Shape of Training: securing the future of excellent patient care

01 Apr 2014

In response to the Shape of Training review recently completed by Professor David Greenaway, the Royal Colleges of Physicians and the Joint Royal College of Physicians Training Board (JRCPTB) have now provided their vision for the future of education and training in the medical specialties.

Vision for the future of education and training in the medical specialties

In response to the Shape of Training review recently completed by Professor David Greenaway (September 2013), the Royal Colleges of Physicians and the Joint Royal College of Physicians Training Board (JRCPTB) have now provided their vision for the future of education and training in the medical specialties.

The Colleges acknowledge that there are significant challenges currently being faced by internal medicine and acute medicine and that it is imperative they work together to improve the delivery of general medical care without jeopardising the future of specialist services expected by patients.

The Colleges strongly agree that patient-centred care and patient experience must underpin all developments in healthcare, including the design and delivery of education and training.

The following areas are support by the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow, Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh, Royal College of Physicians of London and the JRCPTB:

• Exploration of the balance between internal (general) medicine and specialist medical care, and training in settings outside the hospital
• Recognition of career-long training for doctors
• Emphasis on supporting doctors in training

The Colleges – through JRCPTB – have a key role in supporting government and national bodies to identify solutions for the future of medical education and training and need to work together to develop the following challenges:

• A better understanding of the future health landscape, with outcomes and workforce modelling
• Models that promote internal medicine without devaluation of the specialist knowledge needed for patient care
• Robust structures for, and oversight of, post-CST training
• An effective model for credentialing
• Mechanisms for accrediting good training environments
• Supporting staff grade, specialty doctors and associated specialists (SAS doctors)
• Understanding of the length of training needed across specialties
• Dual core accreditation for most specialties
• Optional year spent working in a related specialty or undertaking research or leadership and management work
• Future medical training must be piloted and phased
• Interim solutions to address the current challenges in acute care
• Further analysis on moving registration to the point of graduation from medical school

A full account of the Colleges response can be viewed here.

The Shape of Training Review is available to download at www.shapeoftraining.co.uk

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