Approximately 10 per cent of the RANZCOG's Fellows are subspecialists. These Fellows have gained certification in one of the five areas in which the College offers subpsecialty training:
- Gynaecological Oncology (CGO)
- Obstetrical and Gynaecological Ultrasound (COGU)
- Maternal-Fetal Medicine (CMFM)
- Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility (CREI)
- Certification in Urogynaecology (CU)
Subspecialty training can commence after being awarded Fellowship (FRANZCOG) or when a Trainee is in the last one or two years of Fellowship training.
History of the Subspecialties
The subspecialty training programs were introduced by the College to:
- improve knowledge, practice, teaching and research
- promote the concentration of specialised expertise, special facilities and clinical material that will be of considerable benefit to some patients
- improve the recruitment of talented graduates into areas of recognised subspecialisation
- establish a close understanding and working relationship with other disciplines
- encourage co-ordinated management of relevant clinical services throughout a region
- accept a major regional responsibility for higher training, research and audit in areas of recognised subspecialisation
- establish, as far as possible, consistency in recruitment, training and assessment across areas of recognised subspecialisation
Gynaecological Oncology (CGO)
Gynaecological Oncologists are specialists in obstetrics and gynaecology, awarded the FRANZCOG, who have completed a formal three year training program in gynaecological cancer care and have passed the examination for the CGO.
A certified gynaecological oncologist subspecialist is competent in the comprehensive management of women with a genital malignancy. She/he is competent in the comprehensive management of women with a genital malignancy. The subspecialist will work in gynaecology with at least 66% of the time in gynaecological oncology. She/he will submit themselves for recertification every three years, and only those actively practising will continue to be certified.
Maternal Fetal Medicine (CMFM)
A Subspecialist in Maternal-Fetal Medicine is a specialist in Obstetrics and Gynaecology possessing the FRANZCOG who has successfully completed an additional prescribed program of training in the area of Maternal-Fetal Medicine.
A certified MFM subspecialist should demonstrate advanced knowledge of the obstetrical, medical and surgical complications of pregnancy and their effect on both the mother and the fetus, and expertise in the most current approaches to diagnosis and treatment of patients with complicated pregnancies.
This activity requires advanced knowledge of the obstetrical, medical and surgical complications of pregnancy and their effect on both the mother and the fetus. It requires expertise in the most current approaches to diagnosis and treatment of patients with complicated pregnancies and also requires a setting where requisite technical support is available. Personnel with advanced knowledge of newborn adaptation are also necessary to ensure a continuum of excellence in care from the fetal to newborn periods.
A Subspecialist in Maternal-Fetal Medicine should spend the majority of his/her time in clinical work and have a clinical practice profile that demonstrates in excess of 80% of clinical time is spent in this sub-specialty area. Such a person must have a full time tertiary hospital base that satisfies the definition of a Maternal-Fetal Medicine unit. Activities conducted outside this base may be permitted where the primary purpose is teaching, research or administration in fields related to Maternal-Fetal Medicine.
Obstetrical and Gynaecological Ultrasound (COGU)
Obstetrical and Gynaecological Ultrasound subspecialists are specialists in Obstetrics and Gynaecology, awarded the FRANZCOG, who are trained and assessed as being competent all aspects of ultrasound diagnosis relating to obstetrics and gynaecology, including ultrasound guided interventional diagnostic and therapeutic techniques.
A certified COGU subspecialist is competent in all aspects of ultrasound diagnosis relating to obstetrics and gynaecology, including ultrasound guided interventional diagnostic and therapeutic techniques.
An obstetrical and gynaecological ultrasound subspecialist must spend at least 22 hours per week in obstetrical and gynaecological diagnostic ultrasound practice. It is desirable but not mandatory that he/she works part of this time in a "tertiary care" institution where the ultrasound department provides a comprehensive diagnostic service to general obstetrics and gynaecology and to the subspecialties.
Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility (CREI)
Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility subspecialists are specialists in Obstetrics and Gynaecology, awarded the FRANZCOG, who are trained and assessed as being competent in the comprehensive management of patients with reproductive endocrine disorders and infertility.
A certified subspecialist in REI is competent in the comprehensive management of patients with reproductive endocrine disorders and infertility.
A CREI subspecialist must spend at least 67% of his/her clinical time working in the area of their specialty, the remainder being split between obstetrics and gynaecology. At least part of this work must be within a professional setting that provides a comprehensive service for patients with infertility or gynaecological endocrine disorders (this may include private units as well as public hospitals.)
It is not intended that only persons with their CREI should treat infertile couples. It is probable, though, that specialists with this qualification will be leaders in this area and directors of assisted conception units.
Urogynaecology (CU)
Urogynaecologists are specialists in Obstetrics and Gynaecology, awarded the FRANZCOG, who are trained and assessed as being competent in the comprehensive management of patients with urogynaecological disorders.
A certified subspecialist in Urogynaecology is competent in the comprehensive management of patients with urogynaecological disorders.
A urogynaecologist subspecialist must spend at least 50 per cent of his/her clinical time working in the area of their specialty, the remainder being split between either obstetrics or gynaecology.
