning needs and plan future learning opportunities for your training, as well as identify your observed strengths.

The feedback should be given in a structured manner by breaking up the procedure into skill-related areas. This will help you focus your future learning.

You’ll have the opportunity to comment on the assessor’s feedback and with them develop an action plan for future skill development.

Your learning plan should be reviewed by your supervisor (if they’re not your assessor) following its development and reviewed again at your next meeting to see your progress against the action plan.

Resources

Direct Observation of Procedural Skills rating form (PDF)

Requirements

Requirement | Australia

4 x Direct Observation of Procedural Skills (DOPS) each training year

Requirement | Aotearoa New Zealand

4 x DOPS each training year, 2 per 6-month period minimum

Deadlines

Australia: 31 January in the following year.

Aotearoa New Zealand: At the end of each rotation.

In your final year, DOPS are due by 15 October.

Submit your DOPS via the Advanced Training Portal.

Resources

Direct Observation of Procedural Skills rating form (PDF)

Procedures

Your Advanced Training Program has an identified list of procedures in its Advanced Training Curriculum that are suitable for one or more DOPS.

Suitable procedures are central to practice in each specialty and complex enough to warrant observation and feedback across a number of assessment domains.

Acceptable procedures

Respiratory Medicine

Adult Medicine

Bronchoscopy/endoscopic procedures (BRO)
Pleural procedures (PP)
Lung function testing (LFT)
Non-invasive ventilation (NIV) in acute care
Thoracic ultrasonography (US)

Paediatrics & Child Health

Bronchoscopy (BRO)
Lung function testing (LFT)
Non-invasive ventilation (NIV) in acute care

Sleep Medicine

Adult Medicine

Portable monitoring – set-up (PM-s)
Portable monitoring – interpretation (PM-i)
Sleep hygiene (SH)
Implementing acute and chronic non-invasive ventilation (NIV)
Vigilance studies (VS)
Other (considered at the discretion of the ATC/ATS)

Paediatrics & Child Health

Sleep hygiene (SH)
Implementing acute and chronic non-invasive ventilation (NIV)
Vigilance studies (VS)
Other (considered at the discretion of the ATC/ATS)

Learning Needs Analysis

Open all

Overview

A Learning Needs Analysis (LNA) embeds the process of planning and evaluating learning in the trainee’s practice.

The LNA is designed to help you:

tailor your learning experiences and build on clinical knowledge and skills
enhance face-to-face communication with your supervisor
provide information on your learning needs and progress
reflect on your strengths, limitations and future learning strategies

Your ward/service consultant or supervisor are responsible for:

advising you of available learning opportunities and resources
ensuring you have set appropriate goals and identified achievable learning objectives
reviewing your completed LNA and providing you feedback

Step-by-step: Learning Need Analysis

You need to complete a specified number of LNAs each year, per rotation. Refer to the training program requirements for the required number.

Prepare for your LNA

To plan the learning objectives for each training period, discuss the learning opportunities and resources available with your ward/service consultant or supervisor.

Meet with your consultant/supervisor to discuss:
- career goals
- personal strengths and weaknesses
- strengths and constraints of the training site/rotation, including the expertise of the medical staff and the resources available
- requirements established in the curriculum, the Professional Practice Framework and Professional Standards (PDF)

Create your LNA: Part 1

Log into your online training portal and create a new LNA
Basic Training Portal^* | Advanced Training Portal | AFOEM Portal | AFRM Portal

You'll be prompted to enter:
- learning goals for the training period
- self-evaluation on current competency for the goals identified
- learning objectives from the curricula that map to your goals (optional)
- strategies and resources that will assist your learning
- contact details of additional supervisors (optional)

Submit Part 1 of your LNA

You and your consultant/supervisor can meet to review and improve your LNA

Begin implementing your LNA over your training period

Complete your LNA: Part 2

At the end of your training period, you'll complete a self-evaluation of your LNA.

Provide your input on:
- competency in the areas specified in the learning plan
- evidence of learning
- reflection on training period

Complete your LNA by submitting LNA Part 2

Your consultant/supervisor can access your completed LNA

^* New trainees who don't currently have access to the Basic Training Portal can complete a Learning Needs Analysis form (DOC). You don't need to submit this to your supervisor. When you have access to the portal, fill in your LNA online.

