FPAA National Certificate in Reproductive & Sexual Health for Doctors
This course is for medical and nurse practitioners who wish to expand their knowledge and develop their clinical skills in reproductive and sexual health, including contraception, cervical screening, sexually transmissible infections (STIs), menopause, men’s sexual health, common gynaecological conditions, and other topics in reproductive and sexual health. Clinical attachment will be offered to successful registrants of the theory component.
Description
Delivery method
Blended:
- Minimum 20 hours up to 30 hours of online pre-reading
- 3 day face-to face course in Brisbane with optional Implanon NXT® training
- OPTIONAL: Minimum 6 clinical attachment sessions in your chosen True clinic (Brisbane, Ipswich, Toowoomba, Rockhampton, Cairns), plus a self-sourced men’s health session completed within 12 months of attending the theory course
Cost
$1,942.50 for theory and assessment only
$3144.75 for theory, assessment, and clinical attachment
Who should register?
Medical practitioners and nurse practitioners who wish to upskill in the area of reproductive and sexual health.
Eligibility
- Qualified medical practitioner or nurse practitioner
- MBBS or equivalent - GPT3 (General Practice Term 3) or above, currently working in general practice
- Medical Board of Australia registration
- Current indemnity insurance (if registered to undertake the clinical attachment component)
- Up-to-date COVID-19 vaccination status in line with current government guidelines
Prerequisites
Prior to attending the course, all registered participants must:
- Complete the online pre-reading (minimum 20 hours up to 30 hours)
Prior to undertaking the clinical attachment, all registered participants must:
- Attend the 3-day course in full
- Pass the written and role play assessments
- Submit a copy of their current medical indemnity insurance
- Provide a copy of their Implanon NXT® certification
Course overview
This course is comprised of three (3) components:
1. THEORY
The online pre-reading and course content is designed to provide participants with sound evidence-based knowledge in reproductive and sexual health, with the opportunity to discuss issues from their own clinical practice.
- Minimum 20 hours up to 30 hours of online pre-reading completed prior to attending the face-to-face course
- 3 day face-to-face course in Brisbane with optional Implanon NXT® training
- Some theory topics covered at the course include:
- Contraception methods
- Facilitating contraceptive choice
- Communicating about sexuality
- Sexual function
- Menopause
- Common gynaecological problems
- Unplanned pregnancy options
- Fertility, sub and infertility
- Sexually transmissible infections (STIs)
- Men's and transgender women's health
- Sexual assault
2. ASSESSMENT
The content for this assessment is drawn from the online pre-reading and face-to-face course content.
- Role play assessment - 60% pass mark required
- Written (multiple choice and short answer) assessment - 70% pass mark required
Clinicians who complete the theory and assessment components of the course (not the clinical attachment) will obtain a Statement of Completion for the FPAA National Certificate in Reproductive & Sexual Health for Doctors - Theory and Assessment.
3. CLINICAL ATTACHMENT
To obtain the full FPAA National Certificate in Reproductive & Sexual Health for Doctors, the clinical attachment must be completed. The clinical attachment is undertaken at the clinic location you have registered for. Clinical training places at each clinic location are very limited and your flexibility with training dates is required.
- Clinical attachment will take place within 12 months of attending the face-to-face course
- Minimum 6 clinical training sessions at True plus a self-sourced men's health session
- Please see the FAQs at the bottom of the page for more information regarding the clinical attachment component
Course program
This course program is a guide only and is subject to change. The below is a brief outline of the topics covered on each day of the course and will reinforce topics covered in the online pre-reading.
Assessment
Assessment will be based upon full attendance, a short answer and multiple-choice case study-based written exam, and clinical role plays to assess sexual history taking and communication skills. Participants are required to pass 70% of the written and 60% of the role play scenarios.
During the clinical attachment, participants will be required to meet 19 clinical competencies.
