1st station questions Flashcards
Difficult situation you have been in?
Looking after POCU patient
On metaraminol
Deteriorating
conducted A-E assessment
Escalated
re-escelated
recognised the gravity of the situation
Unable to get my consultant to the bedside, I sought an alternative senior colleague to review the patient urgently.
Key learning points
1. I learned the critical importance of clear and assertive communication when escalating concerns -I find I can do this by using an SBAR format
2. In high-pressure situations, explicitly stating how worried you are and requesting an immediate senior review can expedite decision-making and potentially save lives.
3. This scenario also reinforced the value of acting decisively and escalating concerns persistently when a patient’s condition is deteriorating.
Since then, I’ve carried this lesson forward into my clinical practice, ensuring that I communicate effectively and prioritize patient safety above all else. This experience has made me more confident in managing acutely unwell patients and knowing when to seek additional support, skills that are essential for internal medicine training.
IMT curriculum
The Internal Medicine Training (IMT) curriculum is designed to prepare doctors for higher specialty training by equipping them with the skills and knowledge required to manage acutely unwell patients, diagnose complex conditions, and deliver holistic, patient-centered care. It replaces the Core Medical Training (CMT) program and serves as the foundation for entry into both Group 1 and Group 2 specialties.
Aims to provide trainees with experience of managing patients with both acute and chronic medical problems, in inpatient and outpatients settings,
The curriculum for IMT can be divided into Capabilities in Practice (CiPs), clinical knowledge, and procedures.
Generic capabilities in Practice – working withing the NHS, dealing with ethical and legal situations, communicating effectively, maintaining professional behaviour and professional judgement, delivers effective quality improvement, focused on patient safety, carrying out research, acting as a teacher
Clinical capabilities – acute take, managing co-morbid patients and cognitive impairment, managing patients in an OP setting, managing and MDT, delivering effective resuscitation, EoL care
The importance of reflective practice
Anything that has stopped you career in IMT
My journey has been shaped by the experiences and decisions I’ve made along the way. For instance, I initially considered a career in obstetrics and gynaecology, completing a job and even earning a master’s degree in that field. However, through reflection and additional exposure, I realized that my interests aligned more closely with internal medicine.
This exploration allowed me to develop skills and insights—such as research experience, diagnostic acumen, and teamwork—which have ultimately strengthened my commitment to internal medicine. Additionally, taking on a cardiology clinical fellow role has provided me with further clarity and experience, confirming that IMT is the ideal next step in my career.
Overall, while my career path has evolved, it has equipped me with the skills, experiences, and dedication needed to excel in internal medicine training and beyond
Why do you want to do IMT?
Throughout my foundation and clinical fellow roles, I have found immense satisfaction in working in fast-paced environments, where effective teamwork and clinical reasoning are essential for making a real difference to patients’ lives. IMT provides the perfect opportunity to refine these skills while building a strong foundation for higher specialty training.
I particularly enjoy the variety that IMT offers with a mix of chronic and acute condition across a wide Varity of specialities.
I also look forward to the opportunities to further my interests in research and teaching.
I am excited about the opportunities that IMT provides to grow as a well-rounded clinician and make a meaningful impact on patient care.
What have you done to prepare for IMT?
During foundation training I have always been proactive in developing my skills, when on the MET team I would take opportunities to lead the met call with senior supervision and I have actively tried to observe and learn new procedures.
To build on my experience during foundation training I wanted to further develop my skills and knowledge – I have done this during my Cardiology Clinical Fellow Role. This has given me more insight of what it is like to be working as a medical SHO, I have attended OP clinics as well as working on the ward. I have spoken with the current IMT trainees to gain insight into the training.
I am continuously trying to get involved in research, quality improvement projects. I identified my weakness in this area was statistical analysis and so I have done a 5 day practical statics for medical research course to try and develop my skills.
