Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists RANZCOG

The summer 2024 edition of O&G Magazine is now available to read online! Hear from Editor, Dr Talat Uppal, as she invites you to explore this issue focused on Digital Health. Discover how technology is revolutionising women’s healthcare—breaking down barriers, enhancing efficiency, patient care, and shaping the future of the industry. Explore the transformative impact of telehealth, the role of digital tools in maternity care, and how Australia’s cervical screening program is making strides in eliminating cervical cancer. The issue also highlights how healthcare professionals are navigating social media to raise awareness and combat misinformation. Read the full issue at https://lnkd.in/gvN958Xp and join the conversation in the comments.

Private obstetrics and gynaecology services are under significant pressure in Australia as a consequence of multiple factors including lower birth volumes, workforce challenges, rising costs for both patients and providers and systemic gender bias within insurance and funding. The decline of private O&G services could have a catastrophic impact on Australia's public system, which was designed to work in sync with private care. Last month RANZCOG convened a roundtable bringing together service providers, policymakers, insurers, and other market participants from the private sector to discuss urgent collective reform needed to protect these services, and women's choice. Participants listened to a series of topical presentations covering the current state of the industry, trends and insights, MBS Policy, provider compliance, amoung other themes. Discussions yielded a number of proposed solutions which are detailed in the College's Roundtable Report. Swipe to read RANZCOG's recommendations, and explore the full report at: https://lnkd.in/gmpMkhu4

Calling all advanced trainees and Fellows! Are you ready to take the next step in your O&G career and train to become a Subspecialist? RANZCOG offers 5 streams of Subspeciality training: ➡️ Gynaecological Oncology (CGO) ➡️ Maternal Fetal Medicine (CMFM) ➡️ Obstetrical and Gynaecological Ultrasound (COGU) ➡️ Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility (CREI) ➡️ Urogynaecology (CU) Applications for the 2025 Subspecialty Selection process (2026 entry) open on 15 January 2025 and close on 17 February 2025. Information for applicants is currently available on the RANZCOG website: https://lnkd.in/gRckBVTE

The Mercia Barnes Research Grant specifically supports Aotearoa New Zealand research with a focus on emerging and early career researchers. A total of $75,000 in funding is available for 2025 and applications are now open! Meet Dr Claire Henry - a former recipient who was part of the first team to investigate the use of EVs from cervical mucus as a way to diagnose, characterise and monitor gynaecological conditions, starting with endometriosis. This pioneering research provides the opportunity to build upon the self-test HPV swab program, improving equity in healthcare access. Eager to make your mark in women's health? Learn more about the grant and apply here: https://lnkd.in/gbdzSHJP

RANZCOG congratulates Professor Cindy Farquhar, the College's Dean of Research and Policy, and her team from Waipapa Taumata Rau, University of Auckland, on receiving the Health Research Council of New Zealand (HRC) Beaven Medal for their influential research in gynaecology and fertility. Their groundbreaking work includes a trial on endometrial scratching, which demonstrated no benefit for IVF success, leading to its discontinuation in some countries. Additionally, their efforts have contributed to the reintroduction of intrauterine insemination (IUI) as a highly effective, less invasive alternative to IVF, now endorsed by multiple international clinical guidelines. RANZCOG celebrates Professor Farquhar and her team’s dedication to advancing the treatment of fertility and gynaecological conditions which has transformed clinical practice worldwide, providing women with improved access and outcomes. #RANZCOG #womenshealth #ivf

Last week, RANZCOG's Obstetrics and Gynaecology Education and Training (OGET) Program continued in South Australia. OGET brings together multidisciplinary teams from rural, regional and remote areas to receive training provided by a specialist, with the objective of ensuring the continued delivery of high-quality services in these areas. The College caught up with SA OGET Hub Lead, Dr Melanie Johnson, for an update on the program's impact so far. Swipe to read more. Government funding for this critical initiative is set to expire in February 2025. RANZCOG calls on the Hon. Mark Butler and the Department of Health and Aged Care to recognise the influence of programs such as OGET in maintaining obstetrics and gynaecology services in rural, regional and remote areas by extending their support. #OGET #RANZCOG #womenshealth

