Less Than Full Time Training In PHEM

Less Than Full Time Training in PHEM

IBTPHEM has a strong commitment to help all doctors in training reach their full potential and to support those with caring responsibilities or individual needs to undertake sub-specialty training on a LTFT basis.

LTFT training is available in all national PHEM training programmes. The rules for LTFT training match that of in hospital practice, and reflect the same balance of work as full-time colleagues including day-time working and out-of-hour duties being undertaken on a pro rata number of hours. They also include movement between placements within a training programme on the same basis as full-time trainees. LTFT trainees are encouraged to look at work patterns with a higher percentage of hours (eg 3 days a week work patterns) to support the acquisition and retention of new pre-hospital skills.

All applications for LTFT working must be applied for in the usual way through the local Deanery 16 weeks in advance of the commencement of training and agreed with the PHEM TPD and Postgraduate Dean. Therefore after successful notification of a post in PHEM subspecialty training, trainees are advised to contact the PHEM TPD to discuss the LTFT working pattern. This pattern must also be agreed by the base specialty TPD for the duration of the OOPT.

Whilst all local education providers support LTFT working, the working patterns that can be accommodated vary from region to region. If there is a specific working pattern that you would prefer then it is recommended that you approach the TPD in the areas where you would consider taking up a training post in advance to ensure that this can be accommodated.

Training should not be undertaken at less than 50% except in exceptional circumstances and where approved by the Postgraduate Dean.

Examples of the LTFT rotas that can be supported by each region can be found online in the information provided by each of the Deaneries. To Examples of the LTFT working patterns that can be supported by each region can be seen in the table below.

When making a decision to work less than full time please consider the impact that this may have on the assimilation of new knowledge and skills, the impact on your time in training and eligibility to sit certain diets of the national summative assessments.

The examination regulations state that to be eligible to sit DIMC the trainee must have completed 5 months WTE training in PHEM and for FIMC this is 11 months WTE training in PHEM.

Example 1

Scheme A on 80%

Total duration of training 30 months

5 months WTE = 12.5 months

11 months WTE = 27.5 months

For an August 2023 start this would equate an earliest DIMC sitting in Jan 2024 and FIMC sitting July 2025

Example 2

Scheme C at 70%

Total duration of training 17.14 months

5 months WTE = 7.14 months

11 months WTE = 15.71 months

For an February 2024 start this would equate to an earliest DIMC sitting in Jan 2025 and FIMC sitting July 2025