Trainees & Training

The RCPE recognises that Trainee Doctors have distinct educational and professional needs during their training periods. We also recognise that the current, and fluid, system of Specialty Training in the UK can be confusing for those considering a specialty career in medicine. We, therefore, provide a number of services specifically for Trainees, largely overseen by our Trainees and Members’ Committee - a representative forum for Trainee Doctors who are members of the RCPE. Whilst this information is aimed primarily at Trainees, some of this information may also be of use to trained doctors involved in supervising training.

RCPE resources specifically for Trainees, in addition to the services provided by the Trainees and Members’ Committee, include –

• our introductory guide to Specialty Training in Medicine in the UK

(including links to details of competition ratios in each of the specialties);

• our guide on how to enrol with the Joint Royal Colleges of Physicians’ Training Board (JRCPTB), a pre-requisite for doctors undertaking specialty training in medicine;
• a regularly updated website guide to the ongoing Changes in UK Training under the Modernising Medical Careers (MMC) programme; and
• a Trainees section of our online specialty modules (restricted access to Fellows, Members and Associates)

In addition, Trainees can derive much value by accessing other College resources developed for the membership as a whole including –

• our ongoing educational programme of events
• webstreamed lectures from symposia (restricted access to Fellows, Members and Associates)
• The Journal of the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh

Interested in becoming a Member in order to access our full range of benefits? Join today

We have specifically developed a range of membership grades for Trainee Doctors at different stages of their career which offer a host of educational, professional and personal benefits with very competitive subscription rates. Access our How to Join section for further details of these membership grades and benefits.

Are you considering a career in medicine?

The Department of Health has recently re-launched its Medical Careers website (www.medicalcareers.nhs.uk). The site is free to use and should be of interest to all medical students, postgraduate doctors, trainers and career specialists. The site has a suite of career planning tools to help all those within the medical field come to a well informed and realistic decision about their career by looking at self assessment, career exploration, decision making and plan implementation. There is also a comprehensive list of over 60 specialties with detailed information on the various options that are available to those planning a career in medicine that look in detail at different aspects of the specialty.