Allergic diseases are those which are a consequence, in whole or part, of interaction of antigen (allergen) with inappropriately produced, specific IgE. Such diseases include asthma and rhinitis, eczema, food allergy, allergy to drugs such as anaesthetics and antibiotics, allergy to insect venoms, latex allergy and some forms of urticaria. When severe these reactions may result in anaphylactic shock. Consequently, allergy embraces a variety of medical and surgical specialities, including paediatrics and dietetics, and the training is unique and varied. Allergic diseases affect millions, and there is ample opportunity to provide tangible and effective help to sufferers, both through active intervention (drugs, immunotherapy) and allergen avoidance.
The training programme is based around a central core of general allergy clinics. This should provide experience of a wide range of problems within the realm of the Allergist, including food allergy, drug allergy and the management of anaphylaxis. The trainee will be taught how to manage an allergen immunotherapy clinic. Alongside this, there are attachments to dermatology (for training in eczema, urticaria and contact dermatitis), ENT (evaluation and management of the upper respiratory tract), respiratory medicine (asthma, extrinsic allergic alveolitis and occupational lung disease), paediatrics (milestones, infant food allergy and substitute formulas, infant rhinitis, eczema and asthma) and immunology (vasculitis, immunoglobulin deficiency). In addition, the trainee will spend time in a diagnostic laboratory, becoming acquainted with the indications, methods and limitations of relevant diagnostic tests such as RAST. Training is reinforced by regular assessment by educational supervisors and yearly formal assessment by the JRCPTB.
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 Allergy 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.
If you have any queries or problems regarding the 2010 curriculum please email ptb@jrcptb.org.uk.
Core Training Programmes
Entry into Allergy training is possible following successful completion of both a foundation programme and a core training programme.
There are 2 core training programmes for Allergy training:
Assessment
The following methods are used as part of the integrated assessment system:
- Knowledge Based Assessment - The small size of the specialty means that it is not feasible to run a full specialty certificate examination to assess knowledge. The specialty is currently planning to pilot a formative knowledge-based assessment method and, if successful, it is intended that this method will be used in the future - details to follow.
- Workplace-based assessments (WPBAs)
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 Allergy for full details on the training routes and selection criteria.
Entry into Allergy training is possible following successful completion of both a Foundation programme and a core training programme.
Please view the 2007 curriculum for Allergy 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