Policy for Post-Fellowship Specialty Recognition in Paediatric Emergency Medicine

TA678 V2

 

Document Review

Timeframe for review:                every two (2) years, or earlier if required. 

Document authorisation:           Council of Education

Document implementation:       General Manager, Training

Document maintenance:            General Manager, Governance and Standards

 

Revision History

 

1. Purpose and Scope

This policy describes the principles and processes by which evidence of training, experience and credentials possessed by a FACEM, who achieved Fellowship prior to the introduction of the Paediatric Emergency Medicine (PEM) Joint Training pathway, may be assessed for the purpose of obtaining Stage 2 completion of the Joint PEM Training Program.

 

2. Explanation of Terms

2.1 Recognition of Training and Experience

FACEMs may be able to receive recognition of their training and experience (knowledge, skills, and competencies) in paediatric emergency medicine that were obtained prior to 2010, in order to be recognised as having met the requirements for completion of Stage 2 completion of the Paediatric Emergency Medicine Joint Training Program and therefore meet one of the requirements of eligibility for registration as a Specialist Paediatric Emergency Physician with the Medical Board of Australia.

The process assesses an individual's training and experience against the learning outcomes of the Paediatric Emergency Medicine Joint Training Program.  This assessment is achieved through a comparison of evidence supplied by the applicant against the requirements of the training program, to determine the extent to which that individual has achieved and maintained the minimum required learning and performance outcomes.

 

3. Principles for Assessment

Validity

The evidence of knowledge, skills and other competencies should be relevant to the Paediatric Emergency Medicine Joint Training Program.  Validity of the knowledge, skills and other competencies is assessed through alignment with the learning outcomes of the Paediatric Emergency Medicine Joint Training Program, and consideration of content, level of training and clinical/medical experience.

Authenticity

The evidence of knowledge, skills and other competencies must clearly be those of the applicant and the information supplied in the application must be true and accurate.

Currency

The evidence of knowledge, skills and other competencies obtained prior to 2010 should be applicable to the current Paediatric Emergency Medicine Joint Training Program. The application must also contain evidence that these have been maintained and further developed since 2010.

Reliability

Reliability refers to the consistency or reproducibility of the competency(ies) in question.  The assessment tools used to provide evidence of possession competency(ies) should be reliable and comparable to that used in the Paediatric Emergency Medicine Joint Training Program.

Equivalence

Equivalence requires that the evidence of knowledge, skills and other competencies have substantial comparability to that associated with the Paediatric Emergency Medicine Joint Training Program.  The evidence of knowledge, skills and other competencies should be such that it demonstrates comparability in terms of content, breadth of experience, level of responsibility, rigour of training requirements, assessment process, supervision and credibility of training setting.

FACEM

In the context of this policy refers to current Fellows of ACEM who were elected to Fellowship prior to the introduction of the Paediatric Emergency Medicine Joint Training Program in 2010.

 

4. Applications

The application must be made in writing to the Committee for Joint College Training in Paediatric Emergency Medicine, and be accompanied by all required information and supporting documentation.

An application submitted under this policy must address the following:

(a)        Details of the applicant’s training and subsequent experience and practice as a Consultant, to demonstrate that they had previously gained the equivalent knowledge, skills and competencies of a current trainee completing stage 2 of the Joint Training pathway in regard to their Paediatric experience.  This includes the core components of Paediatric training as follows:

• 12 months of Paediatric Medicine;
• 18 months of Paediatric Emergency Medicine;
• 6 months Paediatric Intensive Care Medicine

(b)        Details of post-FACEM clinical experience and scope of practice.

(c)        Evidence of current or post-FACEM work in Paediatric Emergency Medicine.

(d)        Written recommendation from peers supporting the applicant’s request for recognition.

4.1 Eligibility

Unless an applicant can demonstrate the existence of exceptional circumstances to the satisfaction of the Committee for Joint College Training in Paediatric Emergency Medicine (CJCTPEM), the following criteria must be met for applications to proceed under this policy:

(a)        The applicant must have achieved Fellowship of ACEM prior to 2010, when the Paediatric Emergency Medicine Joint Training Pathway was introduced.

(b)        The training and/or experience that forms the basis of the application must have been completed prior to 2010.

(c)        The applicant must be currently working in a paediatric emergency medicine position.

(d)        The applicant must hold current medical registration.

(e)        The applicant must be an active participant in a CPD program relevant to the practice of PEM.

4.2 Documentation Required

An application under this policy must be accompanied by the following supporting documentation:

(a)        The applicant’s current Curriculum Vitae

(b)        A certified copy of any written in-training assessments relevant to the application, clearly showing the name and signature of the Supervisor of Training, details of the term, and site. If not available, evidence of competency in the learning outcomes as set out in the PEM curriculum and a summary of training undertaken in the core components, including relevant dates, supervisors and sites.

(e)        Details of the relevant training course/program, if applicable, including the objectives, content and outcomes of the associated curriculum.

(d)        Evidence of completed CPD activities that are directly relevant to the components of the Paediatric Emergency Medicine Joint Training Program undertaken since 2010.

(d)        Three (3) letters of recommendation from peers that support the applicant’s request for recognition of Stage 2 completion, and meet the following criteria:

• Two (2) letters of recommendation by Senior Paediatric Emergency Specialists;
• One (1) letter of recommendation by the Clinical Director of the department in which the applicant is currently working / applicant’s current PEM position (or most recent position where the applicant has been in their current position for less than three months).

(e)        Any additional documentation or information that may be specifically required by the CJCTPEM.

Any additional documentation required by the CJCTPEM, must be received at the College office within two months of the date of the request by the CJCTPEM being sent to the applicant.

 

5. When Recognition Will Not Be Considered

The circumstances in which applications for recognition will not be considered include, but are not limited to the following:

(a)        The application is incomplete (e.g. supporting documentation is not provided).

(b)        The recognition being sought does not comply with the necessary currency requirements described in this policy.

 

6. Assessment of Applications

6.1 Assessment Process

Assessment of applications will be completed by the CJCTPEM, which may delegate the assessment process to nominees approved by the Chair.

The CJCTPEM or its delegate will review the curriculum of the Paediatric Emergency Medicine Joint Training Program and, at its sole discretion, will determine if the training and/or experience submitted in the application is substantially comparable to the competencies expected to be gained by completion of Stage 2 of the training program.

6.2 Assessment Criteria

Applications will be reviewed using the following criteria:

(a)        Level of seniority of practice in Paediatric Medicine.

(b)        Length of practice in Paediatric Medicine.

(c)        Ability to provide evidence of competence in the domains of the curriculum of the Paediatric Emergency Medicine Joint Training Program.

(d)        Content of peer recommendation letters.

(e)        Other significant contributions to Paediatric Medicine, including research activities.

(f)         Evidence of currency and completed CPD activities that are directly relevant to Paediatric Medicine.

6.3 Notification of Outcome of Application

6.3.1    The CJCTPEM meet four times a year. Applications received will be considered at the subsequent meeting and, wherever possible, a decision regarding recognition will be made within 12 weeks of receipt of the application.

6.3.2    All applicants will be notified in writing of the outcome of their application.

 

7. Associated Documents

• ACEM Regulations: Regulation B - FACEM Training Program (see in particular Regulation B7)