Components of Training

Core Training
The minimum core training requirement consists of two years of full-time (or pro rata part-time) supervised clinical training in an advanced standing capacity in an intensive care unit.

At least one continuous year of training must be undertaken in an adult 'general' intensive care unit. Continuous periods of core training will usually be of a minimum duration of six months.

A maximum of six months may be undertaken in a paediatric intensive care unit or a maximum of 12 months in an adult intensive care unit which largely specialises in a single area of intensive care medicine such as post-cardiovascular surgery.

Core training may be undertaken in overseas posts depending on the nature of the post (see below). It is the responsibility of the trainee to ascertain relevant details and obtain approval from the CAT prior to the commencement of training. It is strongly recommended that at least part of core training be undertaken in an Australasian intensive care unit.

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Procedural Skills
These are detailed in the General Principles section. The completion of a logbook documenting the extent of the training experience in procedures undertaken and the number and casemix of patients managed is desirable in ensuring that the trainee's experience has been appropriately broad and complete. The supervisor will review logbook(s) when preparing the supervisor's report.

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Elective Training
Twelve months elective training may be undertaken in any related medical discipline or in full-time research. Training in anaesthesia undertaken during elective training may be accredited towards FIC, ANZCA if undertaken in a hospital with Faculty-approved training posts. For candidates undertaking post-Fellowship training in intensive care medicine, previously completed and accredited training will usually satisfy the elective training component of advanced training in intensive care medicine.

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Project or Case Report
Trainees are required to submit a satisfactory project during the period of advanced training. Completion of training can not be certified nor Fellowship recommended until a satisfactory report has been received and appropriately reviewed.

The report must be based on a research project in which the trainee has participated to a significant degree. The report must be prepared by the trainee as if for publication in a scientific journal. Although publication is not mandatory, it is encouraged, and manuscripts submitted for publication may also be submitted as the project report. The project must be substantial; individual case reports are not acceptable. Presentation of the report at a scientific meeting is encouraged.

The project report is to be evaluated by the trainee's supervisor and the evaluation (including an assurance that the trainee has been a major contributor to the project and the principal author of the report) is to accompany the report when submitted. Final evaluation will be undertaken by the JSAC.
Project reports should be sent to the College in three copies before 15 September of the year of training.

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Other Specific Requirements
RACP trainees may combine advanced training towards Fellowship with training toward Fellowship of FIC, ANZCA. Fellowship of FIC, ANZCA requires a separate application to the Faculty, two years core training in Faculty-approved posts, twelve months training in anaesthesia in Faculty-approved posts and successful candidacy of the FIC, ANZCA exit examination. Dual fellowship is not compulsory.

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Research
See Project Report section of the guidelines. Experience in clinical and/or laboratory research is an essential component of the training as intensive care consultant physicians.

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Training Posts
The suitability for training of a clinical post will depend upon the facilities available in the unit; the staffing of the unit; the level of functioning of the trainee within the clinical structure; the level of supervision of the trainee; and the number and casemix of patients treated within the intensive care unit. It is desirable that experience in more than one intensive care unit be obtained during the period of core training. Not all Australasian intensive care units are suitable for the entirety of core training although it is likely that most would be suitable for six or twelve months of core training. It is anticipated that there will be significant concurrence between FIC, ANZCA and the RACP with regard to the suitability of training sites or approved training although this is not assured. Trainees are recommended to determine the suitability of training sites before undertaking employment, especially if this involves a smaller highly specialised intensive care unit.

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