To All Cardiology Trainees

To all Cardiology Trainees

We are aware that not all trainees could attend the BCS in Glasgow and have therefore reproduced the SAC presentations from:

4th June 2007 - “Interactive SAC Meeting for Trainees in Cardiology”

Chairs: Prof Stuart Cobbe and Dr P Mills Dr James Hall: The 2007 Curriculum highlights for new and current trainees Dr Ian Wilson: Assessment in Relation to RITA when and how Dr Theresa McDonagh: Selection and Allocation into Cardiology ST3 understanding MMC Dr Nick Curzen and Dr Saul Myerson: Selection into Sub-Specialties for NTN Holders

SUMMARY

The new cardiology curriculum:  builds on the existing curriculum and the competency based approach to assessment.  will be implemented for all new SpRs starting from August 2007.  newly enrolled trainees will undertake more clearly defined 3 years core training followed by 2 years of sub-specialty modules.  runs alongside the generic curriculum for medical specialists. Research competency is a key part of the generic curriculum and out of programme research training is strongly encouraged for all trainees not just the career academics who follow the new academic clinical fellowships/clinical lecturer pathway.  runs alongside the general internal medicine (acute) curriculum. The GIM training necessary for all cardiologists is more clearly defined and should ordinarily be completed in the first year. For those cardiologists who wish to be qualified to run an acute general medical take can undertake further GIM training alongside other sub- specialty modules.  will require more focused training and includes new areas such as CMR.

Existing trainees who wish to adopt some aspects of the new curriculum will need to negotiate with Training Programme Directors/Specialty Training Committees

Assessment and RITA The presentation had five main themes:  To explain the need for and explain the principles of competency based assessment.  To introduce the new work place based assessment tools, using DOPS as an example, and to make reference to other tools currently under development.  To introduce the Cardiology Assessment Blue Print which maps the new curriculum to methods of assessment for each learning point on the curriculum.  To introduce the Cardiology RITA Decision Grid which outlines the expected competency requirements of trainees as they progress through the curriculum from ST3 to ST7, and including the expected competencies required for the parallel Generic and Acute Medicine Curricula.  To briefly mention the proposed methodology for collection of data using the e- portfolio, currently under development.

The documents in 3 & 4 have been accepted by PMETB and will be published on the JRCPTB website later this year. The assessment strategy will apply to NEW trainees appointed to ST3 from August 2007, and does not apply to trainees who already have a training number and who are progressing through the old curriculum. The use of the competency based assessment tools to include MSF, mini-CEX and DOPS is to be encouraged in ALL Trainees, and is mandatory for ALL Trainees appointed after 2003. Their use however will be directed by the local Training Programme Director and are not required to follow the directions laid down for the New Curriculum as described above.

Selection into ST3 A cardiology SAC sub-committee has developed a format for a cardiology specific application process with:

 National Person Specification  National Application form detailing: - qualifications, previous experience, competencies achieved in acute medicine, (1&2) - evidence of audit, IT skills - research: more weight to completed MD/PhD, grant funded research, publications - evidence of outstanding achievement inside and outside of medicine wide scoring range  National Interview process with: - 3 stations, 10 minutes, 3 assessors per station, scoring on a 10 point scale - Clinical scenario with actor: tests communication skills and clinical competence - NHS Awareness station: audit, governance, handling difficult situations - General Interview: clinical experience, career plans, recent innovations, outstanding achievements.

Implementation is still under discussion, possibilities include: National 1 day interview- deaneries represented, National Application, local deanery interviews (staggered), Hybrid, Regional Geographical Units of Application, National Clearing System.

Selection into sub-specialties The traditional UK “apprenticeship” training is now compromised and the need for formalised training programmes are clear cut.

Such a development is supported by ESC WG10, SAC, BCS, BCIS and RCP. The curricula have been agreed and selection and assessment now key.

The leading option is to develop GUoA (generalized units of application) large enough to cover all necessary posts which should have the advantage of trainees moving only within one area of the UK and that it can be directly responsive to local workforce requirements. The option of national clearing is still available to ensure there no wasted posts.

The processes are still under discussion with the cardiology lead dean. It will be important that the process is fair, robust and transparent.

The feedback from the audience to the ‘interactive questions’ has been extremely useful to inform the debate surrounding modifications to MMC etc.

We apologise for the lack of time for more discussion and we have been informed of a number of queries left unanswered by the presentations. The above summary is intended to provide more explanation. Further queries can be channeled through the BJCA President, Dr Chris Gale or the BJCA reps on the SAC, Dr Simpson and Dr Kabir.

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