The departments of General medicine at Landspitali operate formal postgraduate courses in internal medicine, based on a model JRCPTB.

Duration: 5 years

Collaboration: Royal College of Physicians

Specialist training in internal medicine

Specialist training in internal medicine is a competency-based programme carried out in the departments of internal medicine at Landspítali University Hospital (LSH) and Akureyri Hospital (SAk). Emphasis is placed on providing training in the management of a wide range of clinical problems within internal medicine by developing skills, knowledge, clinical judgment, and professionalism.

Trainees gain exposure to most subspecialties of internal medicine and work on the front line in the assessment and follow-up of acutely ill patients, in addition to participating in the teaching of medical students and foundation-level trainees.

There is a strong tradition of research conducted alongside postgraduate training, and trainees may be granted two months of protected research time during the training period should they choose to pursue research in parallel with their specialist training.

Specialist training in internal medicine is divided into two parts. The first part consists of a three-year core training programme in internal medicine, accredited by the Joint Royal Colleges of Physicians Training Board (JRCPTB), and is comparable to Internal Medicine Training (IMT) in the United Kingdom. Completion of the first part requires fulfillment of the defined competency requirements, completion of a quality improvement project, and attainment of the MRCP (UK) Diploma, which is awarded upon passing three examinations: MRCP Parts 1 and 2 (written) and PACES (clinical). Upon completion of the first part, trainees may apply to enter the second stage of specialist training, which is a two-year advanced programme leading to full specialist certification in internal medicine.

Training in internal medicine is jointly delivered by SAk and LSH, and trainees are expected to work at both institutions unless special circumstances preclude this. The duration of training placements at SAk is determined by mutual agreement, with a maximum duration of 12 months.

Focus

Emphasis is placed on training in basic aspects of internal medicine and approach to clinical problems by building up skills, sound judgment and professionalism.

Specialist trainees

• get insight into most specialties of internal medicine

• get insight into frontline work in the reception of critically ill patients

• participate in the teaching of medical students and foundation year trainees

There is a strong emphasis on scientific work alongside the postgraduate training, and specialist trainees may be granted two research months during their training period if they choose to undertake research in parallel with their specialty training. Trainees are required to work on a defined quality improvement project during the training period, which may be carried out in teams or smaller groups. .

Teaching location

Most specialist training takes place at Landspítali, but also at Akureyri Hospital in most specialties.

Collaboration has been established between SAk and the general internal medicine departments for specialist training, and specialist trainees are expected to work in both locations unless special circumstances prevent it.