Online courses on offer for surgeons

RACS professional development provides surgeons equitable opportunities for professional development regardless of their geographical location, through online learning. Our course mix comprises of: - solely face-to-face courses - face-to-face courses with an online option - courses that are offered only online. Several courses have been developed by the RACS Professional Development team and faculty. Courses with both face-to-face and an online options are:

Foundation Skills for Surgical Educators This is an introductory interactive course designed to expand knowledge and skills in surgical teaching and education. Participants look at how these concepts can be applied into their own teaching context and can reflect on their personal strengths and weaknesses as an educator. By attending the course, participants will be provided with opportunities to reflect on their own teaching skills and how likely they can influence their learners and the learning environment. Participants will also further their knowledge and skills in teaching, and learning concepts to enhance their skills in surgical education and apply these principles into their own teaching context.

Difficult Conversations with Underperforming Trainees This course aims to assist surgical supervisors to undertake a procedurally fair conversation with a Trainee who is not meeting required standards despite feedback. The course provides surgical supervisors with a comprehensive framework to follow, including how to prepare for and conduct the conversation and the steps to take after the conversation. The course builds on skills learned in the Foundation Skills for Surgical Education (FSSE) course, with a focus on how to prepare for and structure a difficult conversation. It also explores the role of trust in giving and receiving feedback and the importance of procedural fairness related to difficult conversations.

Online only courses

Clinical Decision Making This course is designed to enhance a participant’s understanding of decisionmaking process and that of their Trainees and surgical colleagues. The course starts with three online e-learning modules, followed by a webinar, which provides a roadmap or algorithm of how surgeons make decisions. This algorithm illustrates the attributes of expert clinical decisionmaking and was developed to address poor clinical decision-making processes as a guide for surgical supervisors dealing with a struggling Trainee or as a selfimprovement exercise.

Keeping Trainees on Track This course is self-paced and is designed to support SET supervisors and trainers with a suite of best practice tools and frameworks when managing underperforming Trainees and help them get back on track. The course framework is also designed to support well-performing Trainees—using the same principles, tools and frameworks to extend and foster their learning, and optimise their trajectory for development.

Induction for Surgical Supervisors and Trainers This course provides surgical supervisors and SET trainers with an introduction to their roles and responsibilities, including how to support and provide high-quality education and training to RACS Trainees. It is aimed at the newer surgical supervisors and trainers.

Educator Studio Sessions The Academy of Surgical Educators hosts several Educator Studio Sessions with speakers from Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand every year. Each session is for an hour, an online informative event curated to provide a deeper understanding of the issues, themes and topics that matter.

Education activities The Professional Development Program aims to support surgeons in all aspects of their professional life—encouraging professional growth and workplace performance. Lifelong learning through professional development can improve our capabilities and help us to realise our full potential as surgeons as well as individuals.

Course (Online only) Keeping Trainees on Track Difficult Conversations with Underperforming Trainees Induction for Surgical Supervisors and Trainers Educator Studio Session Online Surgical Education Journal Club Foundation Skills for Surgical Educators Clinical Decision Making Leading Out of Drama Conflict and You Date

Thursday 1 September – Friday 30 September 2022 Monday 5 September – Sunday 9 October 2022 Tuesday 6 September – Tuesday 20 September 2022 Wednesday 14 September 2022 Tuesday 20 September 2022 Monday 17 October – Monday 28 November 2022 Wednesday 19 October 2022 Wednesday 16 November – Monday 28 November 2022 Thursday 17 November 2022