Dual & Triple CCTs

Curricula and programmes

The Faculty and its partner colleges have undertaken cross-mapping exercises to identify shared competencies that can be dual/triple counted as leading to dual and triple CCTs in ICM and one of the defined partner specialties.

It is important to note that it is the programme which is dual/triple; the trainee is following two/three separate CCT curricula which are combined into a dual/triple programme with mapped capabilities. There is not an individual curriculum for each dual/triple route.

Routes of entry

For dual/triple CCTs, trainees may enter either programme first and have the appropriate capabilities dual/triple counted for the second/third CCT, simultaneous entry to all programmes is not currently possible. Since 2016, doctors are not be able to apply for Dual/Triple CCTs if they are beyond the end of ST5 in their initial specialty of appointment at the time of interview for ICM.

Progression in combined training programmes

Updated January 2024

It has come to our attention there is some confusion around establishing the training year for our doctors following a dual/triple CCT programme with a partner specialty.

We have therefore produced guidance to help clarify the training pathways for doctors following a dual/triple CCT programme with ICM. It outlines our principles for incorporating prior training (usually from core training programmes but not explicitly) onto the ICM training programme. There may be doctors that fall outside of this guidance due to having a complex training history. Where possible, we endeavour to incorporate all relevant prior medical training onto our programme to avoid any unnecessary prolongation of training.

Guidance and clarification

Doctors in ICM Dual/Triple CCT Programmes take longer to complete their training than they would do if they were training in just one of the specialties. 

In counting the years of training, it is agreed that the training years start at admission to the first specialty training programme, and years are added linearly as they are completed irrespective of the responsibility levels reached in the individual specialties, assuming that satisfactory outcomes have been achieved.

The training year at entry (ST3/ST4 etc.) needs to be determined by the Training Programme Director. Due to the different entry routes, trainees may have covered varying amounts of the ICM curriculum prior to appointment, and so would enter at a different point; for example, a doctor from an ACCS core training programme may be appointed at ST4 instead of ST3 level to account for previous experience.

For detailed information on the respective Dual/Triple CCT Programmes, please see the following documents on our website:

Should you have questions regarding this please do not hesitate to contact the Faculty: contact@ficm.ac.uk

 

Guidance documents

The guidance below is for dual/triple CCTs undertaken with the CCT in Intensive Care Medicine.

ICM Triple CCTs: Acute Internal Medicine and General Internal Medicine 2022
  • Triple CCTs
  • Acute Internal Medicine
  • General Internal Medicine
ICM Triple CCTs: Renal Medicine and General Internal Medicine 2022
  • Triple CCTs
  • Renal Medicine
  • General Internal Medicine
ICM Triple CCTs: Respiratory Medicine and General Internal Medicine 2022
  • Triple CCTs
  • Respiratory Medicine
  • General Internal Medicine

Dual and Triple CCTs with Physician specialties

Following recent approval of the triple CCT principle by the GMC, guidance for triple CCT programmes with ICM and the physician specialties with Internal Medicine have been updated. Please see above for the guidance downloads.

Transition options for current physician trainees training in Intensive Care Medicine (ICM)

The GMC recommends that trainees undertaking dual CCTs with ICM and physician specialties (for ICM-physicians recruited before August 2021) should transition a new curriculum as soon as possible but it is recognised that some learners may require longer to transition based on the impact the new curriculum and transition should take into account feasibility, trainee and patient safety. Where possible, trainees should transfer to the new curriculum, unless in their final year of training.

The new curricula for group 1 physician specialties include learning outcomes for internal medicine and if a trainee has dropped general internal medicine to take up ICM it may not be in the best interest of patient safety or impractical for a trainee to transfer curriculum. A gap analysis should be carried out and to determine whether it is possible for the trainee to transition and if not, postgraduate dean’s approval should be sought for the trainee to complete training on the previous curriculum.

The options for current Acute Internal Medicine/Renal Medicine /Respiratory Medicine trainees who are training in ICM and are not in their final year of training are:

  1. Transfer to the new curricula and train in their group 1 specialty (Acute Internal Medicine, Renal Medicine or Respiratory Medicine), Internal Medicine and Intensive Care Medicine. They will be eligible for CCTs in all three specialties.
  2. Remain on the previous curriculum if it is not safe or practical for them to also train in internal medicine and CCT in their group 1 specialty and ICM.

Do you have any questions?
Please contact the Faculty.