Prior to the formation of BreastSurgANZ breast surgeons completed unregulated and varied amounts of Post Fellowship training towards specialisation in breast surgery.

As a result, BreastSurgANZ introduced a formal process for regulating Post Fellowship Training. This process facilitates the training of future breast surgeons of Australia and New Zealand.

BreastSurgANZ works with recruiting hospitals to provide appropriate selection criteria for breast training. As of 2015 this recruitment process includes a centralised application, interview and allocation process.  Centralised applications occur once a year and are advertised widely.

The current BreastSurgANZ PFT Program is a two-year program.

The varying training positions include a range of breast oncology units, (cancer surgery) and breast reconstructive units (oncoplastic level 1 and level 2). Positions may also include training in endocrine surgery, surgical oncology and general surgical exposure.

A number of our units have strong academic focuses that will benefit the trainees.

ASPECTS OF THE TRAINING AND CONTINUED MEDICAL EDUCATION OF BREAST SURGEONS THAT FALL UNDER THE AUSPICES OF BREASTSURGANZ ARE:

• BreastSurgANZ has a Memorandum of Understanding with the RACS to provide content for the General Surgery Fellowship (SET training).
• BreastSurgANZ accredits funded PFT positions. We monitor the progress of training by regular feedback with supervisors and the fellowship trainee.

BreastSurgANZ members contribute to the Breast Quality Audit. There are agreed parameters of performance that are monitored and reported back to individual surgeons. A sub-committee of the Executive of BreastSurgANZ will review the practice of members who fall outside the recommended parameters of satisfactory performance.