RACS launches mandatory training on discrimination

RACS launches mandatory training on discrimination, bullying and sexual harassment

Monday 11 July 2016
The Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (RACS) has launched new, online training on discrimination, bullying and sexual harassment.

Mandatory education on discrimination, bullying and sexual harassment for all Fellows, Trainees and International Medical Graduates is one of the core commitments of the RACS 2015 Action Plan: Building Respect, Improving Patient Safety.

The e-learning module – developed for surgeons, by surgeons – is designed to help surgeons identify discrimination, bullying and sexual harassment and give them the knowledge and skills to deal with it effectively.

The e-learning module is built into the RACS Continuing Professional Development (CPD) program. CPD points for surgeons who complete the e-learning module now will be credited in the 2016 year or automatically credited towards 2017 CPD requirements.

“Training surgeons and maintaining surgical standards in Australia and New Zealand is at the heart of all our work,” said RACS President, Mr Philip Truskett AM.

“This training will help give surgeons the skills and knowledge they need to operate with respect,” he said.

All RACS Council members have completed the e-learning module.

“We want all of our Fellows, Trainees and International Medical Graduates to do the 45 minute e-learning module as soon as they can,” Mr Truskett said.

“There is a clear link between respectful behaviour in operating theatres and improved patient outcomes. This training shows surgeons how their behaviour affects patient safety and what they can do to build a culture of respect,” Mr Truskett said.

The training forms part of the RACS Let’s Operate With Respectcampaign, which is a call to action for the 7,000 surgeons and 1,300 Trainees and International Medical Graduates in Australia and New Zealand.

Since it was launched in May 2016, College Fellows, Trainees and International Medical Graduates have shown overwhelming support for the campaign, which aims to get surgeons talking about these problems and support cultural change across the profession.

It marks the start of a new, long-term effort supporting the roll-out of the RACS Action Plan, which details the work RACS is doing in education, complaints management and culture and leadership.

You can find more information on the RACS Action Plan: Building Respect, Improving Patient Safety and Let’s Operate With Respectcampaign in a dedicated section of the RACS website.

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