Shape of Training
For an update on IM3 posts available for August 2021 in the East of England, click here.
From August 2019, core medical training (CMT) will be replaced by internal medicine training (IMT).
This is a considerable restructuring of medical training as we know it.
The key features being:
2 year CMT programmes will be replaced by 3 year IMT programmes
Some specialties have been exempted from subsequent IM Higher Specialty Training - trainees will have to option to apply for HST in these specialties at the end of their IMT2 year. The largest of these specialties are medical and clinical oncology, haematology and dermatology. In 2020, IM2 trainees will also be able to apply for palliative care Higher Specialty Training but this is likely to change in subsequent years.
Many of the subsequent Higher Specialty Training Programmes (those who have been included in IM Higher Specialty Training) will be shortened from 5 years' to 4 years' duration and recruitment for these specialties will be in the IM3 year. These specialties include acute medicine, renal medicine, geriatric medicine, respiratory medicine, cardiology, neurology, gastroenterology and in future years palliative medicine.
All IMT trainees must do at least 4 months of geriatric medicine (under the supervision of a supervisor who is on the specialist registrar for Geriatric Medicine) in either IM1 or IM2 year
All IMT trainees must do at least 10 weeks of ITU or HDU training in either IM1 or IM2 year
There will be a higher expectation for IM trainees to attend OPD clinics
Trainees must attend simulation every year
The current eportfolio requirements are being changed. The competency heavy curriculum will be replaced by "competencies in practice - CiPs"
The IM3 year will be devoted to time dedicated to exposure to the acute medical take and another subspecialty.
In practical terms, this means that most medical rotations in the country will be changing. Most IM posts in IM1 and IM2 years are likely to be 4 months only in duration. There is a need for each Trust to identify both suitable ITU/HDU and suitable Care of the Elderly posts for 1/6 of their trainees. IM3 posts (beginning August 2021) are likely to consist of two 6 month attachments, 1 of which will be attached to Acute Medicine.
The East of England are currently designing these rotations and are progressing well with the hope that indicative rotations will be available this Autumn for the region. The need to incorporate Academic Clinical Fellow trainees and ACCS trainees can often mean that the exact composition of rotations can be difficult to identify early on in the year, particularly in the Addenbrooke's and Associated Trust rotations.
The JRPCTB website has a dedicated section for frequently asked questions related to Shape of Training.