2025 Learning, teaching, and assessment programs

Site: RACP Online Learning
Course: Advanced Training Curricula
Book: 2025 Learning, teaching, and assessment programs
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Date: Wednesday, 21 May 2025, 2:48 PM

Description

Advanced Training in Cardiology (Paediatrics & Child Health)

About this document

The new Advanced Training in Cardiology (Paediatrics & Child Health) curriculum consists of curriculum standards and learning, teaching, and assessment (LTA) programs.

This document outlines the Advanced Training in Cardiology (Paediatrics & Child Health) LTA programs for trainees and supervisors. It should be used in conjunction with the Advanced Training in Cardiology (Paediatrics & Child Health) curriculum standards.

Modified 2025 assessment program requirements

Responding to feedback from our educators that more time is needed to gain familiarity with our new assessment tools and technology, we've opted for a gradual start for the number of assessment tools for 2025.

For Advanced Training in Cardiology (Paediatrics & Child Health), for 2025 only, the number of assessments that trainees are required to complete has been reduced to:

  • 1 x learning capture every 3 months (4 total in 2025, reduced from 12)
  • 1 x observation capture every 3 months (4 total in 2025, reduced from 12)

Please note that these are the minimum requirements. Trainees are encouraged to complete additional observation captures and learning captures as part of each rotation if they are able as these will provide more information to inform progress decisions.

The learning, teaching, and assessment programs outlined below have been updated to reflect these modified 2025 requirements.

Program overview

Curriculum standards

The curriculum standards are summarised as 18 learning goals. The learning goals articulate what trainees need to be, do and know, and are assessed throughout training.

BE
  1. Professional behaviours
DO
  1. Team leadership
  2. Supervision and teaching
  3. Quality improvement
  4. Clinical assessment and management
  5. Management of transitions from paediatric to adult care
  6. Acute paediatric cardiac care
  7. Management of cardiac conditions from fetal to adolescence, including end-of life care
  8. Communication with patients
  9. Prescribing
  10. Procedures
  11. Investigations
KNOW
  1. Scientific foundations of paediatric cardiology
  2. Acute paediatric cardiac care
  3. Structural heart disease, including valvular and congenital heart disease
  4. Acquired heart disease
  5. Arrhythmias
  6. Genetic cardiac disorders

LTA structure

The learning, teaching, and assessment (LTA) structure defines the framework for delivery and trainee achievement of the curriculum standards in the program.

The program is structured in three phases. These phases establish clear checkpoints for trainee progression and completion.

Figure 1: Advanced Training learning, teaching, and assessment structure

An entry decision is made before entry into the program.

A progress decision, based on competence, is made at the end of each phase of training.

A completion decision, based on competence, is made at the end of the training program, resulting in eligibility for admission to Fellowship.

Entry criteria

Prospective trainees must have:

  • completed RACP Basic Training, including the Written and Clinical Examinations
  • general medical registration with the Medical Board of Australia if applying in Australia, or a medical registration with a general scope of practice with the Medical Council of New Zealand and a practising certificate if applying in Aotearoa New Zealand.
  • an RACP-accredited clinical training position for core Advanced Training in RACP Paediatric Cardiology.

LTA programs

The LTA programs outline the strategies and methods to learn, teach, and assess the curriculum standards.

Teaching

Assessment

Learning goals and progression criteria

Learning goals and progression structure

The learning, teaching, and assessment (LTA) structure defines the framework for delivery and trainee achievement of the curriculum standards in the Advanced Training program.

Advanced Training is structured in three phases. These phases will establish clear checkpoints for trainee progression and completion.

  • Orient trainees and confirm their readiness to progress in the Advanced Training program.
  • Continue trainees' professional development in the specialty and support progress towards the learning goals.
  • Confirm trainees' achievement of the curriculum standards, completion of Advanced Training, and admission to Fellowship.
  • Support trainees' transition to unsupervised practice.

Figure 1: Advanced Training learning, teaching, and assessment structure

An entry decision is made before entry into the program.

A progress decision, based on competence, is made at the end of each phase of training.

A completion decision, based on competence, is made at the end of the training program, resulting in eligibility for admission to Fellowship.

Advanced Training is a hybrid time- and competency-based training program. There is a minimum time requirement of full-time equivalent experience, and progression and completion decisions are based on evidence of trainees' competence.

