What’s it like to be a Single CCT ICM Trainee?
Callum Taylor — callumtaylor4@nhs.scot
2022-11-29
Why Did I Pick Single Spec ICM?: Positives
- I wanted to do ICM:
- “We’ve six months to convince you to join our spec”
- I knew that single spec was an option:
- Single spec consultants showed it was possible
Why Did I Pick Single Spec ICM?: Negatives
- The options for dual training didn’t appeal
- I ignored the people telling me not to:
“Ewww”
“But why?”
“You’ll hate it and burn out”
My Experiences: Timeline
- 2015-2020: ACCS-AM,
- + EADTMH, ICM LAT, MA, Hospice, Covid ICU
- 2020-08: Stage One - Anaesthetics
- 2021-02: Stage Two - ICM, Neuro, Cardiac,
Paeds
- 2022-02: Stage Two - SSY (+ FFICM)
- 2023-02: OOPR - MD
- 2024-02: Stage Three - Advanced Year
- 2025-02: CCT
My Experiences of It: Curriculum
Reasons To Pick It: SSY
- Research
- QI
- Education
- Echo
- Paeds/Cardiothoracic/Neurosurgical
- ECMO
- Home Ventilation
- Transfer Medicine / PHEM
SSY: Flexibility
- Research:
- Excellent Supervisors
- Research Skills Training
- Great Cohort
- Project tailored to you:
- Computing / Data Science
- Supervising BSc Students
- Clinical Interests:
- Flexible: Palliative Care Time
Problems To Know Before: Scotland
- No one knows what you are
- You don’t know what you are
- This was difficult until post FFICM/Special Skills
- Residual hostility to concept
- Uncertainty about future
“Ewww”
“But why?”
“You’ll hate it and burn out”
Problems To Know Before: Silver Linings
- All the previous problems will improve over next few years
- You get to decide what you are:
- More opportunity to follow own interests
Would I Recommend It?
- Yes if:
- You want to do ICM: ✔️
- and other specs don’t appeal
- Or you can see all the advantages to it:
- Faster
- Following Your Own Interests
- Flexibility
- Less Exams!
- (You can ignore the leftover confusion/hostility)