Resources
The following resources will be provided to course participants:
- Online reading and videos
- Workbook for activities and note-taking
- Clinical attachment portfolio (if undertaking the clinical attachment component of the course)
Course outcomes
Upon completion of this course, you should be able to:
- Describe and identify reproductive and sexual health issues
- Demonstrate expertise in clinical examinations and procedures in the field of reproductive and sexual health
- Discuss issues with patients in sexual and preventative health care and be able to explain approaches to management
A Statement of Attendance will be issued upon successful completion of the theory component of the course.
A Statement of Completion will be issued upon successful completion of the theory and assessment components of the course.
The full FPAA National Certificate in Reproductive & Sexual Health for Doctors will be awarded upon successful completion of the theory, assessment, and clinical attachment components of the course.
CPD information
The theory and assessment components of the course are a CPD Accredited Activity under the RACGP CPD Program. The clinical attachment component of the course is a CPD Accredited Activity under the RACGP CPD Program.
The theory and assessment components of the course are an accredited activity under the Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine (ACRRM): Professional Development Program. The clinical attachment component of the course is an accredited activity under the ACRRM: Professional Development Program.
Catering information
Morning tea, lunch, and afternoon tea provided.
Payment policy
When registering for the FPAA National Certificate in Reproductive & Sexual Health for Doctors course:
- Payment must be made within 1 business day via credit card
- You may select invoice as the payment method, but this must be paid via credit card by clicking the "Pay online" link on the invoice
- Registration will be cancelled if payment is not received within 1 business day from registration
- Payment is required to secure a place in the course
Notification of cancelled registrations will be emailed to the participant. True is not responsible for travel or other costs resulting from cancelling unpaid registrations.
FAQ
1. I want to complete the full FPAA course (theory, assessment, and clinical attachment) but there are no places left. Can I complete the theory and assessment part of the course now and register separately for a clinical attachment in the future?
The clinical attachment component of this course must be undertaken within 12 months of completing the theory and assessment components. Therefore, True does not offer registration in the clinical attachment on its own. You may undertake the theory and assessment components with True and complete the clinical attachment component with another Family Planning Organisation (FPO) within a 12-month period. You will need to contact the FPO in your selected state or territory to arrange for a clinical attachment (fees and arrangements may vary).
2. Will clinical attachment be offered for the May 2024 intake?
Dates will be offered across all Queensland clinics to successful registrants of the theory component in March 2024. Please contact CEU if you have any questions.
3. I would just like to attend the theory. Is it compulsory for me to complete the written and role play assessments?
Completing and passing the written and role play assessments is required to obtain a Statement of Completion for the FPAA National Certificate in Reproductive & Sexual Health for Doctors - Theory and Assessment and CPD points.
4. How long does the pre-reading take to complete?
There is approximately 20-30 hours of online pre-reading to achieve before the face-to-face course. The online content is comprehensive and includes supplemental (optional/extra) information as well.
5. Is it possible to transfer to another clinic location for the clinical attachment once I have registered?
Clinics can accommodate a limited number of training placements per year. True is unable to transfer your clinical placement location.
6. How long will it be before I am contacted with my clinical attachment training dates?
Clinical training will occur within 12 months of attending the face-to-face course. You will be contacted by the clinic you have registered to attend to determine training dates within 12 months.
7. I only have one day off per week and want to complete my clinical training on that day only. Will the clinic fit in with me?
Trainer availability in each clinic location differs. Our clinics will endeavour to offer you dates that are agreeable to you; however, your flexibility is required to ensure the process is as efficient as possible.
8. Where should I go for my men’s health session? Is this arranged by True?
The men's health session is self-sourced and not organised by True. The men's health session may be observational only and can be arranged at a sexual health clinic with a good male patient mix, with a urologist or other men's health specialist, or with a GP colleague with a high number of male patients with reproductive and sexual health needs.
9. Does the clinical attachment include IUD insertion training?
No. IUD insertion training is a separate course and will not be covered during your FPAA clinical attachment.
10. Is the FPAA course a prerequisite to do IUD insertion training?
Not necessarily. To be eligible for IUD insertion training you must have extensive experience in contraceptive counselling, women's health, and gynaecology. Undertaking the FPAA course may help consolidate this experience; however, it is no longer a mandatory requirement.