The new pan-European post-specialty training curriculum in Paediatric and Adolescent Gynaecology

Abstract

Interest in the field of Paediatric and Adolescent Gynaecology (PAG) has increased substantially over the last decade. Currently there is minimal consensus on how to interpret and validate professional experience, medical knowledge and surgical skills for doctors (accredited in Obstetrics and Gynaecology) who have an interest in and wish to achieve sub-specialisation in PAG. The challenge for the future of PAG is to create a framework of guidelines and references which in turn culminates in improvement and harmonisation in PAG healthcare delivery.The development of a post-specialty training curriculum in PAG for accredited practitioners was a logical next step after EBCOG introduced the PACT curriculum for OBGYN trainees. The guiding principle in the development of the PAG curriculum has been to strive for harmonisation in teaching and training in PAG within Europe. The new EURAPAG curriculum is divided in 17 chapters which in turn have been subdivided into medical and surgical sections plus a baseline skills section. The content has been determined through a consensus procedure amongst European gynaecologists and trainees. The medical chapters involve pathology that requires conservative treatment, prevention, education or lifestyle adjustment. The chapters that are both medical and surgical have a surgical (alternative) treatment ranging from vaginal procedures to advanced hysteroscopic and laparoscopic procedures and laparotomy.Currently, the framework for any medical education is workplace based competency training. Specific tools have been developed for workplace based assessments, such as direct observation (DO) of clinical task performance, Objective Structured Assessment of Technical Skills (OSATS), mini-clinical evaluation exercise (Mini-CEX) or case-based discussion (CBD). To measure progress in this PAG post-specialty training curriculum, the subspecialty trainee will be required to maintain and update a portfolio of experience and competency.