Editor in Chief (Obstetrics) | eLearning Core Knowledge Editorial Board

Editor in Chief (obstetrics), eLearning Core Knowledge editorial board

Education Resources Adviser

Three years, commencing January 2025

The Editorial Board for eLearning Core Knowledge is responsible for the content and quality assurance of the 97 Core Knowledge eCourses. 

The Board is divided into an obstetrics sub-group and a gynaecology sub-group. The Editor in Chief (Obstetrics) chairs the obstetrics sub-group.

The Editor in Chief (Obstetrics) will oversee all obstetrics modules in addition to the normal duties of an Editorial Board member, e.g. oversee updates/peer reviews/production of assessment questions for the Core Knowledge Maternal Medicine module. They will be assisted in their work in the Core Knowledge module by a Trainee member of the Board.

The Editor in Chief (Obstetrics) will have three main roles:

• First point of contact for Editorial Board members responsible for the obstetrics modules in eLearning Core Knowledge
• As an Editorial Board member, they will also be responsible for the content of a Core Knowledge module (maternal medicine)
• Support the Education Resources Adviser in strategic developments of the eLearning Core Knowledge courses
• Editorial Board members will be assigned responsibility for a module within the Core Knowledge eCourses and are expected to support the RCOG editorial staff to keep the content up to date and current (e.g. through peer-review process or author updates).
• Editorial Board members can decide how they will work to complete this task, for example:
  • they can supervise the current eCourse author(s)
  • they can recruit new authors
  • they can carry out the work themselves
• Editorial Board members should familiarise themselves with the content of their eCourses and review each eCourse at least annually, or more frequently if required (for example, if new guidelines are published that affect the eCourse this will require more immediate action)
• Editorial Board members will be the first point of contact for user queries/feedback (sent via the eLearning team) on the eCourses for which they are responsible
• Editorial Board members will be expected to write or commission the writing of either SBA (Single Best Answer) or EMQ (Extended Matching Question) MRCOG Part 2 practice questions to be included in their eCourses

Future project development

• The Editor in Chief (Obstetrics) will work with the Education Resources Adviser and internal College team to ensure that the Core Knowledge courses support the 2024 core curriculum, and help to make any required changes and commission new resources
• The Editor in Chief (Obstetrics) may be asked to support RCOG editorial staff to identify and recruit new authors or working groups for future eLearning projects
• The Editor in Chief (Obstetrics) will be encouraged to make suggestions about how the Core Knowledge eCourses and other eLearning resources could be enhanced and developed
• The Editor in Chief (Obstetrics) can make suggestions for new eLearning initiatives

Advocacy

The Editor in Chief (Obstetrics) will help to raise the awareness of eLearning in the obstetrics and gynaecology community.
Conflict of interest.

The Editor in Chief (Obstetrics) will supply the RCOG with a conflict of interest statement, which will be published on the eLearning website.

The role involves working closely with:

• The Education Resources Adviser, Editor in Chief (Gynaecology) and Editorial Board for eLearning Core Knowledge
• The authors and peer reviewers of the Core Knowledge eCourses
• The RCOG eLearning team

This is variable, depending on stage of the review and update of the Core Knowledge eCourses. It is likely to average one hour a week. It is up to the candidate to discuss and agree the time commitment with their NHS employer.

Travel expenses are paid to UK-based Editorial Board members for attendance at the full Editorial Board meeting

The Editor in Chief (Obstetrics) will be expected to attend the following meetings three times per year:

Editorial Board meeting

• Video conference
• 60 – 90 minutes long
• Chaired by the Editors-in-Chief
• Usually held in March, June and November

Other meetings may be convened electronically as necessary.
Regular attendance is expected at board meetings along with a regular contribution to email discussions (in the event that two or more consecutive meetings are missed, the board member will be replaced).

This role reflects the present requirements of the post. As duties and responsibilities change and develop the role description will be reviewed and be subject to amendment in consultation with the post holder. 

The role description will be re-evaluated at the end of the term. 

A new Editor in Chief (Obstetrics) should be appointed three3 months before the end of the current holder's term of office, and they should work closely together during this time in order to facilitate a smooth handover period.

• FRCOG/MRCOG specialising in a relevant area or Senior SAS doctor
• Registered with a licence to practise with the GMC and in position of good standing
• Consultant, or senior SAS doctor in obstetrics in UK NHS Practice
• Evidence of equal opportunities and diversity training within previous three years

Essential 

• Understanding of the purpose and principles of the eLearning Core Knowledge eCourses
• Knowledge of the structure and content of the old and new (2024) Core Curriculum
• Knowledge of the MRCOG Part 2, especially the types of exam questions and their format
• Understanding of publishing procedures and copyright

Desirable 

• Previous membership of the eLearning Core Knowledge Editorial Board
• Experience of writing exam questions
• Experience of training specialty trainees in O&G
• Knowledge of eLearning and online publishing

• Evidence of annual appraisal
• Evidence of expertise in obstetrics
• Evidence of understanding of the RCOG’s Core Curriculum and MRCOG examination

Information about the RCOG CPD Framework can be found here.

Committee Chair/Member/Course Convenors and Organisers

If within your committee role or work as course convenor or organiser you gain knowledge which enhances patient care or leadership and technical skills (including, for example, giving presentations, teaching sessions or mock examining) credits can be claimed as an ‘Experiential Learning Event’.

CPD users can now freely select and record the number of credits for all their CPD activities. For Experiential Learning Events, a Reflection is required to claim the selected credits. In addition, 1 or 2 credits can be claimed for an action following the learning (1 credit for a simple action, 2 credits for a complex action). To claim credits for an action, the individual needs to demonstrate how they have applied their learning to their practice, the service they provide and/or the potential impact of the learning.

For those who prefer to follow RCOG recommendations, the CPD Framework still provides a suggested number of credits that can be claimed for different CPD activities.

Further information can be found in the RCOG CPD Framework document.

• To champion the Core Knowledge online courses and their value as an educational resource in women’s health
• To be responsible from a clinical perspective for the content and quality assurance of the 97 Core Knowledge courses, ensuring that the content remains up-to-date and current (through clinical author updates, peer-review and consultant sign-off)
• To act as a point of contact for user queries on the clinical content/feedback on the courses for which they are responsible
• To work with the Education Resources Adviser and internal College team to ensure that the Core Knowledge courses support the RCOG Core Curriculum, and help to make any required changes or commission new resources if the Curriculum changes
• To make suggestions about how the Core Knowledge courses could be enhanced and developed
• To provide feedback on new digital initiatives that the College may be considering launching.

Three times a year

Education Board

Education Resource Adviser
Dr Aisha Janjua

Editors in Chief
Dr Sharifah Syed (Gynaecology)
Dr Aisha Janjua (Obstetrics)

Consultants
Dr Peter Hinstridge
Dr Erum A Khan
Dr Rachel Squires
Dr Ruvana Tabassum
Dr Sharmistha Guha
Miss Sunita Sharma
Dr Sarah Kitson
Dr Nimatullah Omoteso

Trainees
Dr Naila Khan
Dr Fiona Mackie
Dr Joshua Odendaal 
Dr Kelsie Sykes
Dr Greer Stuart
Dr Rohan Chodankar
Dr Snigdha Veeramalla
Dr Ben Simpson
Dr Hashviniya Sekar
Dr Stella Seppings
Dr Rayan Mohamed-Ahmed
Dr Katie Baxter