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Basic Specialist Training
 

Obstetrics and Gynaecology

 

Overview

 

About BST in Obstetrics and Gynaecology

Basic Specialist Training (BST) in Obstetrics and Gynaecology is the first step towards specialisation in obstetrics and gynaecology.

Basic Specialist Training (BST) is a hospital-based training programme completed in Senior House Officer (SHO) posts. It prepares you for Higher Specialist Training (HST), which is the final stage of training.

Completion of the intern year is an essential entry requirement.

BST is structured so that you rotate to a different post every three or six months, letting you experience different subspecialties and clinical teams. All posts approved for BST in Ireland are full-time and salaried.

In addition to supervised clinical training in the hospital, you will need to complete exams and courses designed to help you to develop professionally and acquire the skills and knowledge needed to provide excellent patient care.

A three-year clinical course, completion of BST in Obstetrics and Gynaecology begins your journey to become a obstetrician/gynaecologist in Ireland.

It is an essential entry requirement for Higher Specialist Training in Obstetrics and Gynaecology.

 

What to Expect

Basic Specialist Training (BST) in Obstetrics and Gynaecology is a three-year programme completed in Senior House Officer (SHO) and Junior Registrar posts.

The first two years of BST in Obstetrics and Gynaecology are spent in Senior House Officer (SHO) posts. You will be placed in a two-year rotation.

Your third year will be spent in a Junior Registrar post. There is a competitive interview process for Registrar posts midway through second year.

Your training will incorporate the following core elements:

  • The combination of posts ensures a broad exposure to obstetrics and gynaecology over the three years
  • Not more than six months is spent in any one SHO post
  • There is an on-call commitment in obstetrics, gynaecology or combined obstetrics and gynaecology for the full three years

In addition to supervised clinical training in the hospital, you are required to pass the Membership of the Royal College of Physicians of Ireland (MRCPI) examination in Obstetrics and Gynaecology.

To help you develop essential technical and surgical skills, you will also complete a hands-on two-day basic practical skills course and a Certificate in Basic Ultrasound. In addition, you will complete emergency training such as PROMPT, ALSO or MOET (in main teaching hospitals).

You are also required to attend a number of other mandatory courses.

 

Five Hubs to Choose From

There are five training hubs to choose from, which you will rank in order of preference during the application process.

The five hubs are:

  • Rotunda (including Our Lady of Lourdes, Beaumont, and Cavan)
  • National Maternity Hospital (including St Luke's Kilkenny, Wexford, and Mater Misericordiae)
  • Coombe (including St James’s, Mullingar, Tallaght, and Portlaoise)
  • Cork University Maternity Hospital (including Tralee, Waterford, and Limerick)
  • Galway/Limerick (including Letterkenny, Mayo, Portiuncula and Sligo)
 

BST Obstetrics and Gynaecology Curriculum 2022/2023

Use this curriculum if you started Year 1 of BST in 2022/2023

 

BST Obstetrics and Gynaecology OBE Curriculum 2023/2024

Use this curriculum if you started Year 1 of BST in 2023/2024

 

BST Obstetrics and Gynaecology OBE Curriculum 2024/2025

Use this curriculum if you started Year 1 of BST in 2024/2025

 

Guidance on Using the OBE Curriculum

Click here to learn more about the OBE Curriculum.

 

Programme Requirements: Courses and Examinations

In addition to supervised clinical training, you must pass the Membership of the Royal College of Physicians of Ireland (MRCPI) examination in Obstetrics and Gynaecology. You will also participate in the BST Taught Programme. Please see details in the links below.

 

Contact Us

We have a dedicated administrative team to support Trainees in Basic Specialist Training. They are happy to deal with any questions you have about BST.  Contact the team on helpdesk@rcpi.ie

 

Institute of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists

The Institute of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists at the Royal College of Physicians in Ireland is the professional and training body for obstetrics and gynaecology in Ireland, working to ensure the highest standards in women’s health.

Dean with members of the Institute of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists