In the ever evolving field of obstetrics and gynaecology, Mr Ian Scudamore, Vice President for Education at the RCOG, shares insights into the forthcoming launch of the new Curriculum 2024.
Over the past 15 years there have been major changes in clinical obstetrics and gynaecology practice and the roles expected of consultants. As requirements for high-quality patient centred care have developed, the jobs being advertised have changed dramatically. Recognising the dynamic nature of our speciality, RCOG has undertaken a three-year project to review and update the Advanced Training curricula (ATSMs, APMs, Sub specialities) to future proof O&G training.
I am delighted that our new Curriculum 2024 has now received formal approved by the General Medical Council and will launch in August 2024. Huge congratulations to all those involved.
We have created a curriculum that provides the framework for a flexible training programme necessary to cultivate versatile specialists that are able to meet the needs of the population. Furthermore, it was important to the College that the experience of trainees and learners was at the core, and create a programme that, supported progression and nurtured our workforce.
The key changes to the Curriculum 2024 include:
- Incorporation of the Advanced Labour Ward Practice and emergency aspects of the Acute Gynaecology and Early Pregnancy ATSMs into the adjusted 2019 Core Curriculum, which together with the revised Special Interest Training Modules (SITMs) and the introduction of Special Interest Professional Modules (SIPMs) and the revised 2019 subspecialty curricula will be called the 2024 Curriculum.
- Review and updating the previous ATSMs to reflect current practice.
- Introduction of some new SITMs, again to reflect changes in practice and the need to focus training on the skillsets that are going to be most useful for trainees in career planning and match them to the posts required for NHS service provision.
- Introduction of the opportunity to start the SITM/SIPMs and subspecialty training at the beginning of ST5, so that there will be three years in which the SITM/SIPMs and subspecialties can be completed. The three years is indicative time, which means that if trainees can demonstrate competencies across all the requirements for “sign-off” they may be able to complete training early.
- Alignment of the SITMs to Subspecialty Training (SST) so that if a trainee wishes to go on to SST the competencies they have already achieved will be able to count toward the SST.
The College’s current focus is on developing the materials that will be needed for implementation, as we are aware that trainees will be having discussions with their trainers about the SITMs they would like to be starting in August 2024, when we launch the new curriculum. Over the coming weeks we will be providing detailed advice about the transition to the new curriculum to Heads of School, Training Programme Directors and Educational Supervisors so that trainees can have informed discussions about what SITMs to choose depending on their individual career preferences and planning. We will be publishing careers guidance and resources for all leaners to support individuals through these changes.
We are confident that Curriculum 2024 does not just reflect current clinical practice; it is ready for what the future holds. It is about ensuring that the future leaders of our speciality emerging from this programme become the cornerstone of healthcare excellence.
To find out more about the O&G Curriculum 2024 click here.