ICU Training

Training in ICU, my interpretation of the story so far

The Intercollegiate Board for Training in Intensive Care Medicine

Aims to oversee all ICU Training for all disciplines
May eventually develop into a College and a separate discipline in Intensive Care Medicine - still uncertain at this stage
May develop a dedicated training with an exam etc.
Plans ambitious and somewhat optimistic in short term
Compromise will be needed in the early years as things develop
Interested trainees should declare an interest to the committee at registrar level

There are 4 Levels of training planned:

Basic (SHO)

3 months in ICU
Plan is for a single block full time with no other responsibilities and dedicated ICU on call - a proper modular attachment
For all trainees - including Surgical, medical, paediatric and A&E!!
This however is ambitious
May split into 2 blocks
On call may not be possible in real world
Cannot be gained retrospectively at Registrar level
Therefore all anaesthetic trainees must gain this training
Current training in East Coast School is sufficient but needs to be "honed" in the future

Intermediate - Intensive Care Medicine - For DGH intensivists

6 months in ICU(s) recognised for training purposes
Hull is already recognised - most Units should achieve this in due course
Must be taken at SpR or equivalent level - "SHO ICU" jobs will not be acceptable
Aim to offer good general ICU experience - 6 months in a cardiac unit will not be acceptable
If not a single 6 month block should be in large chunks with dedicated on call i.e. 2 3 month blocks
Aim is to provide continuity of care - not dipping in and out intermittently
Hull is about to introduce a 3 month Registrar block in ICU
All anaesthetic training should include this
Again compromises may well be needed

Intermediate - complimentary speciality

6 months acute general medicine for anaesthetists - defined as having a non-selective medical take
6 months anaesthesia for physicians and surgeons - needs support from medical and surgical colleges which is as yet unforthcoming
Only for interested SpR's
Swaps may eventually be available but not short term
An extra 6 months of anaesthetic SpR training
Best way to get it is to do medicine before starting anaesthetics - required prior planning not always possible!

Advanced - For Intensivists in large units/potential directors

Diploma in Intensive Care

First sitting has now occurred
Requires a dissertation
Requires a log book of 50 cases - filled in at registrar level
Takes the form of vivas on dissertation and log book - no written paper
Will be taken late in training and may possibly develop into an exit exam in the long term
Standards will be high - significantly higher than FRCA level

Dr Phil Gray, Module Tutor for ICU

Consultant in Anaesthesia and Intensive Care,

Phone: 44-1482-674231

Fax : 44-1482-674371