FRACS

Fellowship of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons

The RACS Training Program

Fellowship training with the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons takes a minimum of 5 years.

Basic Surgical Training (BST) 2 years

During BST junior surgeons acquire skills in basic surgery, clinical assessment and the use of diagnostic modalities.

The BST Program is comprised of four compulsory training and assessment components.

1. Online Resources
   1. Multiple Choice Questions Practice Bank (MCQs)
   2. Case Studies
   3. Resource Units
   4. Discussion Forum
   5. Image Bank
2. Clinical Placements
   1. Core Surgical Rotations 1 year
   2. Emergency Medicine 10 weeks
   3. Intensive Care Unit Rotations 8 weeks
   4. Elective Rotations 7 months
3. Skills Training
   1. Early Management of Severe Trauma (EMST)?
      1. Mandatory
   2. Care of the Critically Ill Surgical Patient (CCrISP)?
      1. Mandatory
   3. Australian and New Zealand Surgical Skills Education and Training (ASSET)?
      1. Mandatory
   4. Critical Literature Evaluation and Research (CLEAR)?
      1. Mandatory for general surgery, urology and otolaryngology
   5. Statistics for Surgeons Workshop?
      1. Optional
4. Examinations
   1. Surgical Science Examination (replacing the Basic Science Examination in October 2008)
   2. Clinical Examination
5. Specialty Examinations
   1. OPBS (Orthopaedic Principles and Basic Science)
   2. PRSSP (Plastic and reconstructive Surgical Science and Principles)
   3. Paediatric Examinations (Anatomy and Pathology)

Advanced Surgical Training

The Royal Australasian College of Surgeons works in collaboration with the Specialty Associations and Societies to deliver surgical education and training in the nine surgical specialties listed below. Advanced trainng usually takes 4 years after Basic Surgical Training is completed.

• Cardiothoracic surgery (4 years)
  Australasian Society of Cardiac and Thoracic Surgeons
• General Surgery (4 years)
  General Surgeons Australia
  New Zealand Association of General Surgeons
• Neurosurgery (6 years)
  Neurosurgical Society of Australasia
• Orthopaedic Surgery (4 years)
  Australian Orthopaedic Association
  New Zealand Orthopaedic Association
• Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery (4 years)
  Australian Society of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery
  New Zealand Society of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery
• Paediatric Surgery (4 years)
  Australian Association of Paediatric Surgeons
• Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (4 years)
  Australian Society of Plastic Surgeons
  New Zealand Association of Plastic Surgeons
• Urology (4 years)
  Urological Association of Australia and New Zealand
• Vascular Surgery
  Australia and New Zealand Society for Vascular Surgery

Requirements vary between specialties, although they usually include:

• Specialty Fellowship Examinations
• Supervisor Reports
• Research / Project Components
• Courses