Pathways to Fellowship with the ACPS 

To be eligible to be awarded a Fellowship of the ACPS, individuals must demonstrate that they meet the applicable standards as set by the ACPS. There are a number of pathways by which this can occur. An individual may:

• Start as an ab initio Registrar and progress through the ACPS training Program; or

• Apply for advanced standing within the ACPS training Program, on the basis of prior surgical education, training and experience. Subject to verification and assessment of the candidate, the ACPS may grant the candidate advanced standing, which may then exempt them from some of the requirements of the training Program; and have pre-existing qualifications and experience, which in the opinion of the ACPS, meet the standards for Fellowship. In this latter case, subject to verification of credentials and any practical, written or oral examination assessment as deemed necessary by the ACPS, the individual may be granted Fellowship without further training (although there may be mentorship and/or other requirements put in place for a period of time as determined by the ACPS Council on a case by case basis).

All Fellows of the ACPS must meet the same minimum standards for Fellowship, irrespective of the pathway taken to meet those standards. It is important and appropriate that this process is open, transparent, and not subject to any exceptions. This approach provides:

• A public benchmark, which can be used by the health care system and the community to have confidence in the quality and competency of podiatric surgeons;
• A fair and equitable process for dealing with any individual who wishes to become a Fellow of the ACPS
• The opportunity for third party providers of education and surgical training to collaborate with the ACPS in order to prepare candidates to meet some of (or possibly all of) the standards required for Fellowship.

Introduction to the Training Program

The ACPS Training Program has a three-part structure, which takes a minimum of three years of full-time equivalent work to complete (although much of the assessment is competency-based, and so is not necessarily related to a fixed time period). Full-time equivalent is defined as a minimum of 38 hours a week for 48 weeks of a year. The principle features of the Training Program are as follows:

There is a substantial amount of structured, self-directed learning in the Training Program, and Registrars should anticipate that the Program will require a great deal of time and effort over a long period. A commitment of this type must be considered carefully (whilst taking into consideration all other work and personal responsibilities) by all prospective candidates before deciding to apply for entry into the Program. Potential candidates who are not based in a major city where Supervising Fellows are available will need to consider relocating to a suitable city for the duration of their training.

To be selected for a training position with the ACPS candidates must have confirmed eligibility for selection through the attainment of a list of minimum requirements. 

Overview of requirements for Podiatric Surgeons to achieve the qualification of Fellowship of the Australasian College of Podiatric Surgeons FACPS include:

• Minimum of 1970 logged teaching procedures in foot and ankle surgery;
• Examinations include: General Surgical Science Examination, Foot and Ankle Surgical Theory Examination, Skills lab, Multi Station OSCE;
• Medical & surgical specialty rotations;
• Two relevant publications in peer reviewed journals;
• International surgical /medical rotations (UK&USA);
• Principles of osteosynthesis and fracture management (Basic);
• Principles of osteosynthesis and fracture management (Advanced);
• Foot and Ankle Arthroscopy Surgical Skills Course;
• Minimally Invasive Foot and Ankle Surgery Course;
• Courses include: ALERT Acute Life-threatening Emergencies, Recognition, and treatment, Anaesthesia and PACU course,  Basic Surgical Skills Education and Training course (BSSET), Radiation safety course;
• Teaching modalities include:
  • Cadaveric dissection courses and assessment;
  • Sawbone/dry lab workshops; and
  • lectures case based discussions, peer review meetings.

# Refer the ACPS Fellowship training manual for detailed description.