Broad Based Training (BBT)

It is widely known that not all trainees will have made a definitive career decision by the end of foundation training.  BBT allows trainees who are not certain about the specialty route they wish to take to experience a range of different specialties before making that important decision.  BBT is a GMC approved training programme.  On successfully completing BBT, trainees can enter one of the four BBT specialties without a further interview as their skills and training are recognised by all four colleges.

This programme is designed to equip trainees to be broad based practitioners with the skills to be able to work beyond traditional specialty boundaries to provide excellent, patient focused care for patients with complex, multifactorial healthcare needs.  It has been reported that trainees who have completed BBT are aware of holistic healthcare needs and demonstrate good leadership skills.

BBT programme will be offered in the five HSC Trusts. This will allow trainees to be based in the same Trust area for both hospital and GP practice, for the whole 2 year training period.  Trainees will be able to preference their training locality at the time of application.
Rotations (the following are indicative)

Broad Based Training (BBT) is a two-year, structured core training programme providing six-month placements in Internal Medical Training, General Practice, Paediatrics and Psychiatry.

The programme is designed to equip trainees to be broad based practitioners with the skills to be able to work beyond traditional specialty boundaries to provide excellent, patient focused care for patients with complex, multifactorial healthcare needs.

The format of the programme allows trainees to gain both time and confidence in these specialties before having to progress to a further career choice, whilst still gaining GMC training recognition.

When applying for BBT, trainees will have to be interviewed through the GP application process and a separate BBT interview.  If you wish to be considered for a General Practice training programme in its own right then you will need to also apply to the General Practice application process separately.  If you wish to apply for BBT alone then you will automatically be placed within a GP interview process.

The interview process for BBT will involve a full GP interview which includes a situational judgement test, and a separate BBT interview.  The BBT interview will consist of 3 stations lasting 10 minutes each. These will test Paediatric Clinical Thinking & Communication, Evidence & Suitability/Clinical Governance and Ethics & Professionalism.  The BBT selection Centre will also include a 10 minute Paediatric Prescribing Exercise.

Applications for BBT should be made via the Recruitment portal Oriel once the recruitment window opens: https://www.oriel.nhs.uk

BBT programme will be offered in the five HSC Trusts. This will allow trainees to be based in the same Trust area for both hospital and GP practice, for the whole 2-year training period.

Trainees will be able to preference their training locality at the time of application.

Assessment will take place via the Annual Review of Competency Progression (ARCP) process. This process will examine trainee progress against the Broad Based Training curriculum.

The BBT curriculum has been developed by the four component colleges of the programme and this has been approved by the GMC. It is made up of five main sections; a common core programme based on the Academy of Medical Royal Colleges core competences, and specialty specific elements from each of the colleges. The latter are based on the specialty curricula.

The curriculum can be accessed on

https://www.aomrc.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Broad_Based_Training_Curriculum_0521.pdf

All trainees will have to take the postgraduate examinations relevant to their future career as they progress in their training. Trainees entering Broad Based Training should bear this in mind as they progress through the programme.

However it must be noted that none of these examinations are a mandatory part of completion of the BBT programme.

Trainees who enter the Broad Based Training programme will have access to study leave days and funding towards events in the same way that other NIMDTA trainees do.

There are no mandatory training courses in the Broad Based Training Curriculum but trainees may choose to undertake highly recommended courses in one of the four BBT specialties during their training.

The study leave allowance is 30 days in 12 months as described in the NIMDTA Study Leave Guidance and for BBT this will be managed as a maximum of 15 days for any of the 6 month attachments.

During the six months General Practice attachment Study Leave days will be required for attendance at the General Practice Regional Teaching sessions.

You will be asked to consider your options for future training programmes from the Autumn of your second year of BBT.

If you choose one of the four specialities included in BBT you will be guaranteed a training place within Northern Ireland.

If you choose another speciality or another location you will need to re-apply via the normal national recruitment process.

Everyone who enters the programme will experience a placement in all four specialties and it is accepted that some trainees will decide to change their training pathway during the programme.

If you decide you wish to leave the programme without completing all placements you will have to apply for specialty training at ST1 level through the usual channels.