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FAQs.

Do you have any advice for new starters?

  • Have a look at this page here

What do I need to do to get signed off at ARCP?

  • The requirements for ARCP/PYA sign off are in the JRPCTB ARCP decision aid. It is imoprtant to be familiar with both the Respiratory and GIM components well in advance of your ARCP (and make sure your supervisor is too). Read the documents carefully as some of the requirements are not obvious!
  • Log books of procedures and clinics should be up to date.
  • Keep a summary of your recent publications, courses, meetings, teaching and management experience since your last ARCP. These should all be saved in your personal library on your ePortfolio.
  • Make sure documents in your library are clearly labelled and saved in an organsied and logical way.
  • Save your email receipt for your completed GMC survey as this is required for ARCP.
  • Start planning chow you will get miniCex/CbD/DOPS/MCRs/ACATs signed off as soon as you start each post. 

How do I arrange an OOPE/OOPR?

  • Time out of programme for research or specific training experiences can greatly enhance your programme and your future career prospects. The key is to plan ahead as it can easily take a year to secure time out and the funding required to take up a research position. Talk to your educational supervisor and the Training Programme Director as early as possible about your plans. There are no guarantees that if you request time out it will be granted, but usually the TPD will do everything they can to support you.

Are training days mandatory?

  • Yes. If you are having problems attending due to service demands please highlight this as early as possible. Training days are a great opportunity to learn from local experts and spend time with other trainees. You should attend 70% of training days, and also ensure you acquire the required number of GIM hours.

Where are all the hospitals I might rotate to?

  • You can see the locations of all the hospitals on the rotations on the job decription page. 

When should I take my SCE?

  • The SCE can be taken at any time but it is recommended that trainees consider taking this in their third year of training  (ST5). There is only one sitting of the exam per year. Failure in the exam will notnecessarily impede progress through training, but a CCT cannot be awarded without it. See the SCE page for further advice and tips on how to prepare.

What are the minimun training requirements for acquiring competencies in Lung transplantation?

  • EITHER: Three month attachment in a specialist centre or satellite clinic with a CbD and satisfactory Clinical Supervisor sign off.
  • OR: Attend the regional training programme session (or equivalent) on lung transplantation and attend 2 outpatient sessions in a specialist centre or satellite clinic, and undertake a CbD.
  • Yorkshire trainees can attend specialist clinics in Manchester or Newcastle.

What are the minimum training requirements for acquiring competencies in  Cystic Fibrosis?

  • EITHER: Three month attachment in a specialist centre or satellite clinic with a CbD and satisfactory Clinical Supervisor sign off.
  • OR: Attend the regional training programme session (or equivalent) on lung transplantation and Attend 2 outpatient sessions in a specialist centre or satellite clinic, and Undertake a CbD.
  •  All Leeds trainees will rotate through the CF unit as part of modular training.

What are the minimum training requirements for acquiring competencies in pulmonary hypertensions?

  • EITHER: Three month attachment in a specialist centre or satellite clinic with a case based discussion (CbD) assessment and satisfactory Clinical Supervisor sign off.
  • OR: Attend the regional training programme session (or equivalent) on pulmonary hypertension and attend 2 outpatient sessions in a specialist centre or satellite clinic, and undertake a CbD.
  • The regional pulmonary hypertension unit is in Sheffield.

How much experience do I need in Occupational Lung Disease?

  • There is not the same formal requirement for Occupational Lung Disease as there is for Lung Transplant or CF. This is mainly because across the country it is more difficult for trainees to access such training. 

How do I get signed off for Level 1 USS? 

  • The requirements for Level 1 USS competence are set by the BTS based on the RCR guidelines on focused ultrasound training.
  • You need to do a course which provides the theoretical knowledge necessary for safe pleural procedures, and then acquire sufficient evidence of competency in the form of a log book. Once you have both these pieces of evidence a Level 2 competent practitioner (or someone who is Level 1 with at least 2 years experience) needs to provide formal sign-off of your Level 1 competence (eg in the form of a letter you can upload to your ePortfolio).
  • Different people will achieve competency and confidence at different rates, but the minimum requirements for the logbook are:

Practical training should include:

  • Observing 20 throacic ultrasound examinations
  • Performing 20 examinations on normal patients
  • Performing 20 examinations on aptients with pleural effusions
  • Performing 20 thoracocenteses or drain placements with both guided and non guided techniques

Competencies to be acquired

  • Recognistion of normal anatomy of pleura and diaphragm
  • Identification of the heart, liver and spleen
  • Pleural effusion recognition
  • Pleural thickening and its differentiation from fluid
  • Consolidated lung and its differentiation from fluid
  • Estimation of depth of an effusion and its measurements
  • Guided thoracocentesis and drain placement

How can I get experience in medical thoracoscopy?

  • Medical Thoracoscopy is done on regular lists at Hull, Leeds and Pinderfields

How can I get signed off for safe sedation in Bronchoscopy?

  • This is essential pre-CCT, and wise to do early in the programme. The RCP runs a ‘Safe sedation for non-anaesthetists’ course, which is covers everything you need but is not specifically aimed at Respiratory trainees. The RSM has also previously run a course so look out for future dates on their website.
  • In addition to a course, you must have 2 DOPS with a specific focus on safe sedation in bronchoscopy.

How can I prepare for a return to practice after time out of training?s. 

  • Many trainees take time out of clinical work for a number of reasons including parental leave, research, OOPE and health reasons. Coming back to clinical work can be both a highly stressful and difficult time for the trainee. The deanery have wriitten guidance for anyone who's taken any time out, however short, and all stages of training from the start of Core Medical Training and right through specialty training.

How can I fulfil my GIM requirement for 100hrs of external CPD? 

  • The best way is to attend the regional GIM training days. You can augment these with online CPD (up to 15hours) and other relevant courses from bodies such as the RCP, RSM and BMA.
  • Internal training (grand rounds, dept meetings etc) are a separate requirement and don’t contribute to the 100 hours.
  • ALS and generic courses (management, teaching etc) are also a separate requirement. 

What should I write (and not write) in my reflections on my ePortfolio? 

  • Being reflective is felt to be essential to aiding our understanding and continuing to improve our practice. It is a requirement that we submit reflective practice entries to our ePortfolio. After a trainee was asked to release reflections to a legal agency, and this was later used as evidence in court against them, you may have concerns about documenting anything that may suggest anything less than perfect practice. This of course defeats the point of reflective practice and does not support the aim of learning from mistakes. A number of useful articles , which provide thoughts and guidance:
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