Postgraduate Training Committee (PTC)

Function: To provide advice and guidance to the Council of the College and to the Dean of Education on all policy matters relating to postgraduate training.

Its key tasks and priorities include:

• • The development, design and implementation of a competency-based postgraduate training programme, including the development of appropriate outcomes, curriculum, instructional framework and assessment processes
  • The accreditation of training schemes
  • The development, design, and implementation of a formal e-learning and face-to-face teaching programme
  • The implementation of national recruitment systems for Basic Specialist Trainees & Higher Specialist Trainees
  • The development, design and implementation of the College’s Clinical Examination
  • Ensuring compliance with the requirements for postgraduate training specified in the Medical Practitioners Act, 2007 and in this regard working closely, collaboratively and in co-operation with the Medical Council, HSE National Doctors Training and Planning, and with the Forum of Postgraduate Training Bodies.

Sub-Committees of PTC (Report to Council via the PTC):

1. Examinations Sub-Committee (Chair – Chief Examiner) – Contact for committee Caroline Eager ceager@irishpsychiatry.ie
   This Sub-Committee has been established to:
   • • Develop and implement an Irish Exam at basic specialist training level (with initial priority of a clinical examination – the first ‘mock’ took place at the end of 2013)
     • Appoint and train a panel of examiners (including external assessors)
     • Develop and oversee an effective policy for appeals

    

2. Accreditation Sub-Committee (Co-Chaired by Dean and another member of PTC) – Contact for committee Kevin Costello kcostello@irishpsychiatry.ie
   This Sub-Committee has been established to:
   • • Ensure the quality of training posts (e.g. Accreditation of Schemes, Sites & Trainers, Develop Rules & Regulations, Delivery [Inspection combined with review of ARP data], Appeals)

    

3. Courses and e-Learning Sub-Committee – Contact for committee Aideen Butler abutler@irishpsychiatry.ie
   This Sub-Committee has been established to:
   • • Organise the development of course content
     • Co-ordinate the production of standalone e-modules for BST, HST, PDP and Consultants
     • Approve and make recommendations with regard to course learning outcomes
     • Decide which courses should be delivered as a training course with online content, and which courses should be delivered as standalone e-modules
     • Identify those suitable to deliver such course content
     • Implement quality assurance of all course content [includes assessment of content independent of those who developed it to ensure it is fit for purpose]. This includes review of feedback. This may be done in conjunction with the PCS Committee.

    

4. Child and Adolescent (CAP) Sub-Committee – Contact for committee Aideen Butler abutler@irishpsychiatry.ie
   This Sub-Committee has been established to:
   • • Provide guidance to the PTC on matters relating to Child & Adolescent psychiatry training.

    

5. Syllabus, Curriculum, & Annual Review of Progress (SCCAARP) Sub-Committee – Contact for committee Kevin Costello kcostello@irishpsychiatry.ie
   This Sub-Committee has been established to:
   • • Develop and improve the continuous assessment process and engage with and enhance curriculum development to ensure a high quality curriculum is developed and maintained.