ANZCA Diploma of Perioperative Medicine (DipPOM)
One of the key ways we're helping to provide patients in Australia and New Zealand with perioperative care is by creating a new qualification – the ANZCA Diploma of Perioperative Medicine (DipPOM) – that will enable specialist doctors such as anaesthetists, surgeons, physicians, intensivists, and general practitioners, to enhance their skills and knowledge in perioperative medicine.
Hear from some of the specialist clinicians involved in developing the diplomaAnaesthetists all over the world are driving the development of perioperative medicine as both a healthcare model and a clinical specialty. Collaborative efforts have developed an innovative approach to perioperative medicine education.
Although doctors from many specialities are starting to identify as "perioperative physicians", anaesthetists are by far the best placed practitioners to lead the development of this exciting new clinical field, due to their "ideal combination of training, skills, and experience." (Grocott and Pearse 2012)
As one of the largest specialist medical colleges in Australia and New Zealand, and the foremost authority on anaesthesia and pain medicine in each country, ANZCA is the logical leader of perioperative medicine. In 2018 we established a Perioperative Medicine Steering Committee (POMSC) comprising representatives from ANZCA, FPM, and other specialist medical colleges to reflect the diverse nature of the perioperative space.
In February 2018, ANZCA Council approved a vision for the perioperative medicine program which, with our strategic plan, will guide and inform our approach.
Structure of the diploma
We're developing a flexible and competency-based diploma that will be delivered in a hybrid model of online learning, workshops and clinical experience. The diploma can be completed in 12 months or up to 3 years.
The diploma curriculum and learning resources is based on the graduate outcome statement, our literature review, and the Perioperative Care Framework.
Our diploma is made up of six units of study:
- Preoperative assessment.
- Preoperative planning.
- Optimisation.
- Intraoperative impacts on patient outcomes.
- Postoperative assessment and management.
- Discharge planning and rehabilitation.

Our diploma’s course design is aligned with the ANZCA roles of practice – medical expert, communicator, collaborator, leader and manager, health advocate, scholar and professional.
If taken over 12 months, the diploma is made up of three trimesters with two units of study undertaken in each trimester. Each unit of study includes online learning, in person workshops and a clinical immersion component.
Mode of delivery
The DipPOM is designed as a hybrid model. Each unit of study consists of:
- 40 hours of online learning
- 40 hours of clinical immersion
- A one-day weekend workshop
Online learning
Online learning for each unit of study is delivered in a series of learning packages or modules. Each module has required reading, case scenario activities, reflections and knowledge checks.
The online learning platform or learning management system (LMS) is user-friendly and easy to navigate. Participants will be able to see their progress through the unit of study and completion of clinical based assessments (CBA). Although the learning modules are listed in sequence, the LMS enables the participant flexibility to work at their own pace to complete the modules in any order within the 10 week duration of the unit of study.
Clinical Immersion
Clinical immersion aims to provide the participant with the opportunity to explore examples of perioperative care as described in the ANZCA Perioperative Care Framework. Supervised by experience perioperative practitioners, participants will experience multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary team collaboration and gain insight into the knowledge, skills and behaviours required to deliver effective perioperative medicine services.
Our supervisor cohort is representative of various craft groups to reflect the cross-specialty nature of the diploma to support participants learning experience in the perioperative clinical setting.
Workshop
Participants will attend one day workshops, which are designed to complement the online and clinical immersion components, normally delivered on the weekend between week 7 and week 8 of the unit of study. Face to face attendance is recommended. Attendance via webinar can also be arranged where required.
The program for each workshop intentionally focuses on case based scenarios and reflects the unit of study content. In addition, the programs for units of study 1 and 2 have a communication emphasis. There are no assessments conducted during workshops.
Assessment methods
Learning outcomes and competencies for each unit of study are assessed in two formats:
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Knowledge checks and reflections based on activities in the online learning modules.
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Clinical based assessments (CBAs) conducted in the clinical setting or simulation environment. The CBAs for a unit of study are:
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5 Micro clinical assessment MCA
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A combination of Observation of clinical skills, Case analysis activity and Patient consultation observatio
Program dates
Our program dates for 2024 and 2025 have been released. We encourage all interested participants to look out for enrolment commencement information in ANZCA communiqués and bulletins. We will be considering applications during the enrolment period.
2024 program dates
TRIMESTER
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Trimester 1
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2024
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Enrolment period
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20 November 2023 - 21 January 2024
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Commencement/completion
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12 February 2024 - 28 April 2024
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Participant's workshop
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9 March 2024 & 10 March 2024
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Trimester break
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29 April 2024 - 26 May 2024
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|
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Trimester 2
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2024
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Enrolment period
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19 February 2024 - 28 April 2024
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Commencement/completion
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27 May 2024 - 11 August 2024
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Participant's workshop
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20 July 2024 & 21 July 2024
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Trimester break
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12 August 2024 - 15 September 2024
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|
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Trimester 3
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2024
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Enrolment period
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10 June 2024 - 18 August 2024
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Commencement/completion
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16 September 2024 - 1 December 2024
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Participant's workshop
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16 November 2024 & 17 November 2024
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End of year break
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2 December 2024 - 9 February 2025
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Award ceremony
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TBC
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For information on dates for 2025, contact periop@anzca.edu.au
Program fees
Program fees are due on submission of registration form. The current fees are listed below.
2024 fees
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Australia
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New Zealand
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Fee
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Fee AUD (exclude GST)
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GST (10%)
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Total fee (AUD)
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Fee NZD (exclude GST)
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GST (15%)
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Total fee (NZD)
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Registration fee
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$200.00
|
$20.00
|
$220.00
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$220.00
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$33.00
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$253.00
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2024 fee per unit of study
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$2185.00
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$0 (no GST)
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$2185.00
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$2360.00
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$354.00
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$2714.00
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Diploma completion fee
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$300.00
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$30.00
|
$330.00
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$330.00
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$49.50
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$379.50
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Pilot delivery
We will be conducting a pilot delivery in late 2023. This pilot will provide us with the opportunity to fine tune our processes and delivery methods, ensuring that the diploma is of the highest quality and meets the needs of our participants.
Recognition pathways
A recognition pathway is open to eligible practitioners across various specialties to apply for legacy transition to the ANZCA Diploma of Perioperative Medicine.
Find out more