Clinical Fellowships in Nephrology, Cardiology, Gastroenterology & Infectious Diseases

The Department of Medicine offers four Clinical Fellowships, encompassing Nephrology, Cardiology, Gastroenterology, and Infectious Diseases. Kindly examine the details outlined below concerning each program's specifics.

i. Cardiology

Minimum 2 years              July and January

Throughout the training period, the trainee will acquire the essential knowledge, skills, and attitudes necessary for proficiency in Cardiovascular Medicine. A certificate of competency will be granted upon the successful completion of two (2) years of post-registration experience as a specialist in Internal Medicine. While the precise structure of the training may differ, it generally includes a three-month clinical placement across various domains of cardiovascular medicine, which encompasses the management of patients in immediate interventional settings, outpatient clinical cardiology, and exposure to radiology, pathology, and pediatric cardiology. Additionally, a research project in cardiology is required, which must be finalized and approved at least three (3) months before the conclusion of the program.

Requirements for Entry

Applicants for specialist training in cardiovascular medicine should have acquired the DM in Internal Medicine or an equivalent certified training approved by the Specialty Board of the Department of Medicine at the University of the West Indies. A period of experience in cardiology at core training level is considered desirable, although not essential.

Training in Cardiovascular Medicine

The duration of training will be a minimum of two (2) years. The exact training structure may vary but typically will consist of 3-monthly clinical placements in different areas of Cardiovascular Medicine including management of patients following interventional cardiology, out-patient clinical cardiology and exposure to radiology, pathology, cardiothoracic surgery and paediatric cardiology. It would be desirable for the trainee to spend 3-6 months in an overseas centre approved by the Specialty Board, gaining experience in the areas which may not be available locally or regionally.

 Course Supervision

The course will be under the general supervision of a consultant in cardiology. Each student will be assigned to an academic advisor, who is a member of the academic department. The advisor will provide academic guidance as to the choice or assignment of rotations, the elective period and direction in the conduct of research and all other relevant matters.

Assessment

• The domains of Good Medical Practice will be assessed using an integrated package of workplacebased assessments and examination of knowledge and clinical skills, which will sample across the domains of the curriculum (e.g. knowledge, skills and attitudes). The assessments will be supported by structured feedback for trainees within the training programme of Cardiovascular Medicine. Assessment tools will be both formative and summative and will be selected on the basis of their fitness for purpose.
• The integrated assessment system includes a range of workplace-based assessment methods that assesses across the domains of the curriculum. The workplace-based assessment tools will include mini-Clinical Examination Exercise (mini-CEX), Direct Observation of Procedural Skills (DOPS) and multi-source feedback (MSF). The number and range of these will ensure a reliable assessment of the training relevant to their state of training and achieve coverage of the curriculum.

ii. Gastroenterology

Minimum 2 years              July and January

The curriculum is designed to train a specialist in general gastroenterology. It is the intention to develop over time sub-specialization in advanced endoscopy to include such techniques as ERCP and endoscopic ultrasound. The date of entry will normally be January or July, depending on when the candidate begins to work in a recognised post in an accredited hospital. Application to enter the programme may be made before securing such a post.

Requirements for Entry

Applicants for specialist training in gastroenterology should have acquired the DM in Internal Medicine or an equivalent certified training approved by the Specialty Board of the Department of Medicine at the University of the West Indies. A period of experience in Gastroenterology at core training level is considered desirable, although not essential.

Membership of a professional college does not necessarily qualify for admission into the fellowship program.

Course of Study

The duration of training is a minimum of 2 years. A minimum of 6 months must be spent in an international training centre approved by the specialty board. Most formal training will be “inservice” and thus trainees must have experience in both teaching hospitals (and units with major academic activities) and non-teaching rural clinics. Other supervising consultants of the University of the West Indies will also aid in the assessment.

Course Supervision

The course will be under the general supervision of a consultant in gastroenterology. Each student will be assigned to an academic advisor, who is a member of the academic department. The advisor will provide academic guidance as to the choice or assignment of rotations, the elective period and direction in the conduct of research and all other relevant matters. Overall, the Specialty Board in Medicine is in charge of the fellowship programme.

Assessment

The domains of Good Medical Practice will be assessed using an integrated package of workplacebased assessments and examination of knowledge and clinical skills, which will sample across the domains of the curriculum (e.g. knowledge, skills and attitudes). The assessments will be supported by structured feedback for trainees within the training programme of Gastroenterology. Assessment tools will be both formative and summative and will be selected on the basis of their fitness for purpose.

The integrated assessment system includes a range of workplace-based assessment methods that assesses across the domains of the curriculum. The workplace-based assessment tools will include:

i. Mini-Clinical Examination Exercise (mini-CEX),

ii. Direct Observation of Procedural Skills (DOPS)

iii. Multi-source feedback (MSF).

