Time-based requirements
Training rotations
The Advanced Training Program in Respiratory Medicine and Sleep Medicine allows adequate time for you to gain the necessary learning experiences across a range of relevant rotations during your 3-year total training period (36 months FTE).
Specialty |
Core training |
Non-core training |
Respiratory Medicine |
24 months minimum in core respiratory medicine |
12 months minimum |
Sleep Medicine |
24 months minimum in core sleep medicine |
12 months minimum |
Dual training in Respiratory Medicine and Sleep Medicine |
24 months core respiratory medicine |
N/A
|
12 months core sleep medicine |
Core training
All of your core training must be spent in accredited clinical training positions.
The Specialty Training Committee (STC) or Specialist Advisory Committee (SAC) in Respiratory Medicine and Sleep Medicine will not consider overseas-based core training for certification as the quality of the training cannot be guaranteed.
Non-core training
Non-core training can be undertaken in related clinical medicine, respiratory research or laboratory work.
The following areas are recommended for complementary training are:
- sleep medicine
- respiratory or sleep research
- clinical respiratory or sleep physiology
- overseas training in respiratory medicine
- intensive care medicine
Training in research is strongly encouraged during your non-core training period, with ongoing contact with a respiratory supervisor required.
Selecting other specialty areas will require you demonstrating an appropriate case mix that is relevant to respiratory medicine and appropriate clinical rotations. Areas considered suitable for a non-core training period in respiratory medicine are:
- general and acute care medicine
- infectious diseases
- intensive care
- clinical allergy/immunology
- cardiology
- indigenous health and rural medicine
- oncology and palliative medicine
- clinical pharmacology
When considering programs for non-core training, you’re advised to contact the STC/SAC regarding your proposed non-core program and seek advice prior to accepting any clinical position.
Generally, non-core training should be prospectively approved by the Committee before you commence the year of training. Retrospective approval of non-core training is rarely granted.
Developmental and Psychosocial Training doesn’t count towards your non-core training.
Certification of any non-core training will be deferred until you’ve completed 12 months core training.
Dual training
Respiratory Medicine and General and Acute Care Medicine
Trainees are able to complete dual training in Respiratory Medicine and General and Acute Care Medicine over a 4-year program: 2 years of core respiratory medicine training and 2 years of general and acute care medicine training.
In order to meet training requirements, 2 years of general and acute care medicine training is generally suitable for approval by the STC as 6 months of non-core training per year. This allows the 2 years of general and acute care medicine training to be approved as 12 months of non-core respiratory medicine training.
For trainees completing a dual training program with Advanced Training in General and Acute Care Medicine, non-core training will not be certified until the 4-year program has been completed, resulting in 24 months of core respiratory medicine and 24 months of core general and acute care medicine.
Training time
Your 24 months minimum of core training in respiratory or sleep medicine must be undertaken in Australia and/or Aotearoa New Zealand to ensure that you receive adequate exposure to local practices and health services.