In the UK clinical haematology is an intensive, exciting and rewarding but demanding specialty that encompasses both clinical and laboratory practice. As a result of this dual role, haematologists take an active part in every stage of patient management from initial clinic visit, to laboratory assessment/diagnosis and finally to treatment. Clinical care is delivered in both in-patient and out-patient environments and the haematologist frequently contributes to diagnosis and management in other specialties and in the intensive care setting. This holistic approach to clinical care is a highlight of the specialty.
Haematology is developing rapidly with respect to therapeutic advances and lends itself to research. Within haematology there is the opportunity to further develop special interests in a wide variety of clinical and laboratory areas (e.g. haemogloginopathies, haemostasis and thrombosis, transfusion medicine, malignant haematology, transplantation). The specialty may suit a wide variety of individuals including those who may wish to combine a clinical and academic career. The haematology consultant workforce is currently expanding.
Entry into haematology specialist training occurs after completion of core training (CMT, ACCS) competencies and requires success in the MRCP Part 1 examination (Full MRCP from August 2011).
The duration of specialist training is around 5 years. Satisfactory completion of training requires that the trainee acquires both the competencies set out in the generic curriculum applicable to all physicianly specialities (August 2007 to August 2010) and those of the haematology curriculum. The completion of training also requires that the trainee obtains, by examination, both full MRCP and FRCPath. As specialists in haematology are involved in direct patient care and in management of haematology pathology laboratories, specialist training covers both these components, including training in transfusion medicine. Specialist training starts with an introduction to laboratory practice and subsequently continues through a variety of posts which will:
- Include core and special interest haematology, incorporating haematological oncology, transplantation, paediatric haematology, haemostasis and thrombosis and blood transfusion practice.
- Allow the trainee exposure to the broad range of diseases of the blood and bone marrow, both primary and secondary to other systemic disease.
- Permit haematology training in a range of different settings including an academic environment, a District General Hospital, and Paediatric Haematology and Blood Transfusion Units.
Specialist training may be extended to accommodate less than full time training. One year of specialist training may be approved for research, which is relevant to the specialty and in an area approved by the Chair or Secretary of the Specialty Advisory Committee (SAC). Approval will take account will be taken of the generic training value of the research and any clinical experience gained during the period of research. On award of CCT a haematologist will be able to work as a consultant specialist within the National Health Service and will have the competencies required to do so, as well as to develop further special interest expertise if desired.
Competence Based Curricula and Assessment - StRs (for trainees who commenced training from 1 August 2007 to present)
There are two versions of curricula for this training period:
StRs who commenced training between 1st August 2007 and 3rd August 2010 will follow the 2007 version of their specialty curriculum and the 2007 Generic curriculum. Please see the 2007 Curriculum section of this webpage.
StRs who commenced training from 4th August 2010 onwards will use the 2010 version of their specialty curriculum. There is no need to follow the previously known ‘Generic curriculum' as this has now been embedded into the specialty curriculum. Please see the 2010 Curriculum section of this webpage.
The Joint Royal Colleges of Physicians Training Board (JRCPTB) is pleased to announce the 2010 Haematology curriculum which has been reviewed and rewritten to:
- meet the GMC's 6 new standards as detailed in their Standards for Curricula and Assessment systems
- keep up to date with medical advances and changes in the service and training
- incorporate the framework documents produced by the Academy of Medical Royal Colleges (AoMRC) detailing Common, Medical Leadership and Health Inequality competencies
- include 5 new assessment methods (Acute Care Assessment Tool, Case based Discussion, Patient Survey, Teaching Observation and Audit Assessment).
This new curriculum has improved content, design and usability compared to its predecessors, and reflects a great deal of hard work and time expended by specialty curriculum groups. This curriculum will become the training manual for all trainees entering ST3 from 4th August 2010.
For further information on the 2010 curriculum it is recommended that you read the Quick Start Curriculum Guide.
For guidance regarding training in blood transfusion please click here.
If you have any queries or problems regarding the 2010 curriculum please email ptb@jrcptb.org.uk.
Core Training Programmes
Entry into Haematology training is possible following successful completion of both a foundation programme and a core training programme.
There are 3 core training programmes for Haematology training:
Assessment
The following methods are used as part of the integrated assessment system:
The assessment blueprint, which is embedded in the clinical syllabus, shows the possible methods that can be used to assess each of the competencies in the curriculum. Trainees and trainers should refer to the blueprint 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 ARCP Decision Aid. It is not expected that all competencies will be assessed by all methods, rather that there will be a sampling of competencies within a variety of settings, both within formal and workplace-based assessment, from which overall competence acquisition has to be determined.
The diagram below describes the training pathway:
Please view the 2010 curriculum for Haematology for full details on the training routes and selection criteria.
Entry into Haematology training is possible following successful completion of both a Foundation Programme and a core training programme.
Please view the 2007 curriculum for Haematology for full details on the training routes and selection criteria.
Assessment
The assessment blueprints show the possible methods that can be used to assess each of the competencies 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 ARCP/RITA Decision Aid. It is not expected that all competencies will be assessed by all methods, rather that there will be a sampling of competencies within a variety of settings, both within formal and workplace-based assessment, from which overall competence acquisition has to be determined.
Further information on the various methods of assessment can be viewed in the Assessment section of this website.
The diagram below describes the training pathways in general terms.
Competence Based Curricula - SpR (for trainees who commenced training between 1 Jan 2003 and 31 July 2007)
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 - SpR (for trainees who commenced training before 1 Jan 2003)
The curricula for trainees enrolling pre 01/01/03 are no longer available on the website but can be obtained by request to ptb@jrcptb.org.uk