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 three years (36 months FTE).

Training rotations

Advanced Training time in ​Rheumatology ​consists of:

• 24 months of core training
• 12 months of non-core training. 

Core training

A minimum of 24 months (FTE) must be spent in accredited clinical training positions. The two years of core training must be completed at separate sites and should precede non-core training (see note below).

Non-core training

A maximum of 12 months of non-core training may be undertaken in clinical training in other disciplines, or in research. The following guidelines have been developed to help trainees formulate their non-core training year. The non-core year can take a number of forms:​

1. A rheumatology clinical year, in either a site accredited for core rheumatology training or​ non-core rheumatology clinical training.
2. Advance notice to the overseeing committee is not required if the non-core year is to be a clinical year in a site with current accreditation for core or non-core rheumatology training.
3. A clinical research year in which the trainee is involved in a major clinical research project, either of their own development or as a contributor to an ongoing research project. Publication in a peer-reviewed journal is expected. The trainee will be expected to participate in a minimum of one general rheumatology clinic per week in addition to the research clinical work.
4. A research year relevant to the specialty of rheumatology, with enrolment in a senior degree program such as, but not exclusive to, PhD, MD (research) or an MPH. This must be full-time, and attendance to one general rheumatology clinic per week is encouraged.
5. Other training in a field related to rheumatology. This may include, but is not limited to, such disciplines as general medicine, general paediatrics, ultrasonography, etc.​

For options 3, 4 or 5, a detailed letter should be submitted to the relevant overseeing committee by 31 August. The letter should outline the trainee’s experience to date, their aims for the non-core year, and how this may contribute to a continuing career in rheumatology. Depending on whether the year is clinical or in research, details such as numbers and types of clinics per week, evidence of course acceptance, program hours, and subjects in a course may be relevant.

Note​: Dual trainees applying for non-core training before core training will have their non-core training prospectively approved (provided it meets the guidelines above) but certification will be deferred until a minimum of 12 months of core training has been certified.​

For all other trainees it is expected that the non-core year will follow core training. Application to (and approval by) the relevant overseeing committee outlining exceptional circumstances is required before the commencement of a non-core year out of the required sequence.

The NZ ATS will prospectively approve, on a case-by-case basis, only those rotations which are closely related to rheumatology.

Training time

At least 12 months of Core Advanced Training in Rheumatology must be undertaken in Australia and/or New Zealand. This is to ensure that trainees receive adequate exposure to local practices and health services.

Supervision Requirements

Provides you with appropriate support and guidance to complete the training program.

Core training

• 2 supervisors with FRACP (or equivalent) who are practising rheumatologists

Non-core training

• 1 supervisor with FRACP (or equivalent)
• 1 supervisor who may or may not have FRACP

Overseas training

• 1 Australian-based supervisor with FRACP (or equivalent) who is a practising rheumatologist
• 1 supervisor who may or may not have FRACP who is a practising rheumatologist

Overseas-based trainees are encouraged to have an additional Australasian-based supervisor who is a practising rheumatologist.

Dual training

Dual trainees undertaking non-core Rheumatology training are encouraged to have an additional supervisor who is a practising rheumatologist.

More information

• Supervision
• Advanced Training supervisor amendment form

Case-based Discussions (CbD) 

Direct Observation of Procedural Skills (DOPS)

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

Requirement

Australia: Four per core year (one per three-month period) due by 31 January of the following year.
New Zealand: Four per core training year due by the end of each training rotation.

Acceptable procedures

Adult Medicine

Joint aspiration or injection​:

• Glenohumeral​
• Acromioclavicular
• Sternoclavicular​
• Costochondral​
• Humeroradial​
• Radiocarpal
• Metatarsophalangeal
• Proximal interphalangeal
• Distal interphalangeal
• Femorotibial
• Talocrural
• Subtalar
• Metacarpophalangeal.

Soft tissue injections:

• Sub-acromial bursa​
• Tendon sheath​
• De Quervain’s​
• Trigger finger​
• Greater trochanter​
• Carpal tunnel​
• Plantar fascia
• Suprascapular nerve block​.

Paediatrics and Child Health

Joint aspiration or injection:

• Femorotibial
• Talocrural
• Subtalar (with and without imaging guidance)
• Acetabulofemoral (hip) (with guidance)
• Radiocarpal
• Humeroradial
• Glenohumeral
• Metacarpophalangeal
• ​Metatarsophalangeal
• Interphalangeal (recommended only)
• Temporomandibular (recommended only)
• Tendon sheath

More information

• Complete and submit the DOPS via the Advanced Training Portal
• See DOPS for information sheets, workflow, rating forms and other resources

Learning Needs Analys​is (LNA)

Logbooks

Completion and submission

The accuracy and currency of the logbooks is of the utmost importance. Logbooks must be submitted in the prescribed spreadsheet forms provided and must be available at all times for review. Patient details (e.g. name, address) should not be included in the logbook. Trainees should complete a Log Summary Sheet (found as a separate sheet on each prescribed spreadsheet) and submit this with the completed logbooks. Supervisors are required to confirm in their reports that the logbooks are a true and accurate record of the trainee’s experience, and that all training requirements have been fulfilled. It is recommended that trainees keep a separate logbook of all patients seen for a 12-month period, for the purposes of individual educational value. This logbook is to be kept for personal records only and not to be submitted to the College.

