Aims
The aim of the research component of the subspecialty training programme is to ensure and to demonstrate that the trainee is competent in the design and execution of a research study of sufficient quality to meet internationally recognised standards of research excellence such as those published in the MRC 'Good Research Practice 2000' document. The trainee should be able to demonstrate expertise in clinical and/or laboratory research methodology including the ability critically to assess research papers, design and run a research project, understand statistical methods and be aware of the ethical issues involved in research. In order to demonstrate such competency the trainee must either complete the research module of the subspecialty training programme or obtain exemption through published output.
The subject matter of the MD or PhD should preferably be relevant to the subspecialty of the trainee but research in other areas related to the specialty of Obstetrics and Gynaecology will be considered if it demonstrates the required competencies.
The first author papers in citable refereed MEDLINE journals need to be relevant to the subspecialty.
All applications for research exemptions will be peer-reviewed by the Subspecialty Committee.
Minimum Criteria for Research
The following would fulfil the above:
At completion of a three year programme
1. A research or academic programme which results in the award of an MD or PhD thesis 1
OR
2. Publication of two first author papers of original research in citable refereed MEDLINE journals 2,3 preferably, but not necessarily, arising from a dedicated period of research of at least one-year duration.
It is critical that the research component is planned at the outset of the programme and appropriately timetabled and monitored. The research year should not be the third year of the programme.
OR
Prior to commencing the programme
Research carried out could be considered for exemption if:
- It results in the award of an MD or PhD thesis 1 ; (desirable option but not mandatory)
- Or at least two first author papers in citable refereed MEDLINE journals 2,3
Where a trainee has completed a period of research prior to entry but has not yet fulfilled the criteria in terms of published output, the need for a three-year programme should be critically appraised at the first review.
Note - It is expected that trainees who have fulfilled the research criteria prior to entry will undertake research during the programme.
Failure to achieve the minimum research criteria
If a trainee reaches the end of subspecialty training and has not satisfied the research criteria, they will be offered an extension of up to six months in order to complete the research element. Any extension of the training programme will be at the discretion of the Postgraduate Dean. If the research criteria have not been satisfied at the end of this six-month period the Subspecialty Committee will not award subspecialty accreditation unless there are extenuating circumstances. Award of a general CCT will then be at the discretion of the Deanery STC although it is envisaged this may involve a further period of general training.
Notes
- An MD awarded from a university outside Great Britain or Ireland will be reviewed by two members of the RCOG Subspecialty Training Committee to determine if it is of a standard comparable to that acceptable in GB / Ireland.
- This excludes review articles (other than high quality systematic reviews, preferably Cochrane Systematic Reviews) and case reports.
- Based on review by the Subspecialty Committee an MSc/MPhil or other higher postgraduate degree, which encompassed a marked thesis, may be considered equivalent to one paper.
June 2011