Acute internal medicine (AIM) is an exciting, varied, and dynamic medical specialty, concerned with the assessment, diagnosis and management of adults presenting to secondary care with acute medical illness.
It also entails the management of busy acute medical units (AMUs) to ensure that they deliver high-quality, efficient and patient-centred care.
AIM trainee characteristics
Trainees in AIM need particularly:
-
good team-player skills, including clinical leadership and change-management skills
-
flexibility, adaptability and lateral thinking skills
-
excellent communication skills, both spoken and written
-
the ability to work (and enjoy working) under pressure.
Working in AIM
This is a hospital-based specialty, with the majority of the work involving care of medical patients around the time of admission to hospital. The spectrum of clinical problems encountered in the AMU is very wide, and this variability enables trainees to become experts in assessment, investigation, diagnosis and management across multiple disciplines.
Training
Training concentrates not only on recognition and management of acute medical emergencies, but also on the development of ambulatory care systems, and the acquisition of skills in leadership and management of AMU as a whole.
There is also a requirement to develop an additional specialist skill (usually in the form of either a professional qualification, a procedural skill, or a research degree. Common examples include diplomas in medical education or toxicology and practical skills such as bed side echo). There are also options to extend training and gain extra qualifications in stroke/critical care to CCT level.
Training includes time on AMU with a focus on managerial AMU experience towards the end of higher specialist training. There are also mandatory attachments in respiratory medicine, cardiology, acute elderly care and intensive care. Rotations may also include others such as gastroenterology/neurology/stroke but this varies from region to region.
Focus on medical problems and ongoing care
The specialty is distinct from emergency medicine (ED), because it focuses specifically on medical problems and includes more responsibility for ongoing care - although acute physicians do work in close collaboration with emergency medicine specialists. There is also a close relationship with critical care and most specialities will offer degrees of in-reach into the AMU.
Specialty structure
Acute internal medicine was formally recognised as a specialty in 2009, having previously been a subspecialty of general internal medicine.
It can be entered from core medical training or acute care common stem training; entry at ST3-level requires full membership of the royal college of physicians, MRCP(UK).
The indicative training time is 4 years for AIM or 5 years for AIM plus GIM dual speciality training. If stroke or critical care CCTs are added the training will typically be 6 years or longer.
Medical Care
Find out more about acute internal medicine and the services delivered by the specialty on Medical Care – the RCP’s online guide to service design.
Further information
General / application queries
For general queries relating to areas such as eligibility criteria, making an application or the Oriel system, please contact the Physician Specialty Recruitment Office.
Below are the contact details for the regions recruiting to acute internal medicine:
Acute internal medicine 2021 - regional contact details | |
---|---|
Regions | Contact details |
Wales |
heiw.recruitment@wales.nhs.uk |
Scotland |
http://www.scotmt.scot.nhs.uk/contact-us/hospital-specialty-recruitment-contacts.aspx |
2021 participation
Please note that there are not planned to be any posts in England in this specialty in 2021. There will only be recruitment for Scotland and/or Wales posts. Please see the 'dates and posts' tab for information about post availability in these nations.
Should the specialty be recruiting to both Scotland and Wales, there will be a separate vacancy for each nation participating. You can only be in contention for posts to a nation to which you have submitted an application.
Should an applicant apply to and be shortlisted for both nations, they will only be offered a single interview with the scores used for both applications.
Eligibility
This specialty uses the standard ST3 eligibility criteria, and does not accept candidates from any alternative training routes.
Please visit the am I eligible? section of this website for further information.
Please note that due to the ongoing COVID-19 situation, certain recruitment processes have been affected for round 2 ST3 PSRO-coordinated specialties. As a result, the below information on this page is not applicable for this round only and should not be used where the process has changed. Please refer to the applicant guide for the latest information about how round 2 will operate.
Further guidance about the scoring format of interviews will be published to each specialty page and we hope to have this updated by application closing date. Please visit the specialty pages closer to the time for updated information.
Interview content
You will spend approximately 10-15 minutes at station 1 and 10 minutes at station 2 and 3, with three-to-five minutes' transfer time between each. Thus the overall time for the interview will be approximately 50-55 minutes.
Click on the relevant stations below for more information on the content of the interview.
Please note that this is subject to change, and will be confirmed by the date of interview.
This is where your application form and training to date will be reviewed. This will include checking the documentation you have brought along to ensure all content on your application form is correct.
Interviewers will have spent time before you arrive checking your folder. They will spend the time with you at interview doing the following:
- Completing the evidence check and questioning you about any achievements they wish you to expand up on or clarify.
- Questioning you on the areas scored by interviewers:
- Your achievements and engagement with training and learning.
- Your suitability for and commitment to training in the specialty.
Prior to arriving at station 2 you will be given a clinical scenario to review. Upon arrival at the station you will be asked questions relating to this scenario.