The number and range of these will ensure a reliable assessment of the training relevant to their state of training and achieve coverage of the curriculum.

Clinical research project

A Clinical Research Project is mandatory in gastroenterology and must be completed and approved at least three (3) months prior to the end of the programme.

Completion of Programme

The certificate of competency will be awarded after successful completion of:

i. Two (2) years post-registration as a specialist in internal medicine. The exact training structure may vary but typically consist of 3-monthly clinical placement in different areas of gastroenterology.

ii. A Clinical Research Project in gastroenterology which must be completed and approved at least three (3) months prior to the end of the programme.

iii. Infectious Disease

Minimum 2 years              July and January

The curriculum is designed to advance the higher-level training of a specialist in general Infectious Disease. The date of entry will normally be January or July, depending on when the candidate begins to work in a recognized post in an accredited hospital. The academic supervisor will be one of the consultant staff specialized in Infectious Disease in the Department of Medicine, who will have day-to-day contact with the trainee. A weekly programme will be planned, which will provide an appropriate balance between training and service commitments. Training commitments will include academic time for meetings, audit, self-directed learning, research, study leave and supervised service. The educational supervisor will also arrange for regular appraisal of the trainee initially and every three months when the educational objectives are discussed and recorded. At the end of the training period a structured report will be written. The Academic advisor will be a consultant staff in the Department of Medicine who will monitor the progress of the candidate and will be available for any advice for the candidate. The certificate of competency will be awarded after successful completion of two (2) years of satisfactory training in Infectious Disease and passing the final examination and completion of the research project.

Entry Requirements

• Applicants for specialist training in Infectious Disease should have acquired the DM in Internal Medicine or equivalent certified training approved by the Specialty Board of the Department of Medicine at the University of the West Indies. A period of experience in Infectious Disease at core training level is considered desirable, although not essential.
• Applicants for training must be approved by the Selection Committee of the Specialty Board with responsibilities for Fellowships in the subspecialties of Internal Medicine and/or Child & Adolescent Health.

Assessment

• The domains of Good Medical Practice will be assessed using an integrated package of workplacebased assessments and examination of knowledge and clinical skills, which will sample across the domains of the curriculum (e.g. knowledge, skills and attitudes). The assessments will be supported by structured feedback for trainees within the training program of Infectious Disease. Assessment tools will be both formative and summative and will be selected on the basis of their fitness for purpose.
• The integrated assessment system includes a range of workplace-based assessment methods that assesses across the domains of the curriculum. The workplace-based assessment tools will include mini-Clinical Examination Exercise (mini-CEX), Direct Observation of Procedural Skills (DOPS) and multi-source feedback (MSF). The number and range of these will ensure a reliable assessment of the training relevant to their state of training and achieve coverage of the curriculum.

iv. Nephrology

Minimum 2 years              July and January

Students will be considered as having successfully completed the programme and recommended for an award of the Certificate of Competency when the following requirements have been met a satisfactory performance in all assessments and an acceptable Clinical Research Project

Requirements for Entry

Persons who are holders of the Doctor of Medicine (DM) degree in Internal Medicine from the University of the West Indies and other recognised universities are eligible for entry. Each student must be registered with the Medical Council of Jamaica, and have a post in an accredited institution.

Course of Study

This is a two-year programme which consists of clinical rotations in different areas of renal medicine including the management of patients in the immediate post-transplant period, interventional nephrology, out-patient clinical nephrology and exposure to radiology, pathology, urology and paediatric nephrology. A 3-6 month rotation in an overseas institution would be desirable. A Clinical Research Project is mandatory and must be completed and approved at least three months prior to the end of the programme. The research should be of publishable quality.

Course Supervision

• All training in nephrology will be conducted in institutions with appropriate standards of clinical governance and that meet the relevant health and safety standards.
• Students must work with a level of clinical supervision commensurate with their clinical experience and level of competence. This is the responsibility of the relevant clinical supervisor after discussion with the trainee’s Academic Supervisor and the designated programme coordinator.
• The Academic Supervisor must be part of the clinical specialty team, and report to the Clinical Director on matters of concern relating to the trainee’s performance and doctor or patient safety.
• The Academic Supervisor is integral to the appraisal process. This will include feedback on performance, review of outcomes of assessments, induction to posts and career advice.

Assessment

• An integrated package of workplace-based assessment and examination of knowledge and clinical skills will be used. It will encompass all areas of the programme and will be supported by structured feedback for students, with a formative and summative approach.
• The integrated assessment system includes a range of workplace-based assessment methods that assesses across the domains of the curriculum. The workplace-based assessment tools will include:

a) Mini-Clinical Examination Exercise (mini-CEX),

b) Direct Observation of Procedural Skills (DOPS)

c) Multi-source feedback (MSF). The number and range of these will ensure a reliable assessment of the training relevant to their state of training and achieve coverage of the curriculum..