Introduction
Obstetrics and gynaecology is now so diverse that to attempt to train all trainees to the same standard in all parts of the specialty is unachievable and would lead to a cohort of new consultants with no developed expertise to any significant level in any area.
A series of ATSMs have been designed based on the skills required by the consultant of the future. Collecting a wide range of unrelated skills is no longer possible and realistic within the time frame of training and some of the skills may not be put to use. It is important to choose ATSMs based on the kind of consultant post that the trainee would like to do, bearing in mind the likely job descriptions of the posts to be appointed to in the next few years.
Trainees, as a minimum, will be expected to complete two ATSMs during the 2-year period.
The modules have been designed to equip trainees with the skills they will need for independent practice at consultant level. The signing up of the competences must NOT be a tick-box exercise. Many of the competences will be attained during service commitments and it will be rare for time to be ring fenced for their completion. The trainee will simply need to spend more time in the relevant clinical area e.g. the labour ward, operating theatre, colposcopy clinic etc and will obtain training while providing a service.
The choice of ATSM undertaken is very important, as the skills acquired will determine the special interest in any future consultant post.
There is a real work force requirement that the majority of new consultant posts in the next few years will be in obstetrics and therefore it is important that the majority of trainees undertake as a minimum the advanced labour ward module to ensure future consultants deliver high quality care in the Labour Ward..The advanced labour ward skills ATSM is therefore recommended for a combined obstetrician and gynaecologist or consultant obstetrics post.
It is envisaged that the successful completion of the relevant ATSM will become an essential criterion in the person specification for a consultant post. In ST4 and 5, the trainee should discuss within their deanery which modules they are considering to allow for local planning of educational programmes and workforce numbers. In some instances modules may be oversubscribed in which case trainees will be ‘selected' competitively, for example in a structured interview. The modules are practically based and many will not need additional protected time to complete. They are designed to be delivered at district general hospital level and delivered within the normal working week. Evidence of successful completion of at least two ATSMs will be required as part of the final assessment prior to being recommended for the award of the CCT. The ATSMs are designed to equip trainees with the skills necessary to be consultants with a special interest and the ATSMs studied should be grouped together to produce a coherent training strategy.
The trainees are encouraged to discuss (during years 4 and 5) their future ambitions with their careers adviser and the training programme director which will help them to select the appropriate ATSMs.
Registration of ATSMs
Trainees need to apply prospectively through the Postgraduate Training Department at the College to register for an ATSM.
Step 1
Download the requisite application form from the RCOG website.
Step 2
Obtain the necessary signatures relevant to the ATSM module:
- ATSM Educational Supervisors
- ATSM Preceptor
- Director of ATSMs within the deanery who will sign the form on behalf of the Chair of the Deanery Specialist Training Committee or School
Step 3
Submit the form to the Advanced Training Co-ordinator c/o the Postgraduate Training Department at the RCOG with the registration fee for each ATSM.
