Basic Specialist Training

Basic Specialist Training (BST) is a foundational program conducted within hospital settings, typically during Senior House Officer roles. This training is designed to equip you with the essential skills and knowledge needed for Higher Specialist Training, which represents the concluding phase of your specialist education.

Basic Specialist Training is organized to allow you to switch to a new role every three to six months, giving you exposure to various subspecialties and clinical teams. All positions approved for BST in Ireland are full-time and come with a salary. Alongside hands-on clinical training under supervision in the hospital, you will also be required to pass exams and attend courses aimed at enhancing your professional development and equipping you with the skills and knowledge necessary for exceptional patient care.

You will follow a predetermined two-year rotation, with a clear schedule outlining your posts in advance. This rotation includes a full 24 months dedicated to pure Histopathology.Alongside supervised hospital training, you must complete several mandatory courses designed to foster your professional growth and equip you with the non-clinical skills essential for exceptional patient care. During your second year of BST, you will undergo an aptitude assessment. This evaluation aims to confirm your suitability for Histopathology before you invest further time in the training.

What is Basic Specialist Training?

Basic Specialist Training (BST) involves two years of training in accredited Senior House Officer (SHO) positions, which represent the initial stage following an Internship.

In General Internal Medicine, BST is regulated and certified by the Royal College of Physicians of Ireland (RCPI). Since 1999, completing this training has been a requisite for entry into most, though not all, RCPI-accredited Higher Specialist Training Programs (Specialist Registrar training).

The BST program must be completed in a two-year rotation approved by RCPI. Trainees in General Internal Medicine are required to pass the MRCPI examination to receive a certificate of completion for BST.

The program not only focuses on acquiring specific clinical skills and competencies but also emphasizes personal development. This includes leadership, teamwork, communication, presentation skills, basic management, and audit—key components of the BST.

Each rotation must adhere to the curriculum’s criteria and receive RCPI approval. All posts must comply with statutory guidelines regarding work hours and conditions for doctors in training.

BST Site Visits involve evaluating rotations with Regional Programme Directors, ensuring the quality of the academic training environment, and gathering feedback from both trainers and trainees.

What is a BST in Medicine?

Membership of the Royal College of Physicians of Ireland (MRCPI) is a prestigious and internationally recognized standard of excellence, highly esteemed by healthcare employers across the globe.

Achieving the MRCPI involves passing a rigorous examination. The MRCPI in General Medicine is endorsed by the Medical Council of Ireland as the premier knowledge-based assessment for internal medicine within the country and a critical element of specialist training in Ireland.

Additionally, the MRCPI in General Medicine is acknowledged by the General Medical Council in the UK. This recognition allows international medical graduates who hold the MRCPI qualification to apply for full registration and a license to practice in the UK.

After completing Basic Specialist Training, doctors may opt to advance their careers by pursuing Higher Specialist Training (HST). At this stage, they must choose the specialty they wish to focus on.

For those interested in specializing in Cardiology, it’s essential to be aware of the following entry requirements: To apply for Higher Specialist Training in Cardiology, candidates must have successfully completed at least two years of Basic Specialist Training (BST) in approved posts and must have obtained the MRCPI qualification.

What Does a Basic Specialist Training Do?

Basic Specialist Training (BST) marks the initial phase following your intern year as you embark on a career in Medicine. Specifically, BST in General Internal Medicine is a two-year program involving supervised clinical training through Senior House Officer (SHO) roles. Completing the intern year is a crucial prerequisite.

Your BST will involve a structured rotation, with a clear outline of your posts for the entire two-year period. The rotation consists of eight 3-month placements, covering essential core elements:

  1. You will rotate through three of the following five core specialties:
    • Cardiology
    • Respiratory Medicine
    • Geriatric Medicine
    • Endocrinology
    • Gastroenterology
  2. You must spend at least six months working outside of Ireland’s metropolitan areas, which include the Dublin, Cork, and Galway Metropolitan Areas.
  3. Your training will include time in both a level 4 hospital and a level 3 or 2 hospital.
  4. Each training site will feature a core academic program, including journal clubs, case-based small group teaching, grand rounds, and multidisciplinary team (MDT) meetings.

For each rotation, you will be assigned a dedicated trainer to guide your professional development.

The diverse range of posts within the BST program ensures comprehensive exposure to General Medical Specialties throughout the two-year duration.

Alongside the supervised clinical training in the hospital, you must successfully pass the Membership of the Royal College of Physicians of Ireland (MRCPI) examination in General Internal Medicine. Additionally, you will need to complete several mandatory courses designed to enhance your professional development and equip you with essential non-clinical skills for providing outstanding patient care. Entry into the BST program is competitive.

Throughout the BST program, you are required to maintain an up-to-date ePortfolio, which will document your training, educational achievements, and assessment activities. The ePortfolio serves as the official record of your successful completion of the training program at its conclusion.

What is a Basic Specialist Training in the Program?

The BST in General Internal Medicine is a comprehensive and versatile training program, giving you the opportunity to explore a wide range of subspecialties. It lays a strong foundation for advancing into 23 different specialties, making it an excellent choice if you wish to maintain flexibility in your career path.

