Subspecialty training and academic careers

Subspecialty training in obstetrics and gynaecology in the UK was formulate d following a report published in 1982 by a working party established by th e Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists. One of the aims of sub specialization was to improve knowledge, practice, teaching and research. T he three major subspecialties were maternal-fetal medicine, reproductive me dicine and gynaecological oncology. The two minor subspecialties were urogy naecology and community gynaecology. Some of the requirements for training centres are adequate clinical workload, a programme which embodies teaching , training, research and audit, adequate staffing to support training; coll aboration with related disciplines and a programme director responsible for supervision and training. Each programme has a well-defined syllabus. The recruitment is based on expected needs. A minimum 7 years is needed to comp lete the general and subspecialty training. There is a strong academic inpu t in this training and it includes structured research training. Many of th e individuals who complete the subspecialty training will take on national responsibilities and hence their clinical and research training is of the h ighest quality.