Subspecialty training and academic careers.

Subspecialty training in obstetrics and gynaecology in the UK was formulated following a report published in 1982 by a working party established by the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists. One of the aims of subspecialization was to improve knowledge, practice, teaching and research. The three major subspecialties were maternal-fetal medicine, reproductive medicine and gynaecological oncology. The two minor subspecialties were urogynaecology 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; collaboration 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 complete the general and subspecialty training. There is a strong academic input in this training and it includes structured research training. Many of the individuals who complete the subspecialty training will take on national responsibilities and hence their clinical and research training is of the highest quality.