SET PROGRAM IN NEUROSURGERY CURRICULUM

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Curriculum Overview

The overall objective of the SET Program in Neurosurgery is to produce competent independent specialist neurosurgeons with the experience, knowledge, skills and attributes necessary to provide the communities, health systems and professions they serve with the highest standard of safe, ethical and comprehensive care and leadership.

The Board has developed a new Regulations Handbook for the SET Program in Neurosurgery. The Regulations Handbook is currently in draft format and will be introduced formally with the commencement of the new SET Program for 2008. Section 3 of the Regulations Handbook relating to the Curriculum Components and Standards. Section 3 covers the following areas:

 

1. Curriculum Philosophy and Objective
2. Syllabus Modules
3. Performance Standards
4. Curriculum Components and Performance Standards for SET1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6

 

SET Program Competencies

To achieve this overall objective, competencies of a gradating trainee have been developed in the College competency areas of medical expertise, technical expertise, judgement, communication, collaboration, management and leadership, health advocacy, scholar and teacher and professionalism. The competencies are provided in the Neurosurgery Statement of Competence below.

Neurosurgery Statement of Competence

 

Learning Outcomes and Syllabus Modules

The competencies have been integrated into specific learning outcomes at differing levels which are aligned with the syllabus modules and curriculum components. The learning outcomes are delivered by a number of learning methods and opportunities as outlined in the curriculum including structured educational programs, skills courses, self directed learning and workplace hands on service learning and exploration.

The syllabus modules topics are shown below. Trainees and some categories of NSA members can access the syllabus modules using the left hand 'Syllabus Modules' menu option. If this menu option is not displayed you are not logged in or are not eligible to access this information.

1. Clinical Neurology
2. Infection
3. Neuroanaesthesia
4. Neuroanatomy
5. Neuro-oncology
6. Neuro-opthalmology
7. Neuro-otology
8. Neuropathology
9. Neuropharmacology and Neurochemistry
10. Neurophysiology
11. Neuroradiology
12. Nuclear Medicine Operative Neurosurgery
13. Paediatric Neurosurgery and Developmental Neurology
14. Pain
15. Perioperative Care
16. Peripheral Nerve Disorders
17. Psychiatry and Neuropsychology
18. Spinal Surgery
19. Statistics
20. Trauma
21. Vascular Disease

 

Assessment and Performance Standards

To assess the accomplishment of the learning outcomes multiple assessment tools and performance based standards are applied to determine the degree of progression towards the competencies and suitability to continue training.

The formative assessment tools and number of performance standards for each given year are summarised below. Detailed information is provided in the relevant sections of the Regulations. The number of performance standards each year for individual trainees may increase or decrease in accordance with the Regulations. Where indicated in the Regulations, some performance standards can be completed at an earlier stage of training or exemption granted through recognition of prior learning.

 

Assessment Tools	Performance Standards
	SET1	SET2	SET3	SET4	SET5	SET6
In Training Assessments	4	2	2	0	2	2
Research Assessments	0	0	0	2	1	0
Operative Requirements	2	2	2	0	2	2
Paediatric Requirement	0	0	0	0	1	0
Workplace Competency Assessment	1	3	4	0	4	2
Training Seminars	0	2	2	2	2	1
Skills Courses	2	1	0	0	0	0
Examinations	2	0	0	0	0	1
Totals	11	10	10	4	12	8