Gynaecological Oncology Surgical Training

Gynaecological oncology is a highly specialised field, involving professionals from a large number of disciplines who collaborate to care for patients with gynaecological cancers.

Gynaecological surgeons looking after patients with gynaecological cancers require advanced training so they can obtain the necessary skills to do their job. There are two main pathways for obtaining these advanced skills the Special Interest Training Modules (SITMs) in oncology and subspecialty training in gynaecological oncology.

Subspecialty Training
The training involves a placement within a cancer centre accredited for subspecialty training for an indicative period of two years. The clinical training includes time spent with related disciplines such as colorectal surgery, urology and clinical and medical oncology. To be awarded CCT all subspecialty trainees must also complete the generic and specialty-specific CiPs

Once sufficiently advanced in their specialist training, candidates may apply for subspecialist training in gynaecological oncology. Subspecialist training is administered by the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG) and subspecialty trainees are registered with and assessed by the RCOG. The training involves a placement within one of 27 cancer centres accredited for training for a period of two or three years. In a three year programme a proportion of time is dedicated toward research, while the rest is focused on clinical training, including short placements in related disciplines such as colorectal surgery, urology and clinical and medical oncology. Prior completion of the core obstetric and gynaecology training curriculum or equivalent is usually mandatory prior to entry into a subspecialty training programme.

Subspecialist training jobs are usually advertised through the NHS jobs https://www.jobs.nhs.uk website and entry into the programme occurs after a competitive selection process. Evidence of a long-term commitment to the specialty, outstanding surgical ability, leadership qualities, academic prowess and exceptional interpersonal skills are key in a successful application for subspecialist training.

For more details please refer to the links and contact details below.

Special Interest Training Modules (SITMs) in oncology
The Oncology SITM is paired with the foundation Gynaecological Surgical Care SITM. Through this SITM,  trainees will learn to assess and investigate women with gynaecological malignancies, and provide treatment or refer when appropriate. They will obtain the knowledge and skills to provide a comprehensive service, and to recognise when tertiary care is appropriate, preparing them to be a gynaecological oncology unit lead in the future. The three SITM CiPs make up three of the eight CiPs of the SST curriculum.

Trainees will require registration with the RCOG at commencement of the programme after confirmation by a clinical supervisor, local preceptor and regional/ deanery preceptor that the SITM can be provided. A certificate of completion is issued by the RCOG after satisfactory completion of the module. Training usually takes between 12 and 18 months to complete.

For more details please refer to the links and contact details below.

Continued Professional Development (CPD)
The BGCS supports many opportunities for continued professional development. These include the webinar/ webcast programme, podcast series (https://www.bgcs.org.uk/professionals/new-podcast-series/), Annual Scientific Meeting, Annual Trainers’ & Trainees’ Meeting and Gynaecological Cancer in the Cancer Unit meeting. Links and advertisements for these events can be found in the events section of the BGCS website. Trainee members of the BGCS have discounted registration at the Annual Scientific Meeting and the Annual Trainers’ & Trainees’ Meeting.

Annual Trainers’ & Trainees’ Meeting
The Annual Trainers’ & Trainees’ Meeting is usually held in January each year and is an opportunity for subspecialty registrars, specialty registrars and trainees with an interest in gynaecological oncology along with Gynaecological Oncology Trainers to meet and network with their colleagues and peers from different parts of the UK.

The meeting includes high quality lectures on current topics in gynaecological oncology and presentations with discussions on training matters. Along with networking time, the meeting offers those considering subspecialty training in gynaecological oncology an opportunity to meet Subspecialty Training Programme Directors from across the country.

Trainees based in England should have all their core course expenses covered with the traditional cap on study leave expenses having being removed in most deaneries. This meeting should be considered a core educational activity for those on subspecialty training programmes. Please contact your local deanery for more detail on these arrangements.

The BGCS Training Subgroup
The BGCS training sub group provides support for the RCOG Subspecialty Training Programme and the SITM training programme in Gynaecological Oncology for the mutual benefit of patients, specialists and subspecialty trainees in gynaecological oncology. The subgroup monitors the subspecialty training programme and advises the RCOG on training issues including training quality and training numbers.

Other Useful websites
General

Sub-specialty training FAQs
Download

SITM FAQs
Download

Colposcopy 

BSCCP information
https://www.bsccp.org.uk

RCOG Colposcopy SITM curriculum  
https://www.rcog.org.uk/media/wuafjwzf/sitm-colposcopy-vfinal.pdf

Professionals