Entry attributes

Prospective trainees can demonstrate:

  • a commitment and capability to pursue a career as a paediatric cardiologist.
  • the ability and willingness to achieve the common learning goals for Advanced Training:
    • team leadership
    • supervision and teaching
    • the professional behaviours, as outlined in the Competencies
Entry criteria

Prospective trainees must have:

  • completed RACP Basic Training, including the Written and Clinical Examinations
  • general medical registration with the Medical Board of Australia if applying in Australia, or a medical registration with a general scope of practice with the Medical Council of New Zealand and a practising certificate if applying in Aotearoa New Zealand.
  • an RACP-accredited clinical training position for core Advanced Training in RACP Paediatric Cardiology.

To progress to the next phase or to complete the program, trainees must demonstrate:

  • the ability to plan and manage their learning and to complete their learning and assessment requirements in a timely manner
  • achievement of the learning goals to the levels outlined in the learning goal progression criteria.

Training committees or delegated progress review panels will consider evidence supporting trainees’ achievement of the progression criteria and make progress decisions.

If criteria have not been met, committees or panels may decide to place conditions on trainees’ progression to the next phase of training or not to progress trainees until all criteria have been achieved.

Learning goals

The curriculum standards are summarised as 18 learning goals.

The learning goals articulate what trainees need to be, do, and know, and are assessed throughout training on a five-point scale. This scale determines the expected standard for each learning goal at the end of each training phase. Trainees must meet these standards to progress to the next phase or complete the program.

Learning and assessment tools are linked to the learning goals which allows trainees to demonstrate competence across each learning goal.

Be: Competencies (professional behaviours)

Level 1

Needs to work on behaviour in more than 5 domains of professional practice

Level 2

Needs to work on behaviour in 4 or 5 domains of professional practice

Level 3

Needs to work on behaviour in 2 or 3 domains of professional practice

Level 4

Needs to work on behaviour in 1 or 2 domains of professional practice

Level 5

Consistently behaves in line with all 10 domains of professional practice

Do: Entrustable Professional Activities (EPAs)

Level 1

Is able to be present and observe

Level 2

Is able to act with direct supervision

Level 3

Is able to act with indirect supervision (e.g. supervisor is physically located within the training setting)

Level 4

Is able to act with supervision at a distance (e.g. supervisor available to assist via phone)

Level 5

Is able to provide supervision

Know: Knowledge guides

Level 1

Has heard of some of the topics in this knowledge guide that underpin specialty practice (heard of)

Level 2

Knows the topics and concepts in this knowledge guide that underpin specialty practice (knows)

Level 3

Knows how to apply the knowledge in this knowledge guide to specialty practice (knows how)

Level 4

Frequently shows they can apply knowledge in this knowledge guide to specialty practice (shows how)

Level 5

Consistently applies sound knowledge in this knowledge guide to specialty practice (does)

Learning goals

Progression criteria

Specialty foundation

Specialty consolidation

Completion criteria

Transition to fellowship

Click or tap on the buttons below to find more information:
Be
Learning goals Progression criteria Completion criteria
Specialty foundation Specialty consolidation Transition to fellowship
1. Professional behaviours
Do
Learning goals Progression criteria Completion criteria
Specialty foundation Specialty consolidation Transition to fellowship
2. Team leadership: Lead a team of health professionals
3. Supervision and teaching: Supervise and teach professional colleagues
4. Quality improvement: Identify and address failures in health care delivery
5. Clinical assessment and management: Clinically assess and manage the ongoing care of patients
6. Management of transitions from paediatric to adult care: Manage transition of patient care from paediatric to adult medicine
7. Acute paediatric cardiac care: Assess and manage the care of acutely unwell patients
8. Management of cardiac conditions from fetal to adolescence, including end-of-life care: Manage and coordinate the longitudinal care of patients with complex cardiac conditions, including end-of-life
9. Communication with patients: Discuss diagnoses and management plans with patients
10. Prescribing: Prescribe therapies tailored to patients’ needs and conditions
11. Procedures: Plan, prepare for, perform, and provide aftercare for important practical procedures and investigations
12. Investigations: Select, organise, and interpret investigations
Know
Learning goals Progression criteria Completion criteria
Specialty foundation Specialty consolidation Transition to fellowship
13. Scientific foundations of paediatric cardiology
14. Acute paediatric cardiac care
15. Structural heart disease, including valvular and congenital heart disease
16. Acquired heart disease
17. Arrhythmias
18. Genetic cardiac disorders

Developmental & psychosocial training (Paediatrics & Child Health Division)

Developmental and Psychosocial (D&P) Training assists trainees to develop a sophisticated understanding of child development, encompassing physical, cognitive, emotional, behavioural and social areas, which should be gained from the perspective of the child within the family and in the context of the community.