Completing BST in General Internal Medicine is a critical prerequisite for entering Higher Specialist Training in several fields, including:

  • Cardiology
  • Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics
  • Clinical Genetics
  • Dermatology
  • Endocrinology and Diabetes Mellitus
  • Gastroenterology
  • Genitourinary Medicine
  • Geriatric Medicine
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Medical Oncology
  • Nephrology
  • Neurology
  • Palliative Medicine
  • Rehabilitation Medicine
  • Respiratory Medicine
  • Rheumatology

Additionally, completing BST in General Internal Medicine will help you fulfill the entry requirements for Higher Specialist Training in the following specialties:

  • Chemical Pathology
  • Clinical Microbiology
  • Haematology
  • Immunology
  • Occupational Medicine
  • Public Health Medicine
  • Radiology.

Basic Specialist Training in General Internal Medicine is a two-year program carried out in Senior House Officer (SHO) roles.

During this time, you will be assigned to a two-year rotation, with a clear schedule of your posts provided in advance. Every three months, you’ll rotate to a different SHO post, ensuring diverse clinical experience.

You will spend at least 12 months in roles that involve acute unselected medical ‘take’ (general medical on-call duties), and you will rotate through at least three of the following core specialties:

  • Cardiology
  • Respiratory Medicine
  • Geriatric Medicine
  • Endocrinology
  • Gastroenterology

About BST in General Paediatrics

The Basic Specialist Training (BST) in Paediatrics is structured as a two-year rotation, giving you a clear schedule of the posts you will be working in throughout the program. Your rotation will include the following core components:

  • General Paediatrics: You will spend at least six months gaining experience in general paediatrics.
  • Neonatology: Another six months will be dedicated to training in neonatology.
  • Subspecialty Exposure: You will also gain experience in community paediatrics, paediatric emergency medicine, or another paediatric subspecialty, such as cardiology or gastroenterology. No more than six months will be spent in any one subspecialty.

In addition to the supervised clinical training in the hospital, you are required to pass the Membership of the Royal College of Physicians of Ireland (MRCPI) examination in Paediatrics. You will also need to complete several mandatory courses.

Throughout the year, study days will be held, and you are expected to attend at least 10 of these sessions during your BST.

About BST in Histopathology

You will be assigned to a two-year rotation, giving you a clear understanding of the posts you will work in throughout the program. This rotation will consist of 24 months dedicated entirely to Histopathology.

In addition to the supervised hospital training, you must attend several mandatory courses designed to enhance your professional development and help you acquire the non-clinical skills and knowledge necessary for delivering high-quality patient care.

During the second year of your BST, you will be required to undergo an aptitude assessment. This assessment aims to ensure that you have the aptitude for Histopathology before investing further time into the training.

About BST in Obstetrics and Gynaecology

Higher Specialist Training (HST) in Obstetrics and Gynaecology is a five-year program conducted in Specialist Registrar (SpR) roles.

Upon successful completion of HST, you will be awarded a Certificate of Satisfactory Completion of Specialist Training (CSCST), which qualifies you to join the Specialist Division of the Register with the Medical Council. This registration is essential for applying to consultant positions.

Many doctors choose to gain additional experience abroad, enhancing their portfolios with research, audits, and publications before pursuing a consultant role. However, completing HST and registering on the Specialist Division of the Register fulfills the primary requirement for consultant appointments.

For detailed information on what HST in Obstetrics and Gynaecology entails, please download the curriculum provided below.

To be eligible to apply for HST in Obstetrics and Gynaecology, you must meet the following criteria:

  • A certificate of completion of Basic Specialist Training (BST) in Obstetrics and Gynaecology
  • MRCPI in Obstetrics and Gynaecology, MRCOG, or evidence of an equivalent qualification
  • At least 36 months of experience in obstetrics and gynaecology

Basic Specialist Training (BST) & Higher Specialist Training (HST)

Your Higher Specialist Training (HST) program in Obstetrics and Gynaecology will include the following core components:

  • Diverse Clinical Exposure: You will gain experience in obstetrics and gynaecology across various settings. It is including standalone maternity hospitals, academic teaching hospitals, and both voluntary and HSE facilities.
  • Regional Clinical Training: The first three years of your HST will be dedicated to full-time clinical Specialist Registrar (SpR) posts in regional hospital hubs across Ireland. These hub allocations are determined through a random selection process for trainees who successfully pass the interview stage.
  • Mandatory Hub Commitment: You are required to complete the first three years of your program within your assigned hub. If you take leave during this period, you will continue with your scheduled rotations. And make up for any missed time at the same or a similar clinical site within the same hub. The National Specialty Directors have the final say in all allocation decisions.
  • Out of Programme Experience (OCPE): After completing three years of clinical training, you may apply for up to 12 months’ credit towards your Certificate of Satisfactory Completion of Specialist Training (CSCST) for a research or clinical post outside of the program. If your OCPE application is approved, you must meet specific criteria outlined in the HST Handbook to receive the credit.
  • Final Two Years: If you do not pursue an OCPE, you will have the opportunity to rank your preferred clinical hospital sites for the final two years of your SpR training. The National Specialty Directors will make the final allocation decisions.
  • Special Interest Modules: In your fourth or fifth year, you can choose one of the following special interest modules:
    • Gynaecology
    • Maternal Medicine
    • Urogynaecology/Urodynamics
    • Labour Ward
  • Completion of Training: Your final six months of HST must be completed in a full-time clinical post within Ireland.
Back to top button