Qualifications in Obstetrics and Gynaecology

Previously Obstetrics and Gynaecology Specialists were represented by

• The Australian Regional Council of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists [RCOG UK] (formed in 1947)
• The Australian Council of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists [RCOG UK] (formed in 1966)
• The Royal Australian College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists [RACOG] (formed in 1980)

As a result of these varied Collegiate name changes - there exists a number of alternative Memberships, Fellowships and Diplomates in Australaisa. In Australasia patients requiring Obstetric/Gynaecology serivces may be treated by an accredited GP obstetrician (Diplomate), a Specialists Obstetrician, Specialist Gynaecologist or in a Shared Care Programme.

• Obstetrician
  • Physician qualified to provide medical care before, during and after childbirth
    • Examine pregnant women throughout their pregnancies to ensure that they are progressing well and that good health is maintained, and advise and treat pregnant women for special health conditions brought about by their pregnancy
    • Deliver babies through normal procedures or by caesarean section
    • Examine mothers and babies after childbirth to ensure there are no complications or, if there are, refer them to other specialists, such as to paediatricians (children's doctors)
• GP Obstetrician [Diplomate]:
  • A Diplomate of the RANZCOG is a general practitioner who has obtained and maintains a Diploma of the RANZCOG, using the letters 'DRANZCOG', 'DRANZCOG Adv' or 'DipRACOG' after his or her name. 
• Specialist Obstetrician:
  • In Australia or New Zealand is a registered medical practitioner who is a Fellow of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RANZCOG) 
• Shared Care Programme:
  • A programme set up with the appropriate structures and guidelines by a LOCAL hospital unit, a specialist obstetrician or a GP obstetrician in conjunction with LOCAL GPs or midwives to facilitate the shared care in a safe and acceptable manner
• Gynaecologist
  • A gynaecologist is a doctor who specialises in women’s health. More specifically they manage the medical and surgical problems that affect women’s reproductive and urolological systems.

Qualifications and Recognized Post-Nominals The Royal Australian and New Zealand college of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists training program is a 6 year structured post-graduate program which leads first to certification as a Member (MRANZCOG) of the College and then to certification as a Fellow of the College (FRANZCOG). Fellowship of the RANZCOG is the only post-graduate qualification which leads to recognition as a specialist obstetrician / gynaecologist in Australia or New Zealand.

• MRANZCOG
  • Member of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists
  • The qualification awarded to a trainee, subject to approval by Council, who has satisfactorily completed all assessment requirements for the 48 months of prospectively approved MRANZCOG training, including In-hospital Clinical Assessment modules, and the MRANZCOG Written and Oral Examinations
  • A Member (MRANZCOG) may be elevated to the Fellowship (FRANZCOG) only after all six years of training have been credited to the Member by the College Training Accreditation Committee
• FRANZCOG
  • Fellowship of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists
  • The qualification awarded to a trainee, subject to approval by Council, who has satisfactorily completed all assessment and administrative requirements for the designated 72 months of MRANZCOG/FRANZCOG training.
• MRCOG [UK]
  • Member of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists [UK]
  • Members of the College must be fully qualified doctors who have passed all parts of the Membership examination having fulfilled the regulations regarding training and are subsequently admitted to the Membership at a meeting of Council. Members are entitled to use the designatory letters MRCOG
• FRCOG [UK]
  • Fellow of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists [UK]
  • The award of the Fellowship is not merely a reflection of a time interval since passing the Membership examination but it also implies a continued contribution to the specialty and a maintenance of standards and practice. It is a mark of senior status and not a recognition of completion of training.
  • Fellows are elected each year from the Membership and should normally have been members for at least 12 years and have made a significant contribution to obstetrics and gynaecology by research, teaching or publications. Fellows are entitled to use the designatory letters FRCOG