Review of D&P

The College is working to redefine how D&P training will be embedded in the new training programs. This will include defining learning goals, and new options for trainees to achieve these learning goals, which will be embedded into the Basic and Advanced Training programs.

Alternative options for completing D&P training and a timeline for implementation will be communicated during 2025. New D&P requirements will be developed, and any updates will be included in the relevant curricula standards and learning, teaching and assessment programs. Trainees and supervisors will be informed of updates with sufficient notice of any changes to ensure no disadvantage.

Until alternatives are available, it is important that trainees plan to complete the requirement for D&P training through one of the time-based options currently available, to ensure eligibility for admission to Fellowship on completion of the requirements of Advanced Training. Trainees must satisfactorily complete this requirement to be eligible for admission to Fellowship under the Paediatrics & Child Health Division.

A mandatory period of D&P Training for all paediatricians was introduced to ensure that the changing nature of paediatric practice is reflected in the training programs.

Aotearoa New Zealand

The D&P training requirement can be met by completing a 3-month full-time equivalent rotation in relevant specialties. These areas reflect a holistic approach to the health problems of children and young people. An understanding of the roles and inter-relationships of many allied health and community-based services, in a way that distinguishes them from experience in organ-based specialties, is required.

Australia

Developmental & psychosocial (D&P) training is currently a time-based requirement consisting of a minimum of six months full-time equivalent (FTE) in one or more of the following areas:

  • Developmental / behavioural paediatrics
  • Community paediatrics
  • Disability / rehabilitation paediatrics
  • Chiold and adolescent psychiatry
  • Child protection
  • Palliative medicine

These areas reflect a holistic approach to the health problems of children and young people. An understanding of the roles and inter-relationships of many allied health and community-based services, in a way that distinguishes them from experience in organ-based specialties, is required.

Approved training options

  • Option A: A prospectively-approved psychosocial training position (6 months full-time equivalent). This can be completed as:
    • 2 x 3-month terms, or
    • 1 x 6-month block, or
    • a continuous part-time position, such as 2.5 days a week for 12 months (a conglomerate of experience for shorter time periods adding up to 6 months will not be accepted.)
  • Option B: A prospectively approved rural position (6 months full-time equivalent). Complete the 6 months of training comprised of a documented weekly program in the psychosocial training areas with an appropriate level of supervision.
  • Option C: Attendance at a prospectively-approved clinic AND completion of an approved learning module. The D&P training requirement can be completed in one of these formats:
    • 2 x sessions a week for 18 months, or
    • 1 x session a week for 3 years

    An approved clinic is determined to be a clinic where other health and/or educational professionals are involved, and supervision is directed by a paediatrician who is experienced in one or multiple areas of D&P Training, such as behaviour, development, rehabilitation and child protection.

    The approved learning module may be one of the following:

    • Evidence of attendance at a lecture series at a recognised institution, related to the D&P Training areas; or
    • 3 x referenced case reports/essays demonstrating comprehensive understanding of 3 different issues in the areas of psychosocial training – for example rehabilitation or community paediatrics (1500 to 2000 words each); or
    • Completion of the Griffith Mental Developmental Scales course.

    Other prospectively approved modules may be considered.

Apply

Contact or to apply for approval D&P Training.

Learning, teaching, and assessment requirements

Overview

What do trainees need to do?
What do trainees need to do?
When do trainees need to do it?
When do trainees need to do it?
Requirements over the course of training

Entry

Entry
  • What do trainees need to do?
    What do trainees need to do? 1 training application
    When do trainees need to do it?
    When do trainees need to do it? At the start of the specialty foundation phase. Due 28 February if starting at the beginning of the year and 31 August if starting mid-year.

Learning

Learning

Teaching

Teaching
  • What do trainees need to do? Nominate 1 research project supervisor
    When do trainees need to do it? Recommended to be nominated before the specialty consolidation phase.

Assessment

Assessment
  • What do trainees need to do? 1 research project
    When do trainees need to do it? Before the end of Advanced Training. Recommended submission before the transition to fellowship phase.
Requirements per phase

Learning

Learning
  • What do trainees need to do?
    What do trainees need to do? 1 rotation plan per rotation
    When do trainees need to do it?
    When do trainees need to do it? At the start of (or prior to starting) the rotation. Due 28 February for rotations in the first half or whole of the year and 31 August for rotations in the second half of the year.

Teaching

Teaching
  • What do trainees need to do? Nominate 2 supervisors per rotation
    When do trainees need to do it? At the start of each accredited or approved training rotation.

