Respiratory medicine

This page contains information on the specialty of respiratory medicine, one of the 16 specialties participating in RCP-SRO-coordinated ST3 recruitment.

The specialty

Respiratory medicine is a varied, exciting and challenging specialty. 

 is concerned with the diagnosis, treatment and continuing care of adults of all ages with a wide range of respiratory and related conditions.

The respiratory specialist is at the forefront of the hospital acute services including intensive care, and at the same time cares for a large group of people with a variety of chronic disorders, including both in- and out-patients.

Respiratory medicine - trainee characteristics

Respiratory Medicine will particularly suit trainees who:

• are highly motivated and enthusiastic
• enjoy dealing with a large range of different diseases and with diagnostic and therapeutic challenges
• enjoy practical skills
• are able to work within a team and have good time-management and ability to prioritise
• enjoy both the excitement of acute medicine and the management of chronic conditions
• are able to communicate effectively, and are empathic, patient and sound clinical decision-makers.

Working/training in an ST3 respiratory medicine post

Respiratory medicine involves both acute and chronic care and also involves being able to deal with significant diagnostic and therapeutic uncertainty.

Broad scope and interaction

There are a huge number of different respiratory conditions - including, among others, pulmonary infection, airways disease, cancer, interstitial lung disease, autoimmune diseases, sleep related breathing disorders, pleural disease and a significant interaction with many other specialties within the hospital and primary care setting.

This also includes significant interaction with intensive care medicine (ICM) and, indeed, there is a requirement to undertake some formal ICM training as part of the curriculum.

Variety of practical procedures and training

There are a large number of practical procedures, including chest drain insertion, pleural ultrasound, bronchoscopy, interventional bronchoscopy and thoracoscopy.

The ability to work within a multidisciplinary team with cardiologists, rheumatologists, radiologists, pathologists, cardio-thoracic surgeons and oncologists is essential.

A good sound training in general internal medicine (GIM) is vital to success as most (but not all) consultant appointments are in respiratory medicine with some GIM.

In view of the significant number of practical procedures in respiratory medicine, good manual dexterity skills are an advantage.

Research opportunities

Respiratory medicine is a specialty that attracts a high level of opportunities for research; in fact, research during training is encouraged. Many trainees will obtain higher degrees such as MD or PhD.

Less-than-full-time training

It is possible to train and work in respiratory medicine on a less-than-full-time basis if required.

Competition for posts

Gaining a training post is usually competitive, so previous inpatient and outpatient clinic experience in the specialty, and some experience of related practical procedures, is desirable (but not essential) before application.

2013 ST3 recruitment

Recruitment to respiratory medicine will be organised according to the local recruitment model. More information on this can be found on the recruitment models page of this website.

Numbers of available vacancies will be published to the post numbers page as and when these are confirmed by deaneries/UoAs.

Details of deanery/UoA interview dates will be added to the interview dates page as we receive them.

Further information

• NHS medical careers
• JRCPTB specialty page
• RCP (London), My specialty
• 2010 curriculum
• 2013 person specification

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