Subspecialty Certificates

• CGO – Certification in Gynaecological Oncology
  • Subspecialty training of three years’ duration in the treatment of genital malignancy undertaken after completing the MRANZCOG
• COGU – Certification in Obstetrical and Gynaecological Ultrasound
  • Subspecialty training of three years’ duration in ultrasound undertaken after obtaining the MRANZCOG
• CMFM – Certification in Maternal Fetal Medicine
  • Subspecialty training of three years’ duration in fetal physiology and pathology undertaken after obtaining the MRANZCOG
• CREI – Certification in Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility
  • Subspecialty training of three years’ duration in the treatment of reproductive endocrine disorders and infertility undertaken after obtaining the MRANZCOG
• CU – Certification in Urogynaecology
  • Subspecialty training of three years’ duration in the field of urogynaecology, undertaken after obtaining the MRANZCOG

Diplomas

• DRANZCOG
  • Diploma of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetrics and Gynaecology
  • Awarded from October 1995
  • A diploma qualification for general practitioners who wish to obtain further post-graduate training in obstetrics and family planning.
  • This is a diploma qualification involving a six-month training program for general practitioners/residents who wish to provide shared ante and postnatal care with specialist obstetricians, GP obstetricians or a specialist hospital.
  • Requires 6 months of approved training; completion of the DRANZCOG Logbook; completion of the DRANZCOG Written and Oral Examinations.
  • Compulsory continuing professional development in women’s health is required.
• DRANZCOG Advanced [DRANZCOG Adv]
  • Advanced Diploma of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists
  • Attainment of skills in advanced obstetrics and gynaecology practiced predominantly by rural GPs.
  • This Diploma requires an additional six-month training program after completing the DRANZCOG, offering extended training for GP obstetricians in addition to the skills obtained through the DRANZCOG program.
  • Requires DRANZCOG; 6 months of approved training; completion of the DRANZCOG Advanced Logbook and completion of five written case studies.
  • Compulsory continuing professional development in women’s health is required.
• DipRACOG
  • Diploma of the Royal Australian College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists
  • Awarded prior to October 1995
  • No continuing professional development required
  • This Diploma has been replaced by the new RANZCOG Diploma (DRANZCOG). The deadline for conversion from the old Diploma (DipRACOG) to the new Diploma (DRANZCOG) was 31 December 2005 as defined by the Joint (JCCO).
  • In March 2007 the JCCO through the RANZCOG, RACGP and ACRRM Councils decided that the option of converting from the DipRACOG to the DRANZCOG should no longer be available and that current holders of the old DipRACOG who wish to hold the DRANZCOG should now be required to complete the DRANZCOG training program, including satisfactory completion of the Written and Oral Examinations.
• DRCOG
  • Diploma of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists [UK]
  • The DRCOG examination is aimed at doctors, and especially GPs, who wish to certificate their knowledge and interest in Women's Health.
  • The DRCOG is equivalent to the DRANZCOG with College reciprocity.
  • The DRCOG is a Diploma examination for doctors training to become general practitioners (family doctors) who wish to include obstetrics and gynaecology as part of the service they provide. Those doctors that complete the training programme and satisfy the examination requirements are entitled to use the designatory letters DRCOG after their name.
• D (Obst) RCOG [D Obst RCOG]
  • Diploma of Obstetrics Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists
  • Prior to the establishment of the RACOG in 1978, the basic training in obstetrics for GPs was the D (Obst) RCOG from the RCOG in the United Kingdom.
  • This Diploma is no longer offered in the UK or in Australasia and has been replaced by the DRANZCOG and the DRCOG respectively
• CSCT
  • Certificate of Satisfactory Completion of Training
  • Training in ante-natal care only.
  • Discontinued on 31 December 2001

Colleges/Societies/Associations

• RANZCOG - Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists
• RCOG - Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists [UK]
• RNZCOG - Royal New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists

Useful Links

• AAVIS: Multidisciplinary Pelvic Floor Society
• ADIPS: Australasian Diabetes in Pregnancy Society
• AMS: Australasian Menopause Society
• ANZICA: Australian and New Zealand Infertility Counsellors Association
• ASPOG: Australian Society for Psychosocial Obstetrics and Gynaecology
• AGES: Australian Gynaecologiocal Endoscopy Society
• FSA: Fertility Society of Australia
• GAIN: Gynaecological Awareness Information Network
• GCS: Gynaecological Cancer Society

Locate an Obstetrican, Gynaecologist or GP Obstetrician in Australia

• Find an Obstetrician in Australia
• Find a Gynaecologist in Australia
• Find a GP Obstetrician in Australia