PFET Programme
Hand Surgery Post-fellowship Education and Training (PFET) Programme
The AHSS PFET Training Programme is designed to provide structured cross-specialty training in the breadth of Hand and Wrist Surgery.
It is a 2 year programme, of which a minimum of 12 months must be undertaken in an accredited PFET training centre in Australia or New Zealand.
6 months of the programme may be accredited from Pre-Fellowship training if the candidate is able to demonstrate sufficient exposure and experience (determined on logbook criteria).
6-12 months of the programme may be undertaken in an overseas fellowship or in an alternative unit subject to the position meeting PFET requirements and being approved in advance by the Education committee.
Details of the programme and current accredited fellowships can be found below.
Applications are accepted prior to completion of Pre-Fellowship training (please see Information for Applicants for details), but it is a condition of commencing the PFET programme that Part II of the RACS Fellowship exam has been passed and FRACS in either Orthopaedic Surgery or Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery has been achieved.
Application Process Overview
Applications are accepted from RACS SET trainees in Orthopaedic Surgery and Plastic Surgery up to 2 years prior to the anticipated completion of SET training.
Documents to be submitted are as follows:
Formal covering letter including why you want to undertake PFET and your areas of interest.
CV.
Logbook of surgery experience, with separate logbook of hand surgery experience so far. Attach any comments regarding specific rotations completed or anticipated during the rest of your training.
Evidence of microsurgery course and/or AO hand fracture course if completed.
3 written references.
Completed application form specifying choices of fellowship positions. Please indicate where appropriate whether you would like to have your training to date accredited for 6 months of PFET.
Indicate if there are any specific areas would like to cover during your fellowship time- eg arthroscopy, flaps/ micro, congenital
Overseas Fellowship letter of appointment/written confirmation if arranged.
Applications close 1st March each year. (Applications in 2024 for Feb and Aug 2026)
Applicants should specify a preferred programme but should be aware that not all positions are available every year.
Applications will be assessed on a competitive basis with appointments announced at the end of March.
Interviews may be employed if there are a number of competitive applicants desiring the same fellowship position.
Current Fellowships
Training Centre
Supervisor(s)
6 or 12 month term
Feb/ Aug start
Position Description
Jeff Ecker Hand and Wrist Institute
Jeff Ecker Hand and Wrist Institute
6 or 12 months
Feb
Middlemore Hospital, Auckland, New Zealand
Ms Karen Smith / Mr Adam Durrant
12 months
Augu
Princess Alexandra Hospital/ Brisbane Hand and Upper Limb Institute
Prof Mark Ross
12 months
Aug
Royal North Shore Hospital, Sydney
Dr Richard Lawson
6 or 12 months
6 month Feb/ Aug | 12 month Feb
Upcoming Fellowships
Training Centre
Supervisor(s)
6 or 12 month term
Feb/ Aug start
Position Description
Sydney South-West Hand Centre, Fairfield Hospital, Sydney
Dr Roland Jiang/ Dr Owen Ou Yang
6 months
Feb / Aug
Current Training Centre Placements
Dr Michael Strong – Macquarie Feb 23-Jul 23, Sydney St Luke’s Aug 23-Jul 24.
Dr Liang Xu – Sydney St Luke’s Feb 23-Jan 24, Chelsea & West UK Feb 24-Jul 24, Institut de la Main Paris Aug 24-Jan 25.
Dr George Miller – Princess Alexandra Hospital Aug 23-Jul 24, GCUH Aug 24-Jan 25.
Dr Ben Dowdle – GCUH Aug 23-Jan 24, Princess Alexandra Hospital Feb 24-Jan 25.
Dr David Dyer – Fremantle Hospital Aug 23-Jan 24, Jeff Ecker Hand/Wrist, Perth Feb 24-Jan 25.
Dr Ellie Houghton – Jeff Ecker Hand/Wrist, Perth Aug 23-Jan 24, Macquarie Hospital Feb 24-Jul 24, TBC Aug 24-Jan 25.
Dr Humza Khan – Sydney St Luke’s Feb 24-Jan 25.
Dr Justin Parr – St Vincents Feb 24-Jan 25.
Dr David Ma – Fairfield Aug 24-Jan 25, Sydney St Luke’s Feb 25-Jan 26
Dr Tim Karbowiak – Guys & St Thomas, UK Aug 24-Jan 25, St Vincent’s Feb 25-Jan 26
Information for Training Centre Accreditation
If you are interested in becoming a PFET approved Training Centre, please fill out the application below.
If you are have any questions on becoming a PFET approved Training Centre, please email admin@ahss.org.au
Journal Club
Monthly Journal Clubs are run February-November covering the breadth of the PFET curriculum.
All fellows plus three invited consultants attend.
For further information regarding either training positions or training centre accreditation, please contact PFET Coordinators Alexa Potter and Andrew Mayo.
Email: education@ahss.org.au