More Information

• See Additional ​Resources for the Logbook Submission Forms

Mini-Clinical Evaluation Exercise (mini-CEX)

Research Requirements

New Zealand

One research project and one audit project to be submitted over the course of training (two in total) due by 31 May/31 October. Projects should be commenced during the first year of core training.

• Research project results should be of a suitable standard which can be presented at either a national or international rheumatology meeting. Presentations at state meetings are not accepted. It should include:
  • background
  • rationale
  • hypothesis
  • methodology
  • feasibility
  • ethics issues and approval
  • parent information sheet
  • budget.
• Audit project: such as an audit/evaluation of a service or clinical program, accompanied by a literature review.

Project supervision

Trainees are advised to choose their supervisors for projects carefully. The supervisor of the project needs to be able to guide trainees with respect to choice of project, methodology, statistical analysis, interpretation, and quality of presentation.

Trainees are advised to consider choosing a separate project supervisor rather than expect their clinical supervisor to fill both roles. Advice may be sought from a mentor or Department Head.

More Information

• See Additional resources for learning and assessment tools
• Research Projects
• Research Projects eLearning@RACP module
• Education policies

Supervisor’s Reports

Trainee's Report

New Zealand

Other Requirements 

Adult General Rheumatology Clinic​

To enable trainees to experience the progression of paediatric into adult disease, gain a broader understanding of end stage inflammatory disease and greater exposure to procedural skills, in particular joint injections. It should also help trainees to develop awareness of the need for appropriate transition programs for patients rather than merely transfer to adult services.

Requirement

This is a requirement for all Australian Paediatrics & Child Health trainees Introduced for New Zealand Paediatrics & Child Health trainees commencing training from 2018 onwards.

Once over the course of training, with completion noted in the Supervisor’s Report at the end of the rotation.

Trainees should establish formal links with an adult rheumatology training program for a minimum of once per week for a period of SIX months in, preferably, either of their two core years of training.

Attendance at training activities and meetings

To ensure participation and interaction with other rheumatology trainees and rheumatology experts in a formal education setting throughout training.

Requirement

Australia

Minimum 80% attendance at training activities and meetings organised by the Federal or State Australian Rheumatology Association.

New Zealand

Minimum 80% attendance at training activities and meetings organised by the Rheumatology Association.

Training activities and meetings​

• Department/hospital training activities as directed by the supervisor  State/regional monthly ARA/NZRA meetings*
• Trainee teaching/journal clubs
• Australian Rheumatology Association Annual Scientific Meeting (attendance strongly recommended for Australian trainees)
• New Zealand Rheumatology Association Annual Scientific Meeting (attendance strongly recommended for New Zealand trainees)
• Advanced Trainee preceptorship
• Other state/regional weekend/scientific meetings (if held)*
• Overseas conferences

Developmental and Psychosocial Training

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

About work-based learning and assessment tools

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

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

Important dates

Australia

January - March

• 31 January: 
  • Previous year’s Supervisor’s Report, Trainee’s Report and all PREP tools due for trainees not applying for Fellowship in December

  • Cases Managed and Procedures Logbooks due (core training only)

• 15 February: Applications for Approval of Advanced Training due.
• Learning Needs Analysis
• Direct Observation of Procedural Skills
• mini-Clinical Evaluation Exercise.

April - June

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

July - September

• 15 July:
  • Supervisor’s Report due for trainees who have completed six (or less) or 12-month rotations
  • Trainee’s Reports due for trainees who have completed a six-month (or less) rotation(s)
  • Cases Managed Logbook due (core training only).
• 31 August:
  • Applications for Approval of Advanced Training for the second half of the year due.
  • Detailed letter outlining non-core training intentions for following year to be submitted.
• 15 September: Project requirement submission date
• Learning Needs Analysis
• Direct Observation of Procedural Skills
• mini-Clinical Evaluation Exercise.

October - December

• 15 October:
  • Supervisor’s Report, Trainee’s Report and all PREP tools due for trainees eligible for December Fellowship
  • Cases Managed and Procedures Logbooks due for trainees who are eligible for December Fellowship (core training only)
• Learning Needs Analysis self evaluation
• Mini-Clinical Evaluation Exercise
• Case-based Discussion
• Direct Observation of Procedural Skills (first and second year trainees)

January

• 31 January: Previous year’s Supervisor’s Report, Cases Managed and Procedures Logbooks, and all PREP tools due for trainees not applying for Fellowship in December.

New Zealand

December - February

• Learning Needs Analysis
• Mini-Clinical Evaluation Exercise
• Direct Observation of Procedural Skills

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.
  • Supervisor’s  and Trainee's Reports due for all trainees.
  • Logbooks due (core training only).
• Learning Needs Analysis self -evaluation
• Case-based Discussion
• Direct Observation of Procedural Skills
• Mini-Clinical Evaluation Exercise

June - August

• 31 August: Detailed letter outlining non-core training intentions to be submitted
• Learning Needs Analysis
• Mini-Clinical Evaluation Exercise
• Direct Observation of Procedural Skills.

September - November

• 31 October:
  • Applications for Approval of Advanced Training for the first half or whole of the following year due.
  • Supervisor’s Report and all PREP tools due for all trainees.
  • Trainee’s Report for the second half of the year, or the whole year, due.
  • Logbooks due (core training only).
• Learning Needs Analysis self-evaluation 
• Mini-Clinical Evaluation Exercise
• Case-based Discussion
• Direct Observation of Procedural Skills (first year trainees)