Internal Medicine Training (IMT) Application & Recruitment Guide is the largest hospital-based training program outside of the foundation program and is second only to GP training in size, with 1670 posts available in 2023. Whether you want to become a world-class generalist or even a gastroenterologist in the medical specialities, the traditional …

The Ophthalmology ST1 application is renowned for its fierce competition, demanding more than just academic prowess. With a competition ratio of 9.91 in 2023, it ranks as the 5th most competitive CT/ST1 specialty. Aspiring ophthalmologists encounter a rigorous selection process, necessitating a strategic approach for success. Within this article, w…

Returning to the UK from down under can mark a substantial transition, particularly for medical professionals various couses e.g. Radiology . Whether it's driven by family commitments, a desire to reconnect with old friends, or simply yearning for the familiarity of British traditions like a proper cup of tea, the prospect may appear daunting. Howe…

Gastroenterology stands out as a popular choice among medical specialties like Neurology, drawing significant interest and fostering intense competition. In the initial round of 2023, there were 309 applications vying for 111 positions, resulting in a ratio of 2.78 applicants per slot. Similarly, the competition in the first round of 2022 mirrored …

The Radiology ST1 interview guide marks a pivotal moment for budding radiologists. This article serves as a guide, steering prospective candidates through the intricacies of the interview process. From grasping the competitiveness of the field to unraveling the interview structure, this comprehensive resource is tailored to furnish you with the ins…

Neurology presents a dynamic landscape where trainees navigate independently and within multidisciplinary teams (MDT) to address patients' immediate and enduring concerns. It's an ideal realm for individuals who: Possess adept clinical skills and effective communication abilities. Embrace a problem-solving approach, coupled with a keen interest in …

The Ophthalmology ST1 interview represents a crucial turning point for aspiring ophthalmologists, symbolizing the first significant stride towards a rewarding career in eye care. As the ultimate active phase in the ophthalmology ST1 application process, success here propels candidates into contention for a coveted training position. This rigorous s…

As an F3 doctor, I'm currently relishing my experience working in New Zealand. Reflecting on my F2 year in Exeter, I served as the president of the doctors' mess. Initially, upon entering the foundation program, I had little understanding of what a mess entailed or its benefits, let alone the responsibilities of joining the committee. I've crafted …

The Prescribing Safety Assessment (PSA) exam represents a joint venture between the British Pharmacological Society and MSC Assessment. This online evaluation among others such as PLAB1 Exam , operating on a pass/fail basis, appraises the prescribing proficiencies of final-year medical students. It correlates with the competencies outlined by the G…

After conquering the grueling MRCP Part 1 and Part 2 Written exams, the PACES exam stands as the final hurdle before earning the esteemed MRCP UK diploma and joining the prestigious Royal College of Physicians (London, Edinburgh, or Glasgow). This exam is relentless and demanding, with many candidates needing multiple attempts to pass. It's worth n…

This is an article about resources for the MRCP PACES exam. It discusses different resources including courses, books, podcasts, and blogs. Some resources are more helpful than others, depending on your learning style and budget. The article recommends using a variety of resources. Online courses are a good option for those who want access to instr…

Taking time out of training after finishing the Foundation years is becoming increasingly popular. There are many reasons why you may want to take time out of training, such as to travel, earn money, or enjoy some free time. One option for taking time out of training is to work in a Teaching Fellow Job. Teaching Fellows are doctors who spend a prop…

A side hustle is a business that you can run alongside your full-time employment. There are many reasons why doctors might want to start a side hustle, such as to earn extra money, pursue something outside of clinical work, or gain new skills. Some common side hustle ideas for doctors include medical education, medical writing, health tech, and con…

The NHS Foundation Programme is a two-year training program for newly graduated doctors. It provides them with the skills, knowledge, and experiences they need to become competent and compassionate clinicians. In this article, Dr Kuvira Manamperi discusses the pros and cons of joining the foundation programme as an IMG, as well as when FY2 standalo…

In this article by Dr Tirth Vasa, we explore the anaesthetist's perspective on difficult cannulation. He explores his top 8 tips on how to get the cannula in event the most difficult of veins. Dr Vasa will help you to become one with the vein and succeed in difficult IV access.Av MedCourse

This article describes the author's experience of working as a doctor in the aftermath of the Easter Sunday bombings in Sri Lanka in 2019. The author, Mahen Elapatha, describes the chaos and devastation of the attacks, and the challenges of working in a resource-limited setting. The author arrived at the scene of the attacks shortly after they happ…