Resources

Video tutorial

Requirements

Requirement

2 x Learning Needs Analysis (LNA) minimum each training year (1 per 6-month period)

Deadlines

Australia: 31 January in the following year.

Aotearoa New Zealand: At the end of each rotation.

In your final year, your LNAs are due 15 October.

Submit your LNA via the Advanced Training Portal.

Logbook

Open all

Overview

Over the course of your Advanced Training in Respiratory Medicine and Sleep Medicine, your logbook demonstrates your breadth of exposure and competence in undertaking clinical procedures.

Recording procedures

Trainees are required to maintain a logbook that documents clinical procedures such as bronchoscopy, tube thoracotomy and pleural aspiration.

For each logbook entry, you must include:

a medical record number
the procedure performed
the outcome of the procedure, including any complications or unusual features
whether the procedure was supervised or unsupervised.

Competence can be assessed based on:

the written record of procedures in the logbook
the written assessment by your supervisors, who are asked to verify the details of the logbook
your experience and competence

Your logbook must be maintained throughout training and submitted for review at the end of each training year along with a Supervisor's Report.

Exceptions

Except where it’s stated that specific cases are to be recorded:

All procedure numbers listed are a guide only as to what supervisors and trainees should aim for.
Failure to reach these numbers doesn’t provide grounds to prevent trainees from progressing with their training.
It’s expected that supervisors can assess trainees to be competent to progress without the prescribed numbers being reached.
The logbook requirement doesn’t mandate recording details of each individual case but recommends recording of total numbers for that procedure.

Resources

Respiratory Medicine and Sleep Medicine Supervisor's Report (DOC)
Respiratory Medicine logbook template (XLS)
Sleep Medicine logbook template (XLS)

Requirements

Requirement | Single specialty

1 x Respiratory Medicine logbook to be kept over the course of your Advanced Training

1 x Sleep Medicine logbook to be kept over the course of your Advanced Training

Requirement | Dual training in Respiratory and Sleep Medicine

2 x Logbooks to be kept over the course of your Advanced Training:

1 x Respiratory Medicine logbook
1 x Sleep Medicine logbook

Certification

Completion of your logbook for each training period is reported in your Supervisor’s Report following a review by your supervisor.

Resources

Respiratory Medicine and Sleep Medicine Supervisor's Report (DOC)
Respiratory Medicine logbook template (XLS)
Sleep Medicine logbook template (XLS)

Procedures

Respiratory Medicine

As a guide, you should aim to complete the prescribed number of procedures you perform during your training.

Adult Medicine

200 x Bronchoscopies
10 x Tube thoracostomies
300 x Lung function reports^*
Thoracic ultrasonography

Highly desirable procedural skills (optional)

25 x Transbronchial lung biopsies
Pleuroscopy
EBUS

Paediatrics & Child Health

50 x Fibreoptic bronchoscopy cases^**
200 x Lung function reports^*
10 x Pulmonary function tests (spirometry)
300 x Respiratory medicine inpatient cases
300 x Respiratory medicine outpatient consultations
- 100 x Cases should be new referrals
100 x Non-respiratory medicine admitted inpatient consultations for other clinical services

^* Specific tests should be recorded. It’s expected that you’ll gain expertise in the full range of lung function testing including spirometry, gas transfer factor, maximal respiratory pressures, lung volumes, bronchoprovocation testing, cardiopulmonary exercise testing and other specialised tests.
^** Observed procedures can also be recorded.

Resources

Respiratory Medicine logbook template (XLS)

Sleep Medicine

Adult Medicine

Clinical work

500 x Cases in total, including all new and review patients seen as inpatients and outpatients
150 x New patients
30 x New cases with non-respiratory sleep disorder as the primary issue
50 x Positive airway pressure therapy
20 x Non-invasive ventilation (NIV)

Sleep laboratory work

5 x Study set-up and calibration of physiological signals
25 x Reviews of raw data: sleep staging and respiratory scoring
5 x Concordance assessments

Sleep study reporting

500 x Sleep studies in total
350 x Level 1 studies
20 x NIV studies
20 x Vigilance – Multiple Sleep Latency Test (MSLT), Maintenance of Wakefulness Test (MWT)

Presentations

3 x Physiology topic
12 x Sleep cases

Non-respiratory procedures

100 x Respiratory Function Test (RFT) reporting
1 x Respiratory medicine outpatient clinic a week
Inpatient management of respiratory patients, including acute respiratory failure

