Interview-Jackie Hilton
Sexual Health is a rewarding, satisfying career for Registrar, Jackie Hilton. We spoke with Jackie about the Auckland training programme.....
There is a minimum of 3 years Advanced training after entry
requirements are satisfied. Every year you have to do a project and
there are also 7 University papers you have to do.
It is preferred that you do the training full time but there are
opportunities to do training in a part time capacity.
A typical day for a full time trainee is:
7 clinical sessions
2 admin sessions
1 CME session
There is no on-call (nights or weekend) work.
There are 4 clinics in Auckland you can be rostered on to any of
them during the week (usually same schedule every week for the
trainee). Patients mostly have appointments booked (1/2 hour slots)
but they do see walk-ins.
Main age group of patients is 15 - 25 but they do see people
older and younger than this.
Reasons for getting into Sexual health training are having an
interest in female health, interest in the age group and the often
vulnerability of the patients (15 - 25), the impact you can have on
the people you see. It's both rewarding and challenging.
It is a wonderful team environment to work in; you work in a
relatively small team of very supportive and approachable people.
It is a very good learning environment.
There is only a small group of trainees, in cities outside of
Auckland, sexual health clinics are sometimes staffed by GPs or
other doctors who have an interest in the specialty but are not
trained Sexual Health doctors.
There is a Sexual Health Seminar three times a year where
trainees can do presentations and also teaching to other health
professionals who attend. There is also the opportunity to teach as
part of the Diploma in O&G and to O&G Registrars as
well.
Sexual Health registrars also present at the grand round at
Auckland, this is usually only once yearly due to the roster.
Trainees are able to sit in with SMOs who specialise in related
specialties; usually this is Dermatology and Infectious Diseases
who they also work quite closely with.