Training

As a result of drivers for change such as the Shape of Training review, a new model of physician training was developed to meet future healthcare needs of patients. Internal Medicine Training (IMT) stage 1 forms the first three years of post-foundation training, replacing Core Medical Training (CMT). For the main specialties supporting acute medical care - identified as group 1 specialties - an indicative 12 months of further Internal Medicine (IM stage 2) will be integrated flexibly with specialty training in a dual training programme. This model enhances training in internal medicine to prepare doctors for the challenge of managing acutely unwell medical patients, who may also have complex presentations based around chronic disease and comorbidities.

In addition, the GMC introduced new standards for the development and design of postgraduate medical curricula in 2017 which required new curricula describing generic, shared and specialty-specific outcomes. Curricula must also be mapped to the GMC's generic professional capabilities framework which sets out the essential generic capabilities needed for safe, effective and high quality medical care in the UK.

New curricula for group 1 specialties include generic, specialty and clinical internal medicine learning outcomes known as capabilities in practice (CiPs). Applicants via the Portfolio pathway route will need to demonstrate all capabilities as described in the curriculum. By demonstrating these capabilities a successful applicant will be awarded an additional Portfolio pathway in internal medicine.

There is a separate curriculum for General Internal Medicine (to be renamed Internal Medicine) and it will be possible for an applicant to apply for the Portfolio pathway in GIM/IM.

Group 2 specialties will not dual train in internal medicine and the curricula do not include the internal medicine capabilities.

The JRCPTB and the GMC has agreed a transition policy for Portfolio pathway applicants to reflect the significance of the changes to the curricula for many of the physician curricula. This will allow applicants to apply against the previous curriculum for a transition period beyond publication of the new curricula. The transition period considers the notice Portfolio pathway applicants will be given of the new curricula requirements and the significance of the curricular changes. This will range from two to three years following publication of the curricula, depending on the degree of change to the specialty curriculum. The previous curriculum will be retired on the deadline date.

The transition deadline for each specialty are given below.

We have complied a list of helpful FAQs regarding changes to physician training curricula and what it means for specialist registration applications. Click here to download.