Paediatrics & Child Health

Clinical work

50 x Inpatient cases, including consultations
350 x Outpatient consultations
150 x New patients, including:
- 30 x Cases with non-respiratory sleep disorder as the primary issue
- 50 x Positive airway pressure therapy
- 20 x Non-invasive ventilation (NIV)

Laboratory work

5 x Study set-up and calibration of physiological signals

Review of raw data

25 x Sleep staging and respiratory scoring
5 x Concordance assessment

Sleep study reporting

300 x Studies in total
250 x Level 1 studies
20 x NIV/Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) studies
5 x Vigilance – Multiple Sleep Latency Test (MSLT)

Presentations

3 x Physiology topic
12 x Sleep cases

Non-respiratory procedures

100 x Respiratory Function Test (RFT) reporting, across 2 years

Resources

Sleep Medicine Logbook template (XLS)

Meeting attendance

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Overview

Attendance at meetings and training activities ensures valuable participation and interaction time with other respiratory medicine and sleep medicine trainees and experts in a formal education setting throughout your training.

This requirement demonstrates you’ve achieved professional learning in your specialty.

Dual trainees

Dual trainees completing Advanced Training in Respiratory Medicine and Sleep Medicine concurrently are only required to submit 2 meeting attendances (2 over the course of training).

Accepted meetings

Thoracic Society of Australia and New Zealand (TSANZ) ASM
Australasian Sleep Association (ASA) ASM
RACP ASM
Thoracic Society of Australia and New Zealand state based ASM
European Respiratory Society Annual Congress
American Thoracic Society Conference
British Thoracic Society Conference
Chest Conference
World Sleep Conference
Associated Professional Sleep Societies Sleep Meeting
European Sleep Research Society Congress
Australasian Society for Immunology ASM - covers cell biology research etc
World Congress of Bronchology
Australian Lung Cancer Conference
International Society for Heart and Lung Transplantation ASM
The Asia-Pacific Society of Respirology Conference
The Australian Rare Lung Disease Annual Short Course
Asian Pacific Congress of Bronchology and Interventional Pulmonology
The International Conference on Paediatric Pulmonology
The European Cystic Fibrosis Conference
International Paediatric Sleep Association Congress
Aotearoa New Zealand TSANZ Meeting
Aotearoa New Zealand ASA Meeting

Other meetings and conferences will be considered by the Advanced Training Committee and Advanced Training Subcommittee on a case-by-case basis.

Requirements

Requirement | Single specialty

2 x National or international scientific meetings over the course of your Advanced Training

Requirement | Post-Fellowship^*

1 x National or international scientific meetings over the course of your Advanced Training

The meeting can be either be for respiratory or sleep medicine.

Trainees completing sleep medicine only that submit a TSANZ meeting attendance (respiratory), are not required to submit a sleep medicine-specific meeting attendance as TSANZ meetings include components of sleep medicine.

Requirement | Dual training in Respiratory and Sleep Medicine

2 x National or international scientific meetings over the course of your Advanced Training

^* RACP Fellows who have already completed Advanced Training in Respiratory Medicine and/or Sleep Medicine.

Certification

By the end of Advanced Training, you must submit a Certificate of Attendance for both meetings to respiratorysleep@racp.edu.au (Australia) or RespiratorySleep@racp.org.nz (Aotearoa New Zealand).

A tax invoice for registration will not be accepted.

Mini-Clinical Evaluation Exercise

Open all

Overview

The Mini-Clinical Evaluation Exercise (Mini-CEX) is a formative assessment for trainees to receive timely, structured feedback on their performance in real clinical situations.

A Mini-CEX aims to:

evaluate your clinical performance in a real-life setting
guide your learning and improve clinical performance through structured feedback from an assessor
identify ways for you to improve your practice in areas such as communication, history taking, physical examination and professional practice

Areas of assessment

You must complete encounters on a range of cases, each focusing on specific parts of the clinical encounter:

History taking
Medical interviewing skills
Physical examination skills
Professional qualities
Counselling skills
Clinical judgement
Organisation and efficiency

Step-by-step: Mini-Clinical Evaluation Exercise

You need to complete a specified number of Mini-CEXs each year to meet the program requirements. Refer to the Mini-CEX requirements for the specified number per training year.

