IMT – Programme & Curriculum

Question 1

What is the main purpose of the IMT programme?

Answer 1

1. To prepare doctors to work safely and confidently as future medical registrars
2. By giving broad GIM exposure
3. Acute take experience
4. Development in generic skills: leadership, quality improvement, teaching, communication, research
5. Alongside completion of MRCP(UK).

Question 2

How is IMT structured in terms of years and rotations?

Answer 2

1. IMT1 is at SHO level with three 4-month medical rotations
2. IMT2 is also at SHO level with three 4-month medical rotations
3. IMT3 is an optional junior registrar year with two 6-month posts and on-calls as a junior medical registrar under senior support.

Question 3

What is the difference between Group 1 and Group 2 specialties?

Answer 3

1. Group 1 specialties are more acute, hospital-based medical specialties such as Cardiology, Gastroenterology, Respiratory and require IMT1–3
2. Group 2 specialties are less acute or more clinic-based, such as Dermatology and usually enter specialty training after IMT1–2 only.

Question 4

What are Capabilities in Practice (CiPs) in IMT?

Answer 4

1. They are real-world tasks you should be able to perform as an IMT doctor
2. Such as managing the acute unselected take
3. They are the main outcomes of the curriculum
4. Progression is judged against them via your ePortfolio and ARCP

Question 5

How many generic and clinical CiPs are there in IMT?

Answer 5

1. There are 6 generic CiPs based on GMC Good Medical Practice
2. 8 clinical CiPs focused on internal medicine tasks, making 14 CiPs in total.

Question 6

What are the three main components of the IMT curriculum?

Answer 6

1. CiPs
2. Clinical knowledge of core conditions
3. Practical procedures with increasing independence.

Question 7

How does procedural competence progress through IMT1–3?

Answer 7

1. IMT 1 - competent in simulation
2. IMT 2 - perform key procedures under supervision in real patients
3. IMT 3 - competent to perform those procedures independently

Question 8

How is progression in IMT assessed overall?

Answer 8

1. Progress is assessed through an ePortfolio
2. Containing workplace-based assessments & feedback
3. Such as: multi-source feedback and consultant reports, supervisor reports, reflections, evidence of teaching and CPD, and exam certificates
4. Reviewed each year at ARCP to determine whether you can progress.

Question 9

What are the key activity numbers commonly asked about (takes, clinics, ACATs)?

Answer 9

1. Roughly 100 new acute unselected take patients per year (around 500 by the end of IMT3)
2. Attend at least 80 outpatient clinic sessions across IMT1–3
3. Complete at least 4 ACATs per year.

Question 10

When is MRCP(UK) expected to be completed during IMT?

Answer 10

1. All parts of MRCP(UK)—Part 1, Part 2 and PACES — are expected to be completed by the end of IMT2
2. In order to progress to IMT3 or Group 2 specialty training.

Question 11

What are the two key progression points in IMT?

Answer 11

1. End of IMT2: show via ARCP that you are ready to step towards a registrar role and have made good progress including full MRCP
2. End of IMT3: when you must have all CiPs and procedures signed off and MRCP completed to progress into specialty training.

Question 12

Can you describe your teaching experience and how it will help you as an IMT trainee?

Answer 12

1. Med Ed Fellow: plan full Foundation teaching rota. Deliver regular acute medicine teaching (e.g. sepsis, ABGs, ECGs) and MSRA/MRCP-focused sessions for F2s.
2. Co-designed and delivered Simway full-immersion simulation for new doctors → HSJ Partnership Awards finalist; I was second speaker.
3. Simulation work developed skills in briefing/debriefing, maintaining psychological safety and teaching in high-pressure scenarios.
4. Maps to generic CiP ‘clinical teacher/supervisor’ plus communication, leadership and professionalism.
5. As an IMT trainee, these skills help support F1s and students on the wards and acute take, and contribute to the wider education culture.

Question 13

Tell us about your experience on the acute medical take.

Answer 13

1. Work regular shifts on the acute medical take clerking unselected admissions (sepsis, heart failure, respiratory failure, metabolic emergencies).
2. Use A–E approach to rapidly stabilise, start initial management and identify who needs urgent senior review.
3. Typical early steps: O2 if needed, IV access, bloods and cultures, ECG, chest X-ray, prompt antibiotics where indicated, fluid resuscitation or diuresis as appropriate.
4. Escalate early to medical registrar/consultant, involve outreach/ITU where concerned and discuss ceilings of care with seniors and the MDT.
5. Experience directly maps to clinical CiP ‘managing the acute unselected take’ and has taught me prioritisation, escalation and clear documentation.