The Royal College of Physicians (RCP) has developed an infographic setting out the organisations that are responsible for planning and delivering the physician training pathway in the UK.
To become a physician in the UK, most people will go down the following pathway:
- Medical school (5 years)
- Foundation training (2 years)
- Internal medicine training (2-3 years)
- Higher specialty training (4+ years), leading to certificate of completion of training (CCT)
Many different organisations are involved in planning and delivering this physician training pathway, from determining the number of medical training places available to setting standards for the undergraduate curriculum and postgraduate training and delivering exams and assessments. The RCP has developed an infographic setting out the various responsibilities within this physician training pathway in the UK.
Alternatively, doctors who have not completed a GMC-approved training programme but have the knowledge, skills and experience equivalent to the approved curriculum may still join the specialist register through the portfolio pathway (formerly known as the certificate of eligibility for specialist registration, or the CESR route).
Training and education continue throughout a physician’s career through annual continuing professional development (CPD) and annual appraisal, with a process of revalidation every five years.