The clinical scenario will be relatively brief (two/three sentences), so once you have read this, the remainder of the pre-station time will allow you to undertake some short preparation (just mental preparation - this does not mean making notes, etc.)
Scenario considerations
The scenario will describe a hypothetical clinical situation which has arisen in which you are, or have become, involved. Some points to consider when reviewing the scenario and preparing for discussion are:
- what steps you would take
- any potential treatments possible
- any further information you would gather
- how you would go about communicating with any people (eg patients, family members, colleagues) involved in the scenario.
You should also take into account any other factors you deem appropriate, using your experience and professional judgement.
Areas for assessment
One mark will be awarded to you based on your suggestions and responses to the clinical scenario. The second mark will be on the communication skills you display.
This will be both an assessment of how you would communicate with patients, colleagues, etc. in the scenario, as well as of how well you communicate with interviewers at the station.
This station will feature assessment of an ethical scenario, and discussion of a question on the subject of professionalism & governance.
Ethical scenario
As with the clinical scenario at station 2, this takes the form of a hypothetical situation, described briefly in text form, details of which will be given to you before arriving at the station.
This scenario focuses less on a clinical situation, and deals more with consideration of the moral, ethical, legal (etc.) issues which may arise in a particular situation.
The first area of assessment here will be your suggested reponses to the ethical scenario during discussion, as well as your knowledge of the different considerations required.
Professionalism & governance
Following the ethical scenario will be discussion of professionalism & governance.
This discussion will be prompted by a short question (often a single sentence) provided by interviewers. This will be given verbally by interviewers once ethical scenario discussion is finished.
This section of the interview is designed to assess your demonstration and understanding of professionalism and governance in a given situation.
Familiarise yourself with Good Medical Practice
Please note - assessment at station 3 is underpinned by the principles of GMC Good Medical Practice.
Interview scoring
Appointable - automatic
If you are awarded a score of at least 3/5, for all marks given to you at your interview, then you will automatically be classed as appointable.
Not appointable - automatic
If any of the 12 scores awarded to you at interview are 1/5, this will reflect poor performance and an area of major concern.
If four or more of your 12 interview scores are of 2/5, this will reflect several areas of concern across your whole interview.
Should your interview assessment fall under either category above, the level of concern over your potential progression to ST3 will see your application classed automatically as not appointable.
Appointability subject to panel decision
In the event that your 12 interview scores contain one, two or three marks of 2/5 (and the rest 3/5 or above), your appointability status will be subject to discussion in the post-interview 'wash-up' meeting.
The clinicians who have interviewed you will discuss your general performance during the interview and any concerns or otherwise they have about your application as a whole.
Should they deem it appropriate, your application will be classed as appointable, and you can then be considered for post offers; whereas if they feel their concerns are too substantial for this outcome, they must class your application as not appointable, and it will progress no further in the current recruitment round.
Review vs automatic status
Please note there is no distinction made between candidates judged as appointable automatically, and those classed as appointable on review. Once deemed appointable it is only your overall score which will be used to determine ranking.
Total score calculation
After interview, a weighting is applied to the scores in each area, as well as the application form score, to give a 'total score'. This score determines your ranking which is used to inform how offers are made. The weighting of different sections, as well as the method by which your total score is established, can be seen by clicking on 'Total score calculation' below.
Please note that this is subject to change, and will be confirmed by the date of interview.
Int. 1 | Int. 2 | Weighting | Max score | |
Station 1 | ||||
Evidence | / 5 | / 5 | x1.6 | / 16 |
Suitability for specialty | / 5 | / 5 | x1.2 | / 12 |
Station 2 | ||||
Clinical scenario | / 5 | / 5 | x1.6 | / 16 |
Communication mark | / 5 | / 5 | x0.8 | / 8 |
Station 3 | ||||
Ethical scenario | / 5 | / 5 | x1.6 | / 16 |
Professionalism and governance | / 5 | / 5 | x1.2 | / 12 |
Raw interview score | / 60 | |||
Interview score (including weighting) | / 80 | |||
Short-listing (app form) | / 80 | x0.25 | / 20 | |
Overall assessment score | / 100 |
As part of the process of applying to ST3, you may wish to gain an idea of how recruitment progressed in previous years for the various specialties participating in the nationally-coordinated recruitment.
To this end, we have published data dating back to 2013 (where this is available), based around four main areas:
-
Competition ratios - application numbers submitted to each specialty, along with the number of NTN and LAT posts available in each. It is worth noting that posts are subject to change throughout the round (increasing on average between 20-40%), and post numbers for this data are taken at the end of the round.
-
Shortlist scores - the scores awarded to all submitted applications, including average scores and distribution nationally.
-
Total scores - the total score awarded to all candidates who completed the full recruitment process for a specialty (application and interview), including some analysis of scores.