The article "Transition: IMG to NHS" by MedCourse provides a comprehensive guide for international medical graduates (IMGs) who are looking to transition to the NHS. The article covers a wide range of topics, including: The eligibility requirements for IMGs to work in the NHS The application process for IMGs to work in the NHS The challenges that I…

The article "A Back Pocket Guide to Your First 'On-call' Shift" by MedCourse provides a comprehensive guide for junior doctors who are about to start their first on-call shift. The article covers a wide range of topics, including: What is an on-call shift? What to expect during an on-call shift How to prepare for an on-call shift How to stay safe d…

In this article we discuss the Medical Training Initiative. The author, Tirth, decided to apply for the MTI scheme in the UK, which is a program for international medical graduates to train in the NHS for up to 24 months. The author describes the MTI process as daunting and complicated. They had to meet certain eligibility criteria, including havin…

A personal account of the challenges and rewards of being an FY1 doctor. The author describes the long hours, high workload, and financial struggles that are often associated with the job. However, they also highlight the satisfaction of helping patients and the opportunities to learn and grow as a doctor. One of the biggest challenges the author f…

The author, Nikhil Ahluwalia, is a Medical Registrar who has interviewed and successfully placed many ST4 interview candidates. He shares his top tips, including: Show your enthusiasm! If you're not excited about the specialty, the interviewers won't be either. Make sure you convey your passion for the field, and smile! Be prepared to answer common…

Guilt, stress, and remorse are common feelings that doctors new and old feel on a daily basis. In this podcast, we read an article on guilt as a junior doctor, by Dr Kuvira Manamperi. You can find more experiences on our website, as well as useful blog articles. You can also find Kuvira's other article on becoming an fy1.…

Going on a medical expedition can be a daunting task, but it is important to be prepared with the right equipment. This article discusses the essential equipment that you will need for your first medical expedition, including medical supplies, personal gear, and expedition-specific gear. The article begins by discussing the medical supplies that yo…

IV cannulation is a common medical procedure, but it can be emotionally challenging for junior doctors. The article discusses the emotional aspects of IV cannulation, including anxiety, stress, and guilt. It also talks about how to cope with these emotions and provide optimal patient care. The article begins by describing the emotional challenges t…

The PLAB 1 exam is a written, multiple-choice question (MCQ) exam that tests candidates on their ability to approach and manage clinical situations commonly encountered as an FY2 or house officer in UK hospitals. The exam is held four times a year in the UK and in international centres. The GMC released exam seats for August and November 2023 in De…

In this article, we go through the 2023 changes to the MRCP PACES format. This includes: Updates to communication skills station Changes to the clinical encounters Removal of history stations If you're still on MRCP Part 1, check out our guide to the part 1 exam or our ultimate guide to IMT.Av MedCourse

Trembling in your boots thinking about your first shift in the emergency department? Don't worry, we got you. In this article, Dr Callum Airlie gives you his top 11 tips for smashing your first shift, as well as a rundown on how the ED works in the UK. Thinking about ACCS as a training pathway? Check out our guide to ACCS training.…

For core and accs anaesthetic trainees who need to get to the next stage of their career, the FRCA Primary MCQ is the first exam you'll need to face. In this article, we go over the exam format, exam dates, pass mark, and the updates for the september 2023 exam. Check out the FRCA Exam article here. If you want to know more about Anaesthetics, chec…

In this guide to becoming an offshore medic, Dr Hrushikesh talks you through the qualifications needed to become an offshore medic, as well as his experience of being an oil rig doctor. Check out the article on becoming an offshore medic here. Thinking about an alternative career? Check out our blog content on beyond medicine.…

Working as an expedition medic is no doubt exciting, but there are plenty of challenges to getting the job in the first place! In this article, Dr Dawn Barlow talks you through her tips for getting your first expedition as a junior doctor. Also check out our expedition medicine and pre-hospital medicine courses to learn more!…

In this episode, Dr Ian Stell from Bromley Emergency Courses discusses his top 5 tips to passing the MRCEM primary exam. This is incredibly useful if you are considering ACCS EM as a career path. Check out our exam courses for the MRCEM primary.Av MedCourse

Anyone who is looking to move from the UK to New Zealand to work as a doctor should listen to this guide! We discuss: - All of the must-knows for working in NZ as a junior doc - How to make the most of your adventures - Keeping on top of your portfolio while thereAv MedCourse

In this article by Dr Victoria Kinkaid, we discuss how to keep your medical portfolio in top notch condition, including: - How to capture all of your CBDs/mini-CEX's like a portfolio pirate. - How to manage your QIPs. - Making the most of portfolio for interviews.Av MedCourse

