FRANZCO

Fellowship of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Ophthalmologists

The RANZCO Training Program

It takes at least 5 years to complete the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Ophthalmologists Fellowship Training Program.

Basic Training 2 years

1. Structured terms in training hospitals in Australia and New Zealand.
2. Demonstrate integrated clinical skills and knowledge in the ophthalmic sciences (OS) – Examination and formal on job assessment
   1. Anatomy, physiology, optics, genetics, microbiology and virology, basic pathology, ocular pharmacology, ophthalmic instruments, and epidemiology.
3. Demonstrate ophthalmic basic competencies and knowledge (OBCK) – Practical Examination
   1. Mastery of clinical examination techniques; mastery of ophthalmic instruments; interpretation of symptoms; recognition of common clinical signs; compulsory wet lab experience.

Advanced Training 2 years

1. Demonstrate integrated clinical and surgical skills and knowledge in each of the following clinical practice areas:
   1. cataract and lens, clinical refraction, cornea and external eye, fundamentals, glaucoma, neuro-ophthalmology, ocular inflammation, ocular motility, oculoplastics, paediatric, refractive surgery, social and professional responsibility, vitreo retinal.
2. Trainees are required to demonstrate the competencies documented in the social and professional responsibility over the entire program
3. Success in formal on-job assessments
4. Advanced Pathology Examination (in year 3)
5. RANZCO Advanced Clinical Examination (RACE) (in year 4)
6. Demonstration of satisfactory training progress (supported by term supervisors' reports for all terms, and records of surgical experience)

Final Year

The trainee is expected to broaden his or her specialist experience in final preparation for specialist qualification and to function in the community as an independent ophthalmologist. The final year experience may be taken in Australia, New Zealand or overseas, preferably in an institution or program other than that at which the trainee completed the first four years.

Related, (overseas) qualifications:

MRCP, CCST