Q. How much time am I allowed to complete an ATSM?
A. There is no defined amount of time for completing an individual ATSM. Trainees should complete a minimum of two ATSMs during Years 6 and 7 in addition to meeting the core training requirements. ATSMs are competency-based so the time taken to complete an ATSM will vary depending on the trainee and the individual ATSM. It is felt that the two years of advanced training should be adequate for all core curriculum requirements to be met, in addition to obtaining the skills included in 2 ATSMs.
Q. When do I register for an ATSM?
A. You should register for the ATSM prospectively through the Postgraduate Training Department at the RCOG. You cannot register before the start of ST 6 or SpR 4. You should have planned which ATSMs you would like to (and are able to) do throughout training, especially towards the end of intermediate training. Discussion might usefully include your Educational Supervisor, the Lead Preceptor in the deanery for the specific ATSM, as well as your Deanery ATSM Director. Training in obstetrics and gynaecology is a continuum and there is no reason why trainees cannot develop knowledge and skills prior to formal RCOG registration, although this must not be at the detriment of acquiring the Year 3-5 Intermediate Skills described within the log book. As all ATSMs are competency based this could allow trainees to be signed off for ATSMs quicker (if the trainee has acquired the skills) following registration in Year 6. Registration and ATSM assessments can only occur in Year 6/7.
Q. I am a SpR or LAT trainee (year ST6/7 equivalent) – can I register for ATSMs?
A. ATSMs are open to ST, SpR and LAT (year ST 6/7 equivalent) trainees. As an SpR or LAT you do not need to complete ATSMs for your CCT, however you would benefit from ATSM training. RCOG promote ATSMs for trainees and will accept registrations (as set out on the ATSM Regulations page). You should discuss your training choices with the Deanery ATSM Director.
Q. I am in a career grade post – can I register for ATSMs? (Staff grades, Associate Specialists and Post CCT doctors, including consultants)
A. From 1st July 2010 career grade staff should register with RCOG for ATSM training. Prior to registration you should discuss your intention to undertake training as part of the job planning and appraisal process. You must have Clinical Director approval to ensure sufficient time, within your job plan, to undertake training. Additionally you must discuss your request to undertake ATSM training with the ATSM Director for your deanery. The ATSM Director will be able to advise if there are sufficient training opportunities within the deanery to allow you to train. ST trainees must complete ATSMs to gain CCT and this means that final year ST trainees will be given priority for ATSM training opportunities. However many deaneries report that they have additional training capacity. The regulations and forms are available on the website.
Q. Are there any ATSMs that are mandatory?
A. There are no mandatory ATSMs. All NTN trainees must undertake two ATSMs, in addition to the training requirements of the advanced log book, to gain their CCT or CESR (CP). In considering your choice of ATSM you should consider your own individual skills and the likely consultant job opportunities. As most trainees will aim for a general post with an element of out-of-hours labour ward commitment, it is recommended that trainees consider the ATSM in Advanced Labour Ward Practice.
Q. How many ATSMs can I register for?
A. You may register for any combination of ATSMs providing that they do not have a combined work intensity score greater than 3.0. Each ATSM will have a score of either 1.0 or 2.0 depending on its size and complexity. Once an ATSM is completed a further ATSM may be taken (if resources allow) providing the new total work intensity score does not increase beyond 3.0. The total number of ATSMs that you complete will therefore depend on the combinations that you choose and your speed of progression through the competencies.
Q. Is there a maximum number of ATSMs that I am allowed to do?
A. Only two ATSMs are required to meet CCT requirements. The training capacity within your department is likely to determine how many ATSMs you can complete. You must liaise with your local ATSM Preceptors and ATSM Director before registering for ATSMs to ensure that sufficient supervision can be provided. Preceptors must ensure all trainees have the opportunities that they need to achieve their CCT before offering additional opportunities to others.
Q. Am I allowed to register for more than one ATSM at the same time?
A. You can register for two (or even three) ATSMs simultaneously providing the work intensity score is no greater than 3.0. You are encouraged to register for these ATSMs at the beginning of ST6. It is acknowledged that delivery of many of the ATSMs may require longer than 12 months. Competencies are likely to accrue under more than one educational supervisor and across more than one unit so early registration is advised.
Q. Can I undertake ATSMs concurrently?
A. Yes, you are encouraged to gather skills concurrently in those ATSMs for which you are registered. This process is helped by the work intensity score limit which aims to prevent trainees from undertaking an unrealistic concurrent ATSM workload. Your choices should be discussed with the relevant ATSM Preceptors and ATSM Director. The Deanery ATSM Director is the individual who co-ordinates the allocation of trainees to ATSM placements - On occasions this may mean that trainees can only undertake ATSMs consecutively rather than simultaneously, but this should be checked with the Director.