Thinking about applying to anaesthetics in 2023? Get all the info you need right here: Advice from an anaesthetic registrar The interview process Timeline Format Clinical Scenario General Interview Interview Scoring Check out the full article on the MedCourse Blog. We also have plenty of information on ACCS in our ultimate guide. Need an extra push…

In this article, we discuss the MRCP Part 1 Exam, including: Everything you need to know about the MRCP Part 1 Exam Question format Trigger words Exam technique and advice How to apply Exam dates Pass mark Results date Check out the full article on MRCP here. Finished your part 1? Check out our guide to PACES23. Think you might need an extra boost …

In this article by Dr. Victoria Kinkaid, we talk through the top 10 tips to transform you into a nightshift ninja. See the full article on our blog page for junior doctors. Dr Kinkaid also has her own podcast on female empowerment - Virago Voices - check it out! For more career tips, speciality advice, and content for junior doctors, check out our …

In this edition of the MedCourse AudioBlog, we talk ECG resources, including: The best 7 free online ECG courses Top online ECG quizzes Other ECG-related websites to help you learn Check out the full article on our blog. Not sure whether you really need an ECG course? Check out our guide to ECG training courses. Prefer to pay for high-quality in-pe…

In this episode of the MedCourse AudioBlog, we discuss ECG courses: - Who needs an ECG course? - Why should you go on an ECG course? - How to choose between online and in-person courses and much more. See our article on ECG courses on the MedCourse Blog. You can also catch the best free online ECG courses to attend. Sold on the idea? We have a rang…

In this guide to Core Surgical Training (CST) recruitment and application, we will talk through eligibility criteria, self assessment, shortlisting, the MSRA, the interview, and how CST jobs are allocated. To learn more about CST self-assessment, read our 2023 guide. You can find more information about other specialities including IMT, CST, and ACC…

In this guide to Core Surgical Training (CST) Interview Portfolio Self-Assessment Scoring, we will cover everything you need to know about the scoring system, as well as providing helpful hints and tips as we go to make sure you maximise your score for 2023. Please also see our in-depth article at in our CST Interview Scoring Article.…

In this audioblog, founder of MedCourse Dr James Davidson discusses why mistakes are an essential part of becoming a fantastic junior doctor, and shares some of the mistakes he made along the way. While this article was aimed at FY1 doctors entering medicine for the first time on black Wednesday, it also acts as a reminder to all junior doctors to …

In this episode of our AudioBlog we will cover the 34 best FREE resources for Junior Doctors working in the United Kingdom in 2022. Black Wednesday is coming up in the NHS, meaning that it's time for new FY1 doctors to step up to the plate, and for all our UK trainees to play musical chairs. To get the best out of your new placements, check out the…

Have you ever sat in a medical handover, exhausted following 12 hours of extinguishing fires across the hospital, and listened to the conversation between medical trainees thinking “I have no idea what is happening”? You’re not alone. Internal Medicine Training (IMT) is the 3-year UK programme that aims to turn you from that dumbstruck foundation t…

Adrenaline junkies rejoice! Take off your bike helmet, put down your coffee mug, and have a gander at the training options that Acute Care Common Stem (ACCS) brings to those who like their medicine with a little bit of thrill. If you like a bit of variety in your work, ACCS brings you rotations across Emergency Medicine, Acute Medicine, Anaesthetic…

If you’ve checked out our Ultimate Guide to IMT and decided that Internal Medicine Training (IMT) is the programme for you, it’s time to prepare for your application. But how does recruitment for IMT work exactly? In this guide to the IMT recruitment process, 2023 will go through recruitment eligibility, timeline, how programme preferences work, an…

So, you want to apply for Internal Medicine Training (IMT). You know it’s right for you, you’ve checked the person specification, and you’re ready to apply. So how do you apply for Internal Medicine Training (IMT) in 2023? In this podcast, we will discuss how to apply for IMT and how to maximise your IMT application score. If you're not sure how it…

Dr Besu Asfaw, a doctor who has worked for MSF in resource-stricken areas, tells us about his experience travelling at the onset of the pandemic and working in the NHS during the crisis. It's our pleasure to publish this wonderful short story. Check out more medical experiences here. If you have a story to share, please contribute to MedCourse.…

So, you’ve decided to apply for IMT, nailed your application, and have been shortlisted for an Internal Medicine Training (IMT) interview. What next? In this guide, we’ll run you through the IMT interview process, including sections of the interview and how to maximise your interview score. If you haven’t already, check out our ultimate guide to IM…

Quality Improvement Projects (QIPs) are a huge part of medical training in the UK. If done right, junior doctors and other clinicians can quickly and effectively run a quality improvement project that boosts their CV and enhances their career. Learn how to get the most out of your quality improvement project. Learn more from the MedCourse Blog.…