Advanced Training Review | Background

On this page you will find background information about the Advanced Training Review (ATR)

The RCOG commissioned the ATR in 2020 in direct response to the GMC’s feedback on the 2019 curriculum submission and approval process. This recognised the need to substantially review and update both the advanced and subspecialty training component of the curriculum.

In October 2020, the ATR Steering Group was created specifically to oversee the submission of documentation to the GMC. The Steering Group reports directly to the Advanced Training Project Board. The outputs from the project are routinely reported to Curriculum Committees, SEAC and ultimately RCOG Council via the Education Board.

Obstetrics and gynaecology subgroups and working parties for each subspecialty, bringing together relevant clinicians, trainees and lay representatives, undertook the development of the SITM curriculum and revision of the four subspecialty curricula.

Particular effort was made to engage consultants working in both smaller district general hospitals and larger tertiary hospitals, in both special interest and subspecialty posts. The subgroups met on a monthly basis until the revised modules had been finalised.

The revised curriculum and recommended training pathway changes have been produced collaboratively with educationalists, trainees, SAS and LE doctors, heads of school, clinical directors and specialist societies.

Both public and patient involvement groups and the statutory education bodies have been crucial in providing meaningful feedback and engagement to ensure the 2024 curriculum can improve not only the quality and experience of training but patient safety and the health of women and girls.

Our ultimate aim is to achieve the scale necessary to deliver our ambition of improving women’s health and healthcare worldwide, through our global education, clinical quality and influencing abilities.

Drivers for change

The RCOG commissioned the Advanced Training Review (ATR) in 2020, recognising the need to review and update both the advanced and subspecialty training component of the O&G curriculum 2024.

We have delivered a review of the advanced training components which have been aligned to the GMC’s standards for postgraduate medical education, ‘Excellence by Design’ and ‘Generic Professional Capabilities’. 

The most important drivers for change were to revise our curriculum to meet the changing the needs of the population.

Governance

The ATR was developed and overseen according to the following governance structure:

• Education Board and RCOG Officers – responsible for formal sign-off of the GMC submission
• Specialty Education Advisory Committee (SEAC) – consisting of all UK heads of school, responsible for ensuring that the proposed revisions are deliverable, acting as regional champions and working with RCOG to help ensure successful implementation
• Clinical Champions Group – input and oversight of all clinical areas of development from senior RCOG educationalists
• ATR Project Board–governing body overseeing all project activities, including oversight and signoff of ATR documentation
• ATR Steering Group – responsible for development and evaluation of the curriculum development process
• Task and finish groups for key activities
• Focus groups with trainees, SAS & LE doctors, clinical directors, heads of dchool and TPDs, public and patient involvement groups

More information

For further assistance or questions, please get in touch with our team via email at curriculum@rcog.org.uk