SITM Director
E-mail: benjamin.snowden@nhs.net
SITM
The following, adapted from RCOG SITM information, is for the benefit of Obstetrics and Gynaecology Specialty Trainees in Yorkshire and the Humber.
Please refer to RCOG SITM website for comprehensive information regarding SITMs.
Clinical practice in Obstetrics and Gynaecology covers a diverse range of subspecialist interest areas. It is therefore not possible for an individual to train to the same standard in all parts of the specialty. Therefore, in the last 2 years of the training programme, trainees undertake Special Interest Training Modules (SITMs) to develop the high-level skills they will need for a consultant post in their specialist area of interest.
SITMs are competence based; you complete a SITM by attaining all of the required competences. It is a mandatory requirement to complete two SITMs for the award of CCT.
The available SITMs are listed below. Refer to RCOG SITM site for further information on: curriculum, course syllabus, work intensity score, assessment forms and any other relevant information.
- Abortion care
- Acute gynaecology and early pregnancy
- Advanced antenatal practice
- Advanced labour ward practice
- Advanced laparoscopic surgery for the excision of benign disease
- Benign abdominal surgery: open and laparoscopic
- Benign gynaecological surgery: hysteroscopy
- Colposcopy
- Fetal medicine
- Forensic gynaecology
- Labour ward lead
- Maternal medicine
- Medical education
- Menopause
- Oncology
- Paediatric and adolescent gynaecology
- Sexual health
- Subfertility and reproductive health
- Urogynaecology and vaginal surgery
- Vulval disease
During ST4/5 years, you should discuss your SITM requirements with your respective locality Training Programme Director to enable local planning of educational programmes, appropriate hospital and workforce numbers.
If your preferred SITMis oversubscribed, trainees will be selected competitively, for example via structured interviews. You should therefore, as you progress in training aim to develop your Curriculum Vitae (CV) to support your potential interest area.
ATSMs are designed to be delivered within the normal working week at general district hospitals. You will need to ensure you spend more time in the relevant clinical areas, such as the labour ward, operating theatre, colposcopy clinic, etc. to obtain training while providing a service.
ATSM training is delivered by ATSM Educational Supervisors, ATSM Preceptors and ATSM Directors.
This document shows which Trusts can deliver each ATSM.
There are three levels of Supervision with your SITMs.
SITM Educational Supervisors
SITM Educational Supervisors undertake the day-to-day, hands-on training of trainees in any aspect of the curriculum.
SITM Preceptors:
SITM Preceptors are responsible for the deanery-wide provision and quality control of their SITM. They ensure the appropriate educational support is provided and assessments are performed. A list of the O&G SITM Preceptors in Yorkshire and Humber is available here.
SITM Director:
The SITM Director is responsible for all SITMs within the School of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, including the standard and delivery of training. The TPD liaises with the SITM Director to coordinate trainee attachments and to ensure all trainees fulfill their SITM requirements. The SITM Director acts as the link between the School and the RCOG and must sign all SITM registration forms.
To register for a SITM, you need to apply prospectively to the RCOG.
Before applying
- You should discuss your SITM plans with your locality TPD in your ST5 training year.
- All trainees need to consult with the SITM Director to confirm that training in the requested SITM is available
- Ensure that the hospital College Tutor is aware of your SITM training intentions and requirements.
Generic
- Applicants can register for more than two SITMs concurrently providing the work intensity score is no greater than 3.0.
- Applicants must have passed the MRCOG examination.
- Applicants must have completed the intermediate competences from the logbook.
- Trainees must obtain a satisfactory ARCP outcome from year 5 before registering for a SITM.
- For some SITMs, previous experience can contribute to the development of competence; however, the assessment of competence should only be performed following registration.
- For SITMs where completion of a theoretical course is mandatory, attendance at a suitable theoretical course must take place no more than 3 years before the SITM is completed.
Application process
- Complete the SITM registration form.
This includes obtaining signatures from the people involved in the specific SITM module:
- SITM Educational Supervisor(s) in charge of that SITM
- SITM Preceptor(s) with responsibility for that module
- Yorkshire and Humber O&G Director of SITMs
Signatures will only be provided on single original copies of the SITM registration form. If you are sending the form to the Director of SITM by post, please include your self-addressed stamped envelope for return postage.
Completion of a SITM
A SITM is complete once all of the components have been completed to the satisfaction of your ATSM Preceptor and ATSM Educational Supervisor.
- Once you’ve completed a SITM, you’ll need to complete the notification of completion of training form
- If you’ve switched curriculum during the SITM, you’ll need to complete the notification of completion of training form for trainees who’ve switched curriculum
- You’ll need to sign the form, and also obtain signatures from:
- Your SITM Educational Supervisor(s)
- Your SITM Preceptor(s)
- SITM Director
- Send the completed form to the Trainees’ Coordinator at the RCOG