Q. Do I have to do a particular course for an ATSM?
A. The knowledge criteria for ATSMs will be supplemented by attendance at suitable meetings or courses. Some ATSMs have a “mandatory requirement” that trainees attend suitable course/courses. For other ATSMs, it is “highly recommended” that a trainee attend a suitable course/courses. The College offers courses which are run in conjunction with Specialist Societies (the bodies which assist in the development of the curricula). These courses are tailored to the requirements of the ATSM, however, other courses may be suitable as appropriate for the ATSMs (as long as the course content matches the requirements stated in the appendix of the ATSM. These are presented with each ATSM on the RCOG website). The ‘suitability' of any specific course should be confirmed by your ATSM preceptor. This is vitally important as you should ensure that the course you attend is appropriate educationally. Additionally, if a course is mandatory for completion of ATSM you must attend the course before submitting the final completion form to RCOG. ATSM courses are valid if attended no more than three years prior to completion of the ATSM.
Q. What is the latest I can register for an ATSM prior to being awarded my CCT?
A. The previous restriction on trainees preventing registration within 6 months of CCT has been removed. To award CCT or CESR (CP) requires completion of 2 ATSMs. Registration of further ATSMs close to the predicted CCT or CESR (CP) will not lead to an extension of CCT or CESR (CP) date and should only follow close discussion and career guidance to ensure that it does not hinder the completion of the necessary 2 ATSMs. There is no local requirement to provide more than a total of 2 ATSM to each trainee and the final decision will be made on an individual basis, at deanery level.
Q. If I am undertaking my ATSM during my period of grace can I register with the RCOG?
A. Only in exceptional circumstances should a trainee undertake ATSM training during their “period of grace”. Trainees should discuss requests for ATSM training during the “period of grace” with the ATSM Director. The final decision will be made on an individual basis at deanery level, after discussion with the Deanery ATSM Director and either Head of Postgraduate School or Postgraduate Dean. The deanery will not extend the period of grace if the module is not completed in time. You should be aware that priority will be given to those in advanced training (ST6/7) who are pre-CCT date to ensure completion of the two ATSMs required to gain CCT or CESR (CP). If approval is given to undertake ATSM training within the period of grace then trainees should register with RCOG.
Q. Which centres are recognised for the delivery of ATSMs?
A. ATSMs are designed to be delivered in both teaching hospitals and district general hospitals. Some ATSMs (such as abortion care, adolescent and paediatric gynaecology and advanced laparoscopic surgery for the excision of benign disease) will only be available in certain units. You should discuss ATSM options with educational supervisors early in training so that arrangements can be made for you to complete more specialist ATSMs in specific units.
Q. Who are the Preceptors for my ATSM?
A. You should contact the ATSM Director who will refer you to the ATSM preceptor. The ATSM Director has responsibility for the overall delivery of ATSMs within a Deanery/School. ATSM preceptors are specialists in their field of clinical expertise with experience in supervision and trainee assessments. ATSM preceptors are approved by the Deanery through the ATSM Director who co-ordinates the ATSM training within deaneries.
The preceptor is responsible for a specific ATSM(s) and will need to sign your initial registration form and completion form. The Preceptor will be able to advise on the suitability of courses.
Whilst some ATSMs will be completed at a single unit with a single Preceptor, increasingly ATSMs may be achieved while working over more than one hospital attachment. This will necessitate 2 ATSM Preceptors being involved in offering and assessing training. It is recommended that the Preceptor in the final training unit complete the final submission to the College.
Q. If I am a subspecialist, can I register for an ATSM?
A. Relevant ATSM programme content is covered within the subspecialty programmes so there is no need (or benefit) for a subspecialty trainee to be additionally certified as having completed an ATSM within their chosen subspecialty. Unless there is a strong recommendation and explanation from the relevant Subspecialty Training Programme Supervisor, subspecialty trainees should not register for ATSMs. Further more detailed guidance is available.
Q. I am an overseas trainee spending some time training in the UK . Can I undergo ATSM training?
A. You can undergo ATSM training. The ATSM Director will be able to advise if there are sufficient training opportunities within the region to allow you to train. Priority will be given to ST trainees who must complete ATSMs to gain CCT. However many regions report that they have additional training capacity . From 1st July 2010 , if the ATSM Director approves ATSM training, you must complete the registration form and register with RCOG. The regulations and forms are available on the website. If you do not meet the criteria to register with the RCOG your region may still offer training and on completion provide a certificate of equivalent training for your records. This certificate will not, however, count towards CCT or CESR (CP).