Fellowship Documents and Templates

Below are documents, templates and schedules that fellowship programs with ACFAS status should be aware of and new applicants may find useful.

Minimal Criteria for Recognition – July 2021

This is the list of criteria, approved by the ACFAS Board of Directors, that the College’s Fellowship Committee looks for when reviewing new program applications for status with ACFAS. These recommendations are an analysis of processes and support structures in place to assure adequate post-graduate level training is occurring in the fellowship without credentialing such programs. Minimal requirements are evaluated through communication with the fellowship program’s director and staff. The Fellowship Committee Chair or a committee member may conduct a site visit if absolutely necessary to correctly evaluate the program and its ability to meet these requirements. The Fellowship Committee reviews compliance with these criteria on an annual basis.

Funding for Fellowship Positions - Please Note: If a fellowship program wishes to fund its position through federal GME funds, it first must seek program approval from CPME.

Fellowship Manual Template
Every fellowship should provide its fellow with a manual prior to the start of their education. The manual must contain written goals and outlines for the program, expected skill sets and techniques to master by way of the fellowship training, and specific descriptions of didactic and clinical curriculum. The template shows the recommended manual sections.
   

Podiatric Surgical Case Log Template
Fellows must log their surgical cases during their time in fellowship. It is recommended they use a web-based or other surgical logging tool, i.e. PRR or an Excel spreadsheet, which is HIPAA Compliant. In order to appropriately confirm case volume and quality, surgical case logs may be requested from the fellow(s) by the ACFAS Fellowship Committee. If you are interested in using PRR to log cases, please contact PRR Support Services/Development at wchen@podiatryrr.net or (415) 553-7810. There is a modest cost for an annual subscription per fellow. The attached template is an example of an Excel logging tool.

Example Fellowship/Residency Collaborative Agreement
When residents and fellows are being educated in the same institution, the residency director and the fellowship director must jointly approve a written agreement specifying the educational relationship between the residency and fellowship programs. If the director is the same person, an assistant or co-director should sign on behalf of the residency. This co-signed agreement must be submitted with the fellowship’s application for ACFAS status. The attached form meets the requirements per the ACFAS application.

Example Fellowship/Residency Annual Agreement
All fellowships with ACFAS Status must also submit the attached form, or a co-signed letter, upon renewal of status with the College. This occurs every summer, with new forms due by August 30 of the year.

Fellow Evaluation Template
Per the ACFAS “Minimal Criteria” document, all fellows with ACFAS status must provide their fellow(s) at minimum with quarterly evaluations and review with the Fellow on academic, surgical and patient management skills. This template is an example of a fellow evaluation template.

ACFAS Standardized Fellow Application Form
The College has created a standard application form for prospective fellows to complete and they are able to submit this form to all fellowships with ACFAS status. It is linked to all fellowships’ ACFAS webpages. The application seeks basic demographics, education history, exam results, and asks applicants their rationale for applying to fellowship. All materials submitted with this form can be copies. Fellowships may require a second-round application to seek additional information as required.

Additional Fellow Request Form
If a fellowship is interested in adding an additional fellow position, they must meet the requirements per the listed criteria. Further demonstration of a higher case volume will be required to offset the potential for a diluted educational experience.

If these criteria are met, they may submit a request form:

• The program must successfully matriculate one fellow and hold Recognized Status with ACFAS for one full fellowship year before considering addition of a second fellow.
• With one fellow, the program must demonstrate the ability to have access to 1,000 cases minimum for the program before adding a second fellowship position.

Third Fellow Request Form
If a fellowship is interested in adding a third fellow position, they must meet the requirements per the listed criteria. Further demonstration of a higher case volume will be required to offset the potential for a diluted educational experience.

If these criteria are met, they may submit a request form:

• The program must successfully matriculate two fellows simultaneously for three consecutive years before considering the addition of a third fellow. With two fellows, there should be a demonstrated ability to have access to 1,500 cases minimum for the program. Cases must come from hospitals and/or surgery centers that are US-based.
• The director will be interviewed by the Fellowship Committee to determine the rationale for taking more than two fellows.
• If the fellowship educates residents at the same institution, the fellowship director should provide a co-signed letter of agreement with the residency director that they are supportive of the additional fellow position(s).
• The program must be held in full Recognized Status.
• The program must have a funding source aligned, and a written commitment of funding for at least 12 months.
• All other criteria, including research, must be met on an annual basis for each fellow.
• Double-scrubbed cases count for only one fellow.
• For more every additional fellow, demonstrated ability to have access to an additional 500 cases.