With the 2024 Continuing Professional Development (CPD) cycle ending on 31 December, RANZCOG encourages members and affiliates to complete logging their CPD hours on the CPD Portal – Integrate (https://lnkd.in/g5YcqarB) as soon as possible. Here are some ways to earn easy CPD hours in the final 3 weeks, or log hours on Integrate if you’ve already completed these activities: • Educational Activities Domain (EA): Attend courses, webinars, or engage in professional reading. • Outcome Measurement Domain (OM): Participate in case review and morbidity and mortality meetings, audits, or medicolegal work. • Performance Review Domain (PR): Operate with a peer or participate in Multidisciplinary Team Meetings. Use the templates on Integrate to log your CPD activities. For assistance, contact the CPD Support Team via email or phone, and let us know your two or three preferred times for a callback. Please note, support is available until 20 December and will resume on 6 January. #CPD #ProfessionalDevelopment #RANZCOG #CPDHours #CPDSupport

Last month, RANZCOG released its clinical guideline on "Screening and diagnosis of fetal structural anomalies, and chromosome conditions."   Produced by a multidisciplinary guideline development group, this resource provides health professionals with evidence-based recommendations to inform decision making on prenatal screening and diagnostic testing in first and second trimester.    The primary aim is to empower women (through discussion with their clinician) with consistent, evidence-based information and a full understanding of the benefits and risks associated with different prenatal screening options. The guideline prioritises autonomy, enabling women to choose the screening care pathway that aligns with their needs and preferences.    It also replaces three preexisting RANZCOG statements with one centralised guideline which considers the latest outcome data to guide best practice. The guideline is available on the College's website: https://lnkd.in/g4wCCw4k Featuring Chair, C-Obs 35 Guideline Development Group, Professor Lisa Hui

This week RANZCOG proudly participated in the Pacific Region Indigenous Doctors Congress 2024 (PRIDoC24), held on Kaurna Country (Adelaide, South Australia). The biennial congress brings together Indigenous doctors’ member organisations from across the Pacific, including AIDA, ‘Ahahui o nā Kauka, Association of American Indian Physicians, Indigenous Physicians Association of Canada (IPAC), Medical Association for Indigenous People of Taiwan (MAIPT), and Te Ohu Rata O Aotearoa (Te ORA). The event provides a vehicle for Indigenous physicians and medical students to network, discuss topics of mutual interest, share scientific advances and best practices and traditional knowledge to further the health and well-being of communities. The theme for PRIDoC2024 is Ngadluku Warra, Ngadluku Tapa Purruna, Ngadluku Purruna (Our Language, Our Culture, Our Health), focusing on striving towards a healthier future for all our communities, together. RANZCOG remains committed to our journey of improving health outcomes in a culturally safe way for Māori and First Nations people with our Te Rautaki Māori me Te Ara Whakamua and Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP). PRIDoC is a safe space for our Indigenous members and trainees to come together for colloquial support, to meet practitioners across the Pacific Rim, and share knowledge and experiences to strengthen connections with each other and with country. #RANZCOG #IndigenousHealth #PRIDoC24 #IndigenousDoctors #MāoriHealth #FirstNations #PacificRegion

Established earlier this year, The Academy of Clinician Educators (ACE), a RANZCOG initiative, is committed to fostering excellence in clinical education across Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand. ACE supports clinician educators by providing professional development and networking opportunities, resources, and promoting knowledge sharing to drive innovative teaching practices. Registrations are now open for the next upcoming ACE Workshop focusing on: “Ideas to Improve Engagement in Learning?” The workshop will take place online on 11 December 2024. This interactive session offers participants the chance to earn 1.5 CPD hours, providing an ideal opportunity to conclude the current CPD cycle on a high note. Presented by Dr Belinda Lowe and Dr Ben Symon, this workshop will explore practical, evidence-based strategies to enhance learner engagement in clinical education. Not an ACE member yet? Joining is free and simple for RANZCOG members. Sign up and register for the workshop in one seamless step. Don’t miss this opportunity to expand your teaching toolkit and maximise your CPD hours. Learn more and register today: https://lnkd.in/gV26R-JR #ACEWorkshop #LearningEngagement #CPD #ProfessionalDevelopment