Arrange a Mini-CEX with your assessor – discuss and agree on curriculum areas that require focus and your assessor will then choose an appropriate consultation.

Provide your assessor a Mini-CEX rating form:
Basic Training (PDF) | Advanced Training (PDF) | AFOEM (PDF)

Undertake a patient consultation while being observed by your assessor – allow for 15 to 20 minutes.

Your assessor will complete the Mini-CEX rating form and provide you with feedback – allow for 10 to 15 minutes.

Once you have received feedback, both you and your assessor sign the rating form.

Enter data from your completed Mini-CEX rating form into the online Mini-CEX tool in your training portal.
Basic Training Portal
Advanced Training Portal
AFOEM Portal
AFPHM Portal
AFRM Portal

Submit a copy of your completed form to your assessor using the online Mini-CEX tool.

Requirements

Requirement

3 x Mini-Clinical Evaluation Exercises (Mini-CEX) minimum completed each training year (at least 1 per 6-month period)

Deadlines

Australia: 31 January in the following year.

Aotearoa New Zealand: At the end of each rotation.

In your final year, your Mini-CEXs are due 15 October.

Submit your Mini-CEX via the Advanced Training Portal.

Resources

Mini-Clinical Evaluation Exercise rating form (PDF)

Professional Qualities Reflection

Open all

Overview

A Professional Qualities Reflection (PQR) allows a trainee to reflect on an event, or series of events, that is medically or professionally significant to them.

Through analysis of the event, you’ll be able to identify and integrate new skills and knowledge to improve your performance.

Reflecting on your professional qualities can cause you to question your beliefs, attitudes and behaviours, and develop new ideas and insights to inform your future practice.

When planning your PQR, you should consider:

What happened?
Why did it happen?
What did you learn?
How can you improve patient care?
What action did you or will you take?

Refer to your specific PQR program requirements.

Choosing an event

Analyse an event or events that impacts your professional practice.

The event can be positive or negative but doesn't have to be dramatic or life threatening. The event should relate to a variety of different encounters you might experience in a healthcare setting.

Step-by-step: Professional Qualities Reflection

Go to your online training portal:
Basic Training portal
Advanced Training portal
AFOEM portal
AFPHM portal
AFRM portal

Select the PQR tool and create a new entry.

Describe an event, or series of events, of professional significance.

Reflect on the event. How did you respond to it?

Detail the insights you gained from the event(s) and how it will impact your medical professionalism.

Submit your completed PQR to your Professional Development Advisor^* (Basic Training) or Supervisor (Advanced Training) through your online training portal.

Arrange with your Advisor or Supervisor a time to discuss your PQR.

At your meeting/interview, discuss your PQR with your Professional Development Advisor or Supervisor and seek feedback on your future practice.

^* A Professional Development Advisor doesn’t need to be a RACP Fellow. For example, your Advisor can be your Ward/Service Consultant or an Advanced Trainee.

Qualified privilege

Australia

The Commonwealth Qualified Privilege Scheme for the PQR expired on 1 October 2021.

The PQR was a quality assurance activity that had been declared on behalf of the Minister of Health and Aged Care by the Chief Medical Officer of the Department of Health under Part VC section 124X of the Health Insurance Act 1973 under the Commonwealth Qualified Privilege Scheme.

Documents and information that became known when the activity was a declared quality assurance activity will continue to be protected from disclosure under the Commonwealth Qualified Privilege Scheme.

Statutory protection will not apply to documents or information provided as part of a quality assurance activity after 1 October 2021.

See Anonymity and confidentiality.

Aotearoa New Zealand

Information entered in the PQR tool and which has become known solely as a result of the PQR is protected under the Health Practitioners Competence Assurance Act 2003.

The Act outlines conditions which apply to use of the PQR, which include:

information already existing, for example in patient notes, is not protected
information entered in the PQR cannot be disclosed to, or recorded by, others who are outside the PQR activity

The Minister of Health can authorise disclosure for investigation purposes if they are satisfied that the material relates to a serious offence.

Anonymity and confidentiality

The RACP strongly advises de-identifying any information entered in a PQR. Please de-identify any names of patients, peers, persons or organisation(s) to protect the privacy of individuals/organisation(s) in accordance with the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) and the Australian Medical Association Privacy Handbook.