-
Post fill rates - the number of posts filled by region.
We have published information for all specialties participating in our process that year; consequently not all specialties will have data in all cases.
Round 1
Year | Apps. | NTN posts | LAT posts | Total posts | Comp. | Unique* |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2019 | 298 | 104 | 2 | 106 | 2.8 | 24% |
2018 | 244 | 129 | 1 | 130 | 1.9 | 29% |
2017 | 237 | 125 | 0 | 125 | 1.9 | 24% |
2016 | 230 | 117 | 2 | 118 | 2.2 | 23% |
2015 | 203 | 95 | 21 | 116 | 1.8 | 22% |
* the percentage of unique candidates that only applied to this specialty (out of the 24 PSRO-coordinated specialties)
Round 2
Year | Apps. | NTN posts | LAT posts | Total posts | Comp. |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
2018 | 115 | 62 | 0 | 62 | 1.9 |
2017 | 95 | 68 | 0 | 68 | 1.4 |
2016 | 71 | 48 | 1 | 49 | 1.4 |
2015 | 61 | 48 | 24 | 72 | 0.8 |
Provisional post numbers
Specialty vacancy numbers are available in the table below, broken down by region and divided between substantive national training number (NTN) and locum appointment for training (LAT) posts.
It is the intention that initial post numbers for all regions will be published prior to the application opening date, although this cannot be guaranteed. Numbers will be updated as and when notifications are received from each region and will be checked later in the round when programme preferences are open for selection.
Numbers subject to change
Please be aware that it is not uncommon for vacancy numbers to change throughout the round.
More commonly, post vacancy numbers can increase as the round goes on (and confirmation of posts becomes available); but it is also possible that numbers can reduce as well. On average post numbers rise between 20-40% from the start to the finish of the round but this can vary greatly for individual specialty/region combinations.
It is possible that regions which do not have a post at the start of the round may declare one after applications have closed. Whilst we try and minimise instances of this, it is not always possible to predict vacancies so even if there appears not to be a vacancy in your preferred specialty/region combination, you may wish to consider applying in case one becomes available during the round; you can check with the region concerned if you wish to check on the likelihood of a post arising.
Generally, once a region enter a post into a round they would always have at least one post available and would only withdraw it in exceptional circumstances.
Round 1 interview dates and posts
This round there are only planned to be posts in Scotland and Wales.
Region | NTN posts | LAT posts* | Evidence upload date(s) | Interview date(s) |
---|---|---|---|---|
Wales | 0-5 | N/A | 2 February - 8 February 2021 | TBC |
Scotland** |
3 |
N/A | 1 February - 8 February 2021 | 21 April 2021 |
HE London and Kent, Surrey & Sussex |
(London) N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
(Kent, Surrey, Sussex) N/A |
N/A | |||
HE West Midlands |
N/A | N/A | ||
HE East of England |
N/A | N/A | ||
HE East Midlands |
N/A | N/A | ||
HE North East |
N/A | N/A | ||
HE North West |
(Mersey) N/A |
N/A | ||
(North Western) N/A |
N/A | |||
HE Yorkshire & Humber |
N/A |
N/A | ||
HE South West |
(Peninsula) N/A
|
N/A | ||
(Severn) N/A |
N/A | |||
HE Wessex |
N/A | N/A | ||
HE Thames Valley | N/A | N/A |
*English LATs
Please note, English regions do not recruit to LAT posts.
**Scotland post numbers
If you are interested in working in Scotland, a breakdown of post numbers by the four Scottish deaneries is available on the Scottish Medical Training website. This has details of all specialty training post numbers in Scotland, including specialties which are not part of the nationally-coordinated process.
Please note that whilst we endeavour to keep the Physician ST3 recruitment website up to date, the SMT website will always be the more accurate one where they differ.
Interview Content
The interview will consist of three questions which range between 5-10 minutes in length. You will be marked on these three questions and your communication skills, giving four scored areas in total. You will be scored by two interviewers on each question.
Including time for questioning and scenario reading, the interview will be approximately 30 minutes.
Please note that this is subject to change and will be confirmed by the date of interview.
Prior to this question you will be given a clinical scenario and a short while to review it. You will then be asked questions relating to this scenario. Your communication skills will only be assessed during this question and marked accordingly. This question will last approximately 10 minutes.
The clinical scenario will be relatively brief (two/three sentences), so once you have read this, the remainder of the reading time will allow some short preparation (just mental preparation - this does not mean making notes, etc.).
Clinical scenario considerations
The scenario will describe a hypothetical clinical situation which has arisen in which you are, or have become, involved. Some points to consider when reviewing the scenario and preparing for discussion are:
- what steps you would take
- any potential treatments possible
- any further information you would gather
- how you would go about communicating with any people (eg patients, family members, colleagues) involved in the scenario
You should also consider any other factors you deem appropriate, using your experience and professional judgement.
