The 2021 ICM Curriculum is an outcomes-based curriculum, i.e. what the IiT ‘looks like’ at the point of CCT. Significant aspects of the curriculum are based on spiral learning, meaning that basic principles learnt earlier during the training programme are revisited and enhanced as an IiT progresses. In particular, General ICM is encountered in Stages 1, 2 and 3. However, the indicative year-long placements of ICM, Anaesthesia and Medicine in Stage 1 could be undertaken in a single centre, negating the need for rotation during this period.
As discussed previously, the 2021 curriculum requires IiTs to undertake placements to achieve the competencies of Neuro, Cardiothoracic and Paediatric ICM in Stage 2, most likely in tertiary centres, though capabilities can be acquired in other settings that provide suitable capability acquisition.
In April 2024 NHSE published their latest guidance entitled Improving the working lives of doctors in training. The actions outlined are specifically aimed at addressing concerns of doctors in training and staff who rotate. There is a recognition that rotations can mean that doctors in training may experience low levels of choice and flexibility of when and where they work, high levels of uncertainty and competition about the next steps on the training pathway, duplicative inductions and pay errors as they move between employers.