Assessment

Assessment
  • What do trainees need to do? 12 learning captures (reduced to 4 for 2025 only)
    When do trainees need to do it? Minimum 1 per month (for 2025 only, reduced to minimum 1 every 3 months).
  • What do trainees need to do? 12 observation captures (reduced to 4 for 2025 only)
    When do trainees need to do it? Minimum 1 per month (for 2025 only, reduced to minimum 1 every 3 months).
  • What do trainees need to do? 4 progress reports
    When do trainees need to do it? Minimum 1 every 3 months.

Entry application

Training application

Requirement

1 x training application, at the start of the specialty foundation phase.

Purpose

The training application supports trainees to:

  • confirm that they meet the program entry criteria
  • provide essential details for program enrolment, ensuring compliance with RACP standards
  • establishes a formal foundation for their training pathway, enabling access to program resources and support

The application form will be reviewed by the RACP staff. Trainees will be able to track the status of your application through the College’s new Training Management Platform (TMP).

Trainees can submit rotation plans and complete assessments while waiting for their application to be approved.

How to apply
Apply online

Trainees are to submit a training application for the program using TMP.

Due dates
28 February if starting at the beginning of the year.
31 August if starting mid-year.

Learning

Teaching

Supervision

Rotation supervisors

Trainees are to have 2 x supervisors per rotation, who are Fellows of the RACP.

No exemptions apply to dual trainees.

Nominating eligible supervisors

Trainees will be asked to nominate rotation supervisors as part of their rotation plan. Trainees are required to nominate eligible supervisors who meet the above requirements.

A list of eligible supervisors can be found on MyRACP. The list is not available for postFellowship trainees. Post-Fellowship trainees can contact us to confirm supervisor eligibility.

Research project supervisor

Trainees are to nominate 1 x research project supervisor over the course of Advanced Training. Recommended to be nominated before the specialty consolidation phase.

The research project supervisor guides trainees with their project choice, method, data analysis and interpretation, and quality of written and oral presentation.

More information about this role can be found in the Advanced Training research project guidelines.

Assessment

Assessment blueprint

This high-level assessment program blueprint outlines which of the learning goals (and associated curricula standards) could be and will be covered by the assessment tools.

Could assess could assess
Will assess could assess
Not applicable could assess
Professional behaviours

Learning capture

could assess

Observation capture

could assess

Progress report

will assess

Research project

will assess

Team leadership

Learning capture

could assess

Observation capture

could assess

Progress report

will assess

Research project

not applicable

Supervision and teaching

Learning capture

could assess

Observation capture

could assess

Progress report

will assess

Research project

not applicable

Quality improvement

Learning capture

could assess

Observation capture

could assess

Progress report

will assess

Research project

could assess

Clinical assessment and management

Learning capture

could assess

Observation capture

could assess

Progress report

will assess

Research project

not applicable

Management of transitions from paediatric to adult care

Learning capture

could assess

Observation capture

could assess

Progress report

will assess

Research project

not applicable

Acute paediatric cardiac care

Learning capture

could assess

Observation capture

could assess

Progress report

will assess

Research project

not applicable

Management of cardiac conditions from fetal to adolescence, including end-of-life care

Learning capture

could assess

Observation capture

could assess

Progress report

will assess

Research project

not applicable

Communication with patients

Learning capture

could assess

Observation capture

could assess

Progress report

will assess

Research project

not applicable

Prescribing

Learning capture

could assess

Observation capture

could assess

Progress report

will assess

Research project

not applicable

Procedures

Learning capture

could assess

Observation capture

could assess

Progress report

will assess

Research project

not applicable

Investigations

Learning capture

could assess

Observation capture

could assess

Progress report

will assess

Research project

not applicable

Scientific foundations of paediatric cardiology

Learning capture

could assess

Observation capture

could assess

Progress report

will assess

Research project

not applicable

Acute paediatric cardiac care

Learning capture

could assess

Observation capture

could assess

Progress report

will assess

Research project

not applicable

Structural heart disease, including valvular and congenital heart disease

Learning capture

could assess

Observation capture

could assess

Progress report

will assess

Research project

not applicable

Acquired heart disease

Learning capture

could assess

Observation capture

could assess

Progress report

will assess

Research project

not applicable

Arrhythmias

Learning capture

could assess

Observation capture

could assess

Progress report

will assess

Research project

not applicable

Genetic cardiac disorders

Learning capture

could assess

Observation capture

could assess

Progress report

will assess

Research project

not applicable


Roles and responsibilities

Advanced Trainee

Rotation Supervisors

Assessor

Progress Review Panel

RACP oversight committees