pc11 wrote: » That's something I've wondered about: how hard is it to start in either hospital or GP training but change later if you wish? You get the impression it's a fairly final decision, but there must be ways to switch as you say. In particular, I have thought I might be interested in doing hospital training in general medicine, and I would imagine that's relatively transferable to GP if I wanted to. I wonder how many people start medicine with a clear idea of here they want to end up and how many change their mind, perhaps many times, as they go?
Imperial_Ldn wrote: » the majority of GP training is in hospital, very little is actually GP practice! But for transferring from a GP training scheme to an internal med one, I don't think they allow you transfer your training years from one to another. E.g. a friend of mine was consultant paeds who went back to do GP and had to spend 6 months training in Paeds as part of her GP training!
Training is of 4 years duration. In general, the first two years are spent in approved hospital training posts, and the balance spent in general practice under the supervision of a general practitioner trainer. At the end of formal training a certificate of satisfactory completion of training (CSCT) is issued by the training programme.
Vorsprung wrote: » Back on topic, I'm hoping to get onto GP next year, I'll have done at least a year of the scheme (paeds ED, ED x years, geris x 1 yr, few medical jobs). Has to be done because the jobs here needed to be filled (for purely service reasons, and particularly so now with the lack of NCHDs). Will be nice to be an SHO again (if I get on, sniff!).
Abby19 wrote: » Do they recognise your previous experience now? I've known a few who have done medical or surgical SHO training (some even left SpR schemes) and their experience was not counted. They've had to do the full 2 years GP SHO in hospital then 2 years GP Reg in practice.
Flange/Flanders wrote: » She's graduated about 4 years ago I think, just got on a GP scheme now.
BobbyOLGrinds wrote: » Due to the competiiveness of entry to the GP training scheme. Supply and demand and whatnot.
pc11 wrote: » Does this happen to many people? What do they do for the years after graduating??
BobbyOLGrinds wrote: » Happens to loads of people. Similar with the Radiology scheme. People going for GP tend to, and this is a broad sweeping statement, go for the medical SHO scheme. Those wanting to do Radiology go for the surgical scheme. With the changes to the surgical scheme it'll be interesting to see if this will continue but we'll see over the next few years. Becoming a GP is tough. I don't know where this notion of "Oh if it doesn't work out in the hospital I'll just become a GP" came from. Not to say that's your view but you'll see as you go through college that many people have this mindset. The scheme is tough to get on at the best of times. Some people get on it straight away but a lot do a few years of the medical or surgical schemes before moving over.
pc11 wrote: » So, getting on a GP scheme is relatively tough compared to some other options? And people often apply for both a hospital job and a GP place and just take the hospital one until they can get in to GP which could be a year or 2 or 3? And they have to start from scratch on the GP scheme no matter what they've been doing, am I understanding this right? So, what make a good GP scheme applicant? Med school placing? Internship performance? Research published? Kissing ass? References from GPs? I've no idea yet what way I want to go, but GP is a strong possibility alright.
Abby19 wrote: » In a word - yes! They are competitive. Some schemes/specialities are more in demand than others. You can apply for up to 4 GP training schemes. There are 14 around the country. But you can also apply for other training schemes, medical, surgical, psychiatry, obs/gynae, etc. But yes - at the moment no matter what you do if you are starting on a GP training scheme you start at the same point. Two years GP SHO in hospitals, then two years 2 years GP reg in practice (I know some schemes do it in that order - not sure if all). There was talk of acknowledging previous experience, but that is stalled afaik http://www.imt.ie/news/latest-news/2012/05/no-movement-on-fast-track-gp-training-programme.html Payscales for interns and SHOs are here http://www.hse.ie/eng/staff/Benefits_Services/pay/July%202013.pdf What are they looking for? There's a fair bit of info on here http://www.icgp.ie/index.cfm?spPath=become_a_gp/training_news/49D49E8F-19B9-E185-8335C7C3BC7AED7B.html But you haven't started med school yet - some people have very firm ideas entering and aren't swayed from day 1, but many are from lectures/placements/electives. Maybe hang on and wait till you are doing your GP/Public Health and Primary Care module and ask your lecturers then. Things may change. You will also be on placement and many of the GPs that take med students are also GP trainers, so you could ask them what their particular schemes are looking for. I have heard anecdotally that the Dublin schemes are harder to get into - more applicants - supply and demand. Also that some of them will only consider you if you have them as your #1, but this started to change last year - not sure about this year.
pc11 wrote: » Great post, thanks.
To repeat something that was explained to me here before, getting on GP schemes are like applying for jobs, with interviews, references and so on. However, I had imagined it being more like applying for a college place. I hadn't quite understood that for a while.
When you're on a GP scheme, I gather your pay matches the hospital SHO rates, right? Do many people take longer than the standard 4 years to complete the training?
Is it possible to give some idea of what hospital specialities or schemes are also relatively hard to get into and which are easier?
stainluss wrote: » UCD is well-known university in its own right, but (from reading this thread) RCSI seems to get a lot of Americans and assists with US exams.
Hypnos wrote: » Well that's the exact reason why the get more Americans isn't it? Because they assist with prep for the USMLE (from what I hear). Being an Irish student and having no interest in practicing in the US it doesn't make a difference to me. If I wanted to go to the US, I still wouldn't base my choice of University on that. No matter where you finish med school you can sit the USMLEs. You need to be a little self reliant and not expect and Irish med school to prepare you for a US med exam. It's nice if they do (and bound to attract more internationals), but you shouldn't expect it as common courtesy. Besides, if you're focused and dedicated, you'll pass the USMLEs regardless of where you graduate. Having spoken to some US students who are my classmates now, they said the exam is designed to be passed by those who did well in med school. Stop worrying
stainluss wrote: » Yeah I've always been ok with self-directed study. But would one be better than the other in terms of rep when you're competing for fellowship places etc.?
Celestial12 wrote: » Sorry to bump an old thread. I read through these pages a few months ago and found it quite interesting and informative. If any of you are still around, you'll have finished your degree by now. Are you happy with the decision and how was the experience for you? I have UCD down as my first choice, but I never really gave the option of RCSI a chance. Just wondering how up to date is the information in this thread? Are RCSI gems still based out in sandyford?
GrabTheCREAM wrote: » I think some of it is in the main campus in the city then other classes are in sandyford
Kirby2k07 wrote: » As far as I know since the York street building for undergrads finished last year, they’ve shifted the whole gem operation into town, converting the old Mercer library (a building where king street meets south William street, which I had no idea rcsi owned) into the main location for classes instead of Sandyford
SplishySplashy wrote: » Just going back to the subject of accommodation for incoming GEMs in Dublin, what are the typical go-tos for people that haven't done their undergrad in Dublin and don't know many other incoming GEMs/postgrad students or any peers in Dublin? Thinking of either staying in Cork or relocating to Dublin for UCD instead of RCSI, though I may reverse that preference. Planning on looking/booking as early as possible for a 2019/2020 start, depending on if I want to do my add-on year. Obviously cost and distance are issues but ideally any complexes that allow me to mix with as many other GEMs in my year and above as possible would be good, as well as bus routes/DART routes. Very unfamiliar with Dublin accommodation so as comprehensive an answer as possible would be great!
