Training site accreditation
Accreditation – the basics
Hospitals and private sites that would like to offer training in orthopaedic surgery must apply to AOA for accreditation of one or more training positions. AOA assesses each training site on a range of criteria to ensure that the site is appropriately equipped to provide education and training opportunities in accordance with the curriculum and AOA 21 Training Program requirements. Hospitals are assessed against the criteria specified in the
AOA Accreditation Standards for Hospitals and Training Positions.
Accreditation is changing
As you are probably aware Accreditation of Training Sites is changing. In 2023, the National Health Practitioner Ombudsman (NHPO) released a report which included a number of recommendations relating to increasing consistency across colleges, improving transparency in accreditation processes and improving collaboration in the space.
Over the past year, AOA has participated in the working group for the NHPO review of medical training accreditation. At a national level, a set of model accreditation standards and procedures for all medical colleges has now been developed and approved by ministers for roll out across the next few years. There has been a strong focus on working towards standardised terminology and assessment processes and AOA is taking the opportunity to align this work with the outcomes from the AOA 21 Review.
We will be gradually introducing changes to bring our accreditation processes into line with the new model standards and procedures. More information on the NHPO Project is available here.
Accreditation standards
The AOA Accreditation Standards for Hospitals and Training Positions have been developed to ensure that all orthopaedic training sites meet the appropriate standards for delivery of the AOA 21 Training Program. The Standards document outlines the standards and criteria considered essential for the learning environment of orthopaedic surgery trainees. All hospitals, orthopaedic surgery departments and training positions will be assessed and monitored according to these standards.
The primary aims are:
- to ensure the collective delivery of education and training is appropriate for a doctor to achieve specialist registration in orthopaedic surgery; and
- to promote continuous quality improvement of training sites accredited for this purpose.
The AOA
Accreditation Standards for Hospitals and Training Positions can be downloaded from the link below.
The accreditation review process
Detailed information regarding the AOA Accreditation Review Process can be found in the document below.
Accreditation Procedures
For more information on applying for accreditation of a new training position, please contact the AOA accreditation team (details below).
List of accredited hospitals and training positions
A list of all hospitals and training positions currently accredited for delivery of AOA 21 training are available for review. This list is subject to change.
AOA accredited training sites and positions
Role descriptions for AOA positions
Contact
For more information regarding accreditation, please contact the AOA accreditation team.
Phone: 02 8071 8000
Email:
accreditation@aoa.org.au
Concerns or complaints?
AOA understands that training environments are complex, with many factors subject to regular change. If you have concerns about the outcome of your review, if the accreditation team has missed important information, or if an error has been made, please reach out to the AOA accreditation team on the details above as soon as possible. Accreditation is an iterative process; the Accreditation Committee will consider additional information at the earliest opportunity.
If you are seeking an accreditation decision to be overturned or changed following exhaustion of exchanges with the Accreditation or Federal Training Committees, you should seek this outcome through the
AOA Reconsideration, Review and Appeals Policy.
AOA welcomes feedback on the Accreditation process, and this can be submitted at any time on the details above. To lodge a formal complaint regarding the conduct of the Accreditation process please refer to the
Complaints Handling Policy.
Information about making a complaint to the National Health Practitioner Ombudsman regarding training site accreditation is available on the
Complaints to the National Health Practitioner Ombudsman re Accreditation PDF.
AOA staff are available to assist with navigating these processes as needed. Please contact us on the details above should you have any questions or concerns.