Frequently asked questions

Q1.   What is the revised curriculum's proposed implementation date?

ANZCA Curriculum Revision 2013 is to be introduced for the 2013 hospital employment year.

Q2.   What is the duration of training under ANZCA Curriculum Revision 2013?

Five years and, so, will remain unchanged from the current curriculum. The years of training will be structured as follows:

Q3.   What will be the main training elements of the new curriculum?

         The four main elements of training for the revised ANZCA curriculum will be:

         i.   Core study units (completed during the basic and advanced training stages) will focus on enabling trainees to acquire knowledge, skills and professional attributes across the ANZCA roles and clinical fundamentals, which are common to all areas of anaesthetic practice.

         ii.  Specialised study units (completed during the basic and advanced training stages) will focus on enabling trainees to acquire knowledge, skills and professional attributes across the ANZCA roles and clinical fundamentals, which are specific to defined areas of anaesthetic practice.

         iii. Provisional fellowship training (completed during the provisional fellowship training stage) will focus on enabling trainees to acquire a fellowship level of knowledge, skills and professional attributes.

         iv. Clinical placements (undertaken during basic, advanced and provisional fellowship training stages) focus on providing trainees with clinical experience and to meet volume of practice (VOP)/workplace-based assessment (WBA) requirements specified in the study units.

Q4.   Will the revised curriculum 2013 continue to use 12 modules?

         No. The curriculum format will be three core units and 12 specialised study units to be completed within the first four years of training. In the fifth training year, trainees complete a unit called provisional fellowship training, which may only  be undertaken once all core and specialist units have been completed.

                             The core units are:

                             1. Introductory training.

                             2. Basic training.

                             3. Advanced training.

         The TOPIC areas covered by the core units will be:

         The  specialised study units focus on care of patients requiring:

          1.    Head and neck, ear, nose and throat (ENT) and dental procedures.

          2.    Ophthalmic procedures.

          3.    Neurosurgery and neuroradiology.

          4.    General surgical, urological, gynaecological and endoscopic procedures.

          5.    Thoracic surgery.

          6.    Cardiac surgery and interventional cardiology.

          7.    Obstetric anaesthesia and analgesia.

          8.    Vascular surgery and interventional radiology.

          9.    Orthopaedic surgery.

        10.    Intensive care.

        11.    Paediatric anaesthesia.

        12.    Plastic, reconstructive and burns surgery.

                 (NOTE: Study required, clinical experience optional.)                   

           Provisional fellowship training will consist of optional units which are pre-approved by the College and from which a trainee may choose OR a process by which a trainee may propose their own course of study requiring prospective approval by the College.

           The list of unit options could include further practice:

                        i. As a generalist anaesthetic specialist or in areas of sub-specialist practice.

                       ii. In specific settings such as rural, retrieval or overseas anaesthetic practice.

                      iii. In non-medical expert roles such as research, teaching or management.   

Q5.   When can I sit the primary examination?

         To be eligible to sit the primary examination, trainees must have completed all requirements of  introductory training, which would normally be completed six months into the ANZCA training program.

Q6.   When can I sit the final examination?

         To be eligible to sit the final examination, trainees must have completed:

                   i. All requirements of basic training; and

                  ii. At least six months in advanced training.

          The final examination needs to be completed before entry into the provisional fellowship training undertaken in the fifth year of training.

Q7.    What happens, if I have successfully completed the primary examination but have not yet commenced training?

          Transition strategies are being developed to ensure that the new curriculum's introduction will not disadvantage individuals who have not yet commenced training but have successfully completed the entire primary examination.

Q8.    What happens, if I am already part way through my training program when ANZCA Curriculum Revision 2013 is introduced?

          Transition strategies are being developed to ensure that existing trainees will not be disadvantaged or have their study programs disrupted by the introduction of the new curriculum.

Q9.    Will in-training assessment (ITA) become obsolete under the revised curriculum?

          No, the ITAs will continue and include new assessment processes.  The technology will be redeveloped for the revised curriculum

Q10.  Will the formal project be retained in ANZCA Curriculum Revision 2013?

          No, the formal project will no longer be part of the curriculum but there will be a variety of scholar role activities.

Q11.  Will trainees still have the option of choosing between the Effective Management of Anaesthetic Crises (EMAC) and Early Management of Severe Trauma (EMST) courses?

          No, under the revised curriculum, the EMAC course will become mandatory. The EMST course is encouraged but will only be mandatory for trainees unable to complete a trauma volume of practice (VOP) requirement.

Q12.  What can I do, if I have any further questions?

          Please contact curriculum@anzca.edu.au

All inquiries should be directed to the College in writing so they can be directed to the appropriate person.  

Trainees should note that individual circumstances relating to how they transfer to the revised curriculum will be considered in mid 2012.