Areas for assessment
One mark will be awarded to you based on your suggestions and responses to the clinical scenario . The second mark will be on the communication skills you display.
This will be both an assessment of how you would communicate with patients, colleagues, etc. in the scenario, as well as of how well you communicate with interviewers.
This is where your application form and training to date will be reviewed. Interviewers will ask you questions based on your career, achievements to date and your engagement with training and learning.
It is important to recognise that the scores awarded to you will not purely be about your achievements, as this already contributes towards the scoring via your application form. Interviewers will be deciding upon scores via a combination of factors, for example: your responses to the questions asked, the breadth and quality of your achievements and your career progression.
This question will take approximately 5 minutes.
This question will focus on your suitability for and commitment to ST3 training in the specialty and give you opportunity to expand on the information provided in your application form.
This question will last approximately 5 minutes.
Scoring Framework
The score of 1-5 an interviewer will award you for each assessment area is judged in relation to how well you perform against an expected level. Below is the framework used to award scores at interview, as well as interpretation of what these scores represent:
Mark
|
Rating
|
Assessment
|
1 |
poor |
not considered appointable |
2 |
area for concern |
performed below the level expected; possibly unappointable, subject to discussion and performance in other areas |
3 |
satisfactory |
performed at the level expected during CT2; the candidate is suitable for an ST3 / LAT post |
4 |
good |
above average ability; the candidate is suitable for an ST3 / LAT post |
5 |
excellent |
highly performing trainee; the candidate is suitable for an ST3 / LAT post |
As shown in the table, for each of the question areas at interview, 3/5 is considered a satisfactory score; and reflects the level of performance that would be expected of a trainee ready to progress to a specialty training programme.
Should your performance go above and beyond this expected level, interviewers can award marks of 4/5 or 5/5 as appropriate.
Conversely, should your interview performance not reach the expected level, then interviewers can award marks of 1/5 or 2/5, as reflects their level of concern over your performance.
Appointability
From the eight scores awarded during your interview, an 'appointability' status will be calculated to determine whether you can be considered for an offer.
The intention is to ensure successful candidates can display competence consistently across all areas of assessment covered at interview, rather than allowing outstanding achievement in one or more areas to make up for sub-par performance elsewhere.
Appointability is awarded automatically and is based on two factors: individual interview scores and the 'raw interview score'.
Appointability criteria
To be classed as 'appointable', you must meet three criteria below:
- none of your 8 interview scores can be 1/5
- no more than two of your 8 interview scores can be 2/5
- your RIS must be 24 or above.
If you meet all three requirements, your application will be assessed as appointable, and can progress to be considered for post offers.
However, if you fail to meet any of these requirements, your application must then be assessed as not appointable, and it will progress no further in that round.
Total Score
After interview, a weighting is applied to the scores in each area, as well as your application score.
These scores are then combined to give your total score which determines your ranking, which will in turn be used to inform how offers are made. The weighting of different sections, as well as the method by which your total score is established, is detailed in the table accessible through the link below:
|
Interviewer 1
|
Interviewer 2
|
Weighting
|
Max score
|
Question 1
|
||||
Clinical Scenario
|
/ 5
|
/ 5
|
2.5
|
25
|
Communication
|
/ 5
|
/ 5
|
1.2
|
12
|
Question 2
|
||||
Application & Training
|
/ 5
|
/ 5
|
2.5
|
25
|
Question 3
|
|
|
|
|
Suitability & Commitment
|
/ 5
|
/ 5
|
1.8
|
18
|
Raw interview score
|
/ 40
|
|||
Interview score (w weighting)
|
/ 80
|
|||
Application score
|
/ 56
|
0.36
|
/ 20.16
|
|
Total score
|
/ 100.16
|
Total Score
After interview, a weighting is applied to the scores in each area, as well as your application score.
These scores are then combined to give your total score which determines your ranking, which will in turn be used to inform how offers are made. The weighting of different sections, as well as the method by which your total score is established, is detailed in the table accessible below:
|
Interviewer 1
|
Interviewer 2
|
Weighting
|
Max score
|
Question 1 |
||||
Clinical scenario |
/ 5 |
/ 5 |
2.5 |
25 |
Communication |
/ 5 |
/ 5 |
1.2 |
12 |
Question 2 |
||||
Presentation |
/ 5 |
/ 5 |
1.8 |
18 |
Question 3 |
||||
Suitability & Commitment |
/ 5 |
/ 5 |
2.5 |
25 |
Raw interview score |
/ 40 |
|||
Interview score (w weighting) |
/ 80 |
|||
Application score |
/ 56 |
0.36 |
/ 20.16 |
|
Total score |
/ 100.16 |