During my current role I have taken a very active role in medical education. I noticed that there was not a teaching programme for medical students on their cardiology placements – I worked with the undergraduate team to get an established teaching timetable, recruiting SHO’s registrars and consultants to deliver teaching sessions
I have always stayed active outside of work, I have a strong support system with friends and family and I feel this will help me to maintain my work life balance and prevent burnout.
What is your Proudest achievement ?
My proudest achievement is becoming the English champion in trampolining. This accomplishment was not only a result of years of dedication, discipline, and resilience, but it also laid the foundation for many of the skills that have shaped my professional journey.
Training at a competitive level required excellent time management skills to balance intense practice schedules with academic commitments during school.
It also taught me perseverance, the ability to handle pressure, and the importance of consistent effort—all of which have been instrumental in my career in medicine.
The skills I developed through trampolining—time management, discipline, and goal setting—have been key to my other achievements, such as leading a research project on DOACs and presenting it at an international conference. Balancing research, data analysis, and a tight deadline required the same level of focus and dedication that I applied in sports.
Similarly, these skills have supported my work in organizing teaching timetables for medical students, delivering engaging sessions, and receiving commendations for my contributions to medical education.
Becoming an English champion taught me that success comes from consistent effort, effective time management, and the ability to push through challenges. These same principles have driven my passion for internal medicine, where I continue to apply these qualities in clinical practice, teaching, and research.
In summary, my journey as an English champion provided me with the resilience, discipline, and time management skills that form the backbone of my professional successes, from research and teaching to delivering high-quality patient care.
What Skills do you need to improve on?
While I am confident in many of my skills, I recognize there are areas I am actively working to improve to become a well-rounded clinician.
In my role as a cardiology clinical fellow, I have had opportunities to lead teams and delegate tasks effectively. However, I sometimes take on too much responsibility myself, which can be challenging during busy shifts. I am working on improving my delegation skills to ensure tasks are distributed efficiently while still supporting the team.
I actively seek feedback from colleagues on my leadership style and practice assigning tasks more effectively during handovers and ward rounds.
Although I have experience in research and statistical analysis, I aim to deepen my understanding of advanced research methodologies and data interpretation. recently completed a ‘Practical Statistics for Medical Research’ course and plan to take on more research projects where I can develop these skills further.
What Makes you a good leader?
I believe I am a good leader because I prioritize collaboration, effective communication, and adaptability while always keeping patient care at the center of my decision-making.
I value the importance of teamwork and ensure that every member of the team feels heard and respected.
For example, when I led a research project on DOACs, I delegated tasks based on the strengths of team members, fostering a positive and productive working environment. This approach ensured we met our deadlines and achieved high-quality results.
I focus on clear and empathetic communication, whether explaining a plan during a ward round or resolving misunderstandings. In my role as a cardiology clinical fellow, I’ve led multidisciplinary team discussions to create cohesive management plans for complex patients, ensuring everyone was aligned and informed.
I remain calm and level-headed during high-pressure situations, which allows me to make clear decisions and provide direction. For instance, while managing a deteriorating patient on postoperative care, I prioritized tasks, escalated appropriately, and reassured the team, ensuring timely intervention.
I enjoy teaching and mentoring others, which I see as a vital part of leadership. I organized and delivered cardiology teaching sessions for medical students and created a structured timetable to ensure consistency. I also encouraged students to ask questions and actively participate, creating a supportive learning environment.
I continuously reflect on my leadership experiences to identify areas for growth. For example, I actively seek feedback from colleagues and seniors after leading ward rounds or managing challenging cases, using their insights to improve my approach.
How would you describe your communication skills?
I would describe my communication skills as clear, empathetic, and adaptable, which enables me to effectively interact with patients, families, and colleagues in various clinical settings.
I ensure my communication is clear and easy to understand – for example when handing over a patient – using the SBAR format.
I adjust my communication style to suit my audience, whether it’s simplifying medical terminology for patients or discussing technical details with colleagues.
I prioritize listening to patients and their families to understand their concerns and provide reassurance. For instance, when breaking bad news, I ensure that I use a compassionate approach, allowing time for questions and ensuring the patient feels supported. This approach helps to build trust and rapport.