The College won’t release any information that you give in this self-reflective tool to any third party without consent unless it’s required to do so by law.

If you receive a subpoena or court order requesting quality assurance activity records, you can seek legal advice about whether the records must be produced.

Requirements

Requirement

1 x Professional Qualities Reflection (PQR) minimum each training year

Deadlines

Australia: 31 January in the following year.

Aotearoa New Zealand: At the end of each rotation.

In your final year, your PQR is due 15 October.

Submit your PQR via the Advanced Training Portal.

Respiratory Medicine/Sleep Medicine Research Project

Requirement for Australian trainees who commenced before 2019 and Aotearoa New Zealand trainees who commenced before 2017

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Overview

The Respiratory Medicine/Sleep Medicine Research Project enables 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

You’re required to undertake a significant research project during your training, in order to understand and apply appropriate research methodologies in laboratory and clinical settings. You should become actively involved in research activities, including quality assurance. Experience should be gained in:

study design
literature research and review
writing submissions for grant funding and ethics committee approval
data collection
storage and analysis
computer program evaluation for results analysis, statistics and graphics

Your success in these activities is demonstrated by publication or presentation of a significant project at a national or international meeting.

Resources

Research Project Checklist and Planner (XLS)

Requirements

Requirement | Single specialty

1 x Respiratory Medicine or Sleep Medicine Research Project

Requirement | Dual training in Respiratory and Sleep Medicine

1 x Respiratory Medicine Research Project

1 x Sleep Medicine Research Project

Certification

You must submit proof of acceptance of your poster(s) or abstract(s) prior to the completion of your Advanced Training.

Research Projects must be presented at a national or international meeting before your Advanced Training can be certified and Fellowship be recommended.

Resources

Research Project Checklist and Planner (XLS)

Submission guidelines

You’re required to:

present at least 1 paper at a national or international meeting of a society, such as the Thoracic Society of Australia and New Zealand (TSANZ), Australasian Sleep Association (ASA) or the RACP Congress, of which you’re the principal author
prepare an article^* accepted for publication by a peer-reviewed journal

^* Generally, single case reports don’t satisfy this criterion.

Submission

In your submission to the College, you must provide a copy of your abstract or article as well as:

proof of acceptance of your poster or abstract at a national or international meeting
proof of acceptance of your article for publication

Australian trainees who submit a project where they're not the first author must submit a statement of contribution verified by their research supervisor.

Trainees who submit a project for publication will be considered as the first author.

Submit your research project to respiratorysleep@racp.edu.au (Australia) or RespiratorySleep@racp.org.nz (Aotearoa New Zealand).

Resources

Research Project Checklist and Planner (XLS)

Supervisor's Report

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Overview

A Supervisor's Report provides a comprehensive overview of your progress and achievement during the training year. It provides you with structured feedback on your performance from your supervisor and will inform the decision on the certification of your training.

Online Supervisor’s Report pilot

We have been looking at ways to improve reporting by offering online Advanced Training Supervisor’s Reports. We are extending our pilot, which commenced last year.

We ask that trainees and supervisors give the online report a go, save time by completing it online and share your feedback with us.

Learn more about the online Supervisor's Report pilot.

Note: Paper reports will continue to be available during the pilot.

Step-by-step: Online Supervisor’s Report

Your nominated supervisor(s) are listed in your online Supervisor’s Report and must complete their section of the report.

Using a laptop or desktop PC, open a new Microsoft Edge or Google Chrome browser.

Open the report for your current training period.

Complete the active fields in each report tab. Some fields are for supervisors only and will appear inactive to trainees.

After your supervisor(s) have completed their assessment, you should meet with them to discuss their assessment of your performance.

Following your discussion, your supervisor submits the report.

You and your supervisor(s) can add comments and complete declarations in the ‘Submit report’ tab.

Your report is complete only after you and your supervisor(s) have completed the declarations.

Step-by-step: Paper Supervisor’s Report

All your nominated supervisors must complete the Supervisor’s Report. You can view your nominated supervisors by logging in to your training portal.
Advanced Training | AFRM

Arrange a meeting to discuss and complete the Supervisor's Report with your supervisor(s).

Check that you have completed all relevant sections of the report prior to submission as incomplete reports will be returned to you.

