This page provides useful information on the training and development for this specialty and also has tips for people at all stages of their training including medical school.
The full training programmes for AIM lasts a minimum of six years for single CCT and seven years for dual CCT. Selection takes place before entry to ST1 (after the foundation programme) and again before entry to specialty training ST3 in AIM. A significant proportion of the trainees in AIM are training less than full time.
You will need to complete core training after your two-year foundation programme. Core training has a choice of two pathways:
the acute care common stem in acute medicine (ACCS), which is a three-year programme
The consensus among acute specialists is that both pathways are equally valid but that those doing ACCS usually gain more critical care exposure early in training.
Entry at ST3 level requires full membership of the Royal College of Physicians (MRCP).
At ST3, many trainees will choose to dual CCT with General Internal Medicine which increases the training time by approximately one year. Trainees should seek advice from their Training Programme Director about whether they should seek a single or dual CCT.
The development of specialist skills is a mandatory part of training in the specialty. Some trainees will choose to learn a practical procedure such as echocardiography, while others will gain qualifications in management, leadership or education, and some will become involved in medical research. The requirement to develop an additional skill or qualification is a key element of the new curriculum.
It is important to develop your practical skills and interest in acute internal medicine as early as you can. This will also give you valuable experience to add to your CV.
Whether you're a medical student, foundation trainee or doing your core specialty training, there's information below to help you.
Medical students
join your university medical society
attend conferences for medical students – this will give you an opportunity to network and meet your future colleagues
consider joining the specialist society for your chosen specialty as a student member, eg the Society for Acute Medicine
consider becoming a student member of the BMA, the trade union and professional association for doctors. The BMA also provides careers advice
make your specialty decisions in good time so that you can test it out before committing yourself, eg by using hospital visits and clinical placements arranged as part of your course to ask questions and observe people at work
choose the topic of your supervised research project carefully to test out your thinking
Foundation trainees
remember your first priority is to demonstrate that you have developed the personal, learning, clinical, practical and management skills needed by all doctors
think laterally when applying for rotations – vacancies may not be available in AIM so apply for a rotation in a related field
talk to your clinical and educational supervisors about particular areas of interest to explore
use full placements to experience specialties that you might be interested in or apply for taster experiences if you can’t get a placement
talk with your peers about their career ideas and experiences – you may be able to help each other
listen to information and advice from more experienced doctors but make your own decisions
taking part in a clinical audit is important for your development as a doctor but you may be able to choose an audit project related to a specialty that interests you
ensure your Foundation e-portfolio has plenty of medical evidence and that this is kept properly up-to-date
try to gain teaching and management experience
look at competition ratios (ie the number of applicants to places) critically. Find out what is happening this year and spot any regional differences in competition ratios
read as much information as you can on the websites of relevant professional bodies
question your own perceptions and possible negative stereotypes of the specialty
impress interviewers by showing that your interest in the specialty is intrinsically motivated - that you are drawn to the work and not just attracted to it because you admire someone you have shadowed
be prepared to move to where the vacancies are
continue to develop your practical and academic expertise
undertake a research project
try to get some of your work published and present at national and international meetings
join or start a journal club to critically evaluate academic research
teach junior colleagues
take on any management opportunities you are offered
