Quality Assurance of Training

The Faculty of Intensive Care Medicine is committed to ensuring high standards of ICM training throughout the UK. To support this, a quality feedback framework is in place involving FICM, ICM Regional Advisors (RAs), Faculty Tutors (FTs), and Intensivists in Training (IiTs).

Data is collected annually from FICM's IiT Survey, the GMC National Training Survey, recruitment statistics, and RA annual reports. This information is reviewed by the Training, Assessment and Quality Committee (FICMTAQ), which publishes an annual report based on findings from the previous training year.

In 2023, an additional survey was conducted by the IiT Sub-Committee regarding ICM Training, with results published in the 2023 StR Survey Report and Infographic (see below).

Annual Training Reports

Originally launched in 2014 as the Quality Management of Training Annual Reports, these reports aim to capture key information on training programmes, good practice, formal teaching, and workforce data.

In 2024, the report was renamed to the ICM Training Quality Report. This updated version incorporates findings from the latest IiT and RA Surveys, offering a broader picture of ICM training across the UK. The IiT Survey is developed by FICMTAQ with substantial input from the FICM IiT Lead Representatives. It includes follow-up questions on issues raised in previous reports, to track progress and reduce the number of separate surveys sent to IiTs.

Intensivist in Training Survey

The FICM Intensivist in Training (IiT) Survey was introduced to provide a detailed annual snapshot of ICM Training across the UK; it was also designed to generate longitudinal data to enable the Faculty to build a picture of where there may be long-term issues unique to certain sites or regions, whilst also recognising examples of consistently highly-rated training posts and locations. 

The survey is created by FICM's Quality Assurance team (that comprises the Chair of FICMTAQ, Lead RA, FICM's elected IiT representatives and members of the secretariat) and is issued to IiT annually between May and August.

ICM Regional Advisor Annual Reports

An survey is completed by ICM Regional Advisors (RAs) between July and September annually. A summary report is then compiled by the Lead RA to inform the agenda for the annual RA Meeting and the projects and focus of the Training, Assessment and Quality Committee (FICMTAQ) and its relevant sub-groups such as the Careers, Recruitment and Workforce Committee (CRW).

Programme Approvals

A revised process for Programme Approvals has been launched by the GMC for adding a new location to an already approved programme.

Deanery/Local Office representatives can apply directly to the GMC for approval using a new application form that asks for less information.

Royal Colleges/Faculties will no longer need to review requests for approval. However, the GMC are encouraging Deanery/ Local Office representatives to continue to work closely with Colleges and Faculties when considering new locations to ensure that the curriculum and assessment requirements can be delivered across the programme with appropriate supervision.

Please see the GMC website here to submit any new location approvals.  

Quality Management of Training Annual Report

These reports were implemented in 2014 in order to maintain a record of training programmes, good practice, formal teaching and workforce data.