Submit your report(s) in PDF (preferred) or Word format via email to your specialty, copying in:

all supervisors
your other specialty, if you’re actively dual training.

Save a copy of your report(s) for your own records.

If you have more than 2 nominated supervisors, additional supervisors must complete either a Supplementary Supervisor Comments Report (DOC) or a separate Supervisor’s Report.

Dual trainees: Complete a Supervisor’s Report for the specialty most relevant to that training period. Separate reports for the same training period aren’t required for dual training.

Late submission

The Training Committee may not certify training if your Supervisor’s Report is submitted after the specified deadline.

Late reports will not be accepted unless you’ve been granted an extension through an Application for Special Consideration^* (DOC).

Special Consideration must be applied for prior to the Supervisor’s Report deadline. You can also submit a letter of explanation to support your application.

Applications will be assessed against the criteria outlined in the Special Consideration for Assessment Policy (PDF).

^* As outlined in the Progression Through Training Policy (PDF), section 7.8.1:
‘Training will not be certified where the trainee has not satisfactorily completed all training requirements for the prospectively approved training period by the relevant deadline(s), or during an extension period if granted by the committee.’

Resources

Online Supervisor's Report
Multi-factor authentication
Education policies

Requirements

Requirement

Australia

12-month position (full-time and part-time trainees)

1 x Supervisor’s Report for the first 6 months of the training year due by 15 July
1 x Supervisor’s Report for the last 6 months of the training year due by 31 January in the following year

6-month position or less (separate supervisors or separate sites)

1 x Supervisor’s Report completed for each rotation:
- Due 15 July for rotations in the first half of the year
- Due 31 January for rotations in the second half of the year

In your final clinical training year, we recommend submitting your last Supervisor's Report before the 31 January deadline to avoid delaying certification of the training period.

Aotearoa New Zealand

12-month position (full-time and part-time trainees)

1 x Supervisor’s Report for the first 6 months of the training year due by 30 June
1 x Supervisor’s Report for the whole 12 months of the training year due by 15 December

6-month position or less (separate supervisors or separate sites)

1 x Supervisor’s Report completed for each rotation:
- Due 30 June for rotations in the first half of the year
- Due 15 December for rotations in the second half of the year

If your supervisor hasn’t directly supervised you throughout the whole rotation, your supervisor should obtain individual reports from those who have and submit a composite report.

You're to ensure all supervisors receive a copy of the Supervisor’s Report. Previous copies of Supervisor’s Reports must be provided to your next supervisor.

Resources

Respiratory Medicine and Sleep Medicine online Supervisor's Report (RACP login required)
Online Supervisor's Report FAQs
Respiratory Medicine and Sleep Medicine Supervisor's Report (DOC)
Supplementary Supervisor Comments Report (DOC)
Supervisor Details Amendment Form (DOC)

More information

Education policies
RACP Online Learning Resources
Trainee support

Forms and resources

Curricula

Respiratory Medicine (Adult Medicine) Advanced Training Program Curriculum (PDF)
Respiratory Medicine (Paediatrics) Advanced Training Program Curriculum (PDF)
Sleep Medicine (Adult Medicine) Advanced Training Curriculum (PDF)
Sleep Medicine (Paediatrics) Advanced Training Curriculum (PDF)
Professional Qualities Curriculum (PDF)

Advanced Training Portal

Forms and reports

Specialty societies

Thoracic Society of Australia and New Zealand

The Thoracic Society of Australia and New Zealand (TSANZ) is a peak professional body representing Respiratory Medicine physicians in Australia and New Zealand.

Australasian Sleep Association

The Australasian Sleep Association (ASA) is a peak professional body representing Sleep Medicine physicians in Australia and New Zealand.

RACP resources

Trainee support is available through the Training Support Pathway, assisting you in navigating the progression through training process and reporting on your progress to your training committee.

RACP Online learning resources is home to all online learning opportunities for trainees, with its range of online learning courses, resources and interactive learning content. It also hosts:

College Learning Series is an interactive online resource specifically targeted to the needs of Basic Trainees.
Curated collections are learning resource guides based on the contributions and peer review of RACP Fellows and other experts.

Pomegranate Health podcast is a monthly medical podcast created by physicians, for physicians.

Evolve is a physician-led initiative to ensure the highest quality patient care through the identification and reduction of low-value practices and interventions.