Dr Gourab Choudhury, ST6
Brief ‘definition’ of specialty

Exciting specialty dealing with a mix of acute and chronic chest problems.

Brief run-down of training programme content and duration

Combination of core clinical skills along with achieving competency in procedures pertinent to the specialty (chest drain, bronchoscopy, pleural biopsy, thoracic ultrasound etc.). Rotation spans between four and five years depending on whether a single or dual accreditation (in General Internal Medicine [GIM]) is being targeted.

Exam requirements

An MRCP(UK) prior to application is necessary. A Specialty Certificate Examination (SCE) in Respiratory Medicine is also mandatory before the Certificate of Completion of Training (CCT) is awarded.

Other requirements

Logbook of procedures and outpatient activity, valid advanced life support (ALS) certificate, level 1 competency in pleural ultrasound, competence in bronchoscopy, and a management course is mandatory prior to CCT.

Opportunities/expectations for out of programme/research

Excellent opportunity for research with a very well structured training programme.

A day in the life of a Registrar/Consultant

8:30 am: Ward round in acute receiving unit

9:30 am: Coffee break (a must!)

10:00 am - 12:00 pm: Bronchoscopy

12:00 pm - 12:30 pm: Catching up with paperwork

12:30 pm - 1:00 pm: Lunch

1:30 pm - 4:00 pm: Tuberculosis (TB) clinic

4:30 pm: Home time

Pros and Cons of working in this specialty

Pros

  • An excellent and exciting specialty with just the right combination of acute and chronic medical problems with very good research opportunities

No cons!

How this specialty differs to others and what made me choose it

As above.

Tips for success in applying for this specialty

  • Show your commitment towards the specialty. Make sure you have done at least one block of respiratory medicine as a Specialist Trainee (ST)
  • Having some abstracts, publications particularly in respiratory medicine always helps
  • Presentations in national and international conferences (BTS, ERS etc.) would fetch extra brownie points
  • Make yourself known to the relevant people
  • A prior research degree (BSc, MD or PhD) although not necessary adds great strength to the application
For more information

JRCPTB website