Obstetrics and gynaecology is fundamentally a surgical specialty.  The end result of surgical training is the product of ‘native ability’ at the commencement of training and the training itself.  How should the College select the most ‘gifted’ future specialists?

Efforts to improve procedural training remain a key area of activity for the College.  All acknowledge the changes in “quantity” of training brought about by influences including ‘safe working hours’, reduced utilisation of overseas experience and increasing recourse to medical management of conditions that had previously required surgery.  While it is easy to be critical without offering solutions, the College has determined on a number of strategies to improve procedural training. 

One such strategy, amongst the many that have the College’s focus, will be the increased utilisation of simulation.  The e-Portfolio continues to progress with ‘electronic’ logging of all training procedures planned for the 2016 training year.  It is envisaged that, with the availability of detailed information on the specific procedures, their complexity and the quantum available to trainees at any given site, hospital allocation of trainees will be adjusted to capitalise on the best available training opportunities.