Audiological Medicine

Audiological Medicine is the medical specialty concerned with the diagnosis and management of hearing and balance disorders in adults and children. In addition to the rehabilitative/habilitative aspects of the chronic disorders encompassed within the specialty, a broad general medical training allows appropriate investigation and medical management of the plethora of conditions of both peripheral otological and central nervous system origin, presenting with acute audio-vestibular symptoms, including infectious, inflammatory, vascular, traumatic and metabolic disorders. A multidisciplinary approach is adopted to these problems, including as well tinnitus, dysacuses and communication disorders, aimed at improving the well-being and quality of life of the individual concerned.

Training in the specialty includes aspects of Developmental Paediatrics, Geriatrics, Medical Genetics, Neurology, Ophthalmology, Otolaryngology and Psychiatry, as well as an MSc in Audiological Medicine. This breadth of training facilitates continuing research and development into methods of prevention of two of the most common sensory disabilities.

Due to regular revisions, arising from changes in the training environment and the requirements of the PMETB, the JRCPTB are currently running various curricula for trainees in each specialty.  All relevant curricula are listed at the bottom of this page under Documents.  Use the filter option on the right-hand side, together with the guidance notes below,  to help you select the correct document.  In summary:

• If you are a run-through (Specialty Registrar [StR]) trainee, you will follow the curricula tagged as ST3+

• If you are an ‘old style’ SpR, you are following the curricula tagged as SpR

• If you enrolled prior to 01/01/03, you will be following the original curricula which are no longer available for download, see note below

 
Competence Based Curricula and Assessment – StRs

PMETB has received the assessment system (blueprint and RITA/ARCP grid) for Audiological Medicine and this has been approved.  

The assessment blueprints show the possible methods that can be used to assess each of the competences in the curriculum. Trainees and trainers should refer to the blueprints for guidance on the appropriate assessment methods for each aspect of the curriculum, and so plan the training programme according to the criteria set by the RITA Decision Aid. It is not expected that all competences will be assessed by all methods, rather that there will be a sampling of competences within a variety of settings, both within formal and workplace-based assessment, from which overall competence acquisition has to be determined.

 Acute care common stem (Medicine) trainees will also follow the ACCS training manual.

Competence Based Curricula – SpR (for trainees enrolling after 1 Jan 2003)

The JCHMT introduced revised curricula for all the medical specialties together with a generic curriculum that applied to all trainees back in 2003. These are competence-based and set out the knowledge, skills and attitudes to be acquired by trainees before they may be awarded a CCT. 

Curricula (for trainees enrolling before 1 Jan 2003)