Anaesthetic curriculum review

Today the College Chair of the Anaesthetic Curriculum Review Group, Dr Nigel Penfold, updated delegates in attendance at the College Tutors meeting in Chester, about the latest developments in the review of the Anaesthetic Curriculum.

The anaesthetic curriculum is being revised following the 2017 publication of the General Medical Council document Excellence by design: standards for postgraduate curricula, which requires the curricula for all medical specialties to be revised by 2020. The existing anaesthetic curriculum was launched in 2010 following approximately a two-year development process. Various changes and additions have been made to it since then, but a full, wholesale review of its clinical content has not been undertaken since it was first written.

During the meeting, Dr Penfold outlined the steps that the College has taken to date to ensure that the anaesthetic curriculum complies with the new GMC standards. Internal and external stakeholders including the College Training Committee, Regional Advisors and College Tutors as well as anaesthetists in training, have and continue to be consulted as to the content and scope of the reworked curriculum.

Professor Ravi Mahajan, President of the Royal College of Anaesthetists who is in attendance at the two day conference said: “Revising the curriculum is a complex project but essential in order to ensure that it equips doctors with the skills needed to participate in and provide continuity of care. We are committed to ensuring that all relevant stakeholders have an opportunity to contribute to this programme of learning that meets the needs of our specialty, supports the pursuit of excellence and allows our members to flourish.”

Further information and regular updates about the curriculum review can be found here.