Training

Endocrinology and diabetes is a broad ranging specialty encompassing basic mechanisms of physiology and pharmacology coupled with the ability to improve quality of life and long-term outcomes through effective disease control, and often cure. Endocrine and metabolic diseases are some of the most commonly encountered in the UK population and are increasing in prevalence and impact, emphasising the need to continue to improve health care delivery in the specialty. Endocrine diseases and diabetes affect every physiological system of the body and specialists need a wide range of skills and expertise and make a major contribution to general medicine in its broadest sense.

Historically, endocrinology and diabetes have been at the forefront of both basic science and clinical research. Trainees and specialists have the opportunity to contribute further to that growing evidence base which has led to many innovations in recent years. There are many common conditions that the specialty helps to manage, working closely with many different multiprofessional colleagues. Many of the diseases encountered are uncommon ones presenting special diagnostic and therapeutic challenges. A broad training in endocrinology and diabetes provides the basis for progression to specialist posts in a wide range of settings, from the smaller hospital to the large tertiary referral centre, from the community base to the University academic department. 

Entry into Endocrinology and Diabetes Mellitus training is possible following successful completion of both a foundation programme and a core training programme. There are two core training programmes for Endocrinology and Diabetes Mellitus training:

• Internal Medical Training (IMT)
• Acute Care Common Stem - Internal Medicine (ACCS-IM)

A new curriculum for dual training in Endocrinology and Internal Medicine will be implemented in August 2022. Trainees already in training in 2022 will need to transfer to the new curriculum unless in their final year of training. Please see our transition page for further information.

The curriculum for each specialty defines the process of training and the competencies needed for the award of a certificate of completion of training (CCT). The curriculum includes the assessment system for measuring trainees’ progress comprising workplace based assessment and knowledge based assessment. Information on the Specialty Certificate Examination (SCE) in Endocrinology and Diabetes Mellitus can be found on the MRCP(UK) website.

A new curriculum has been approved by the GMC and was implemented in August 2022.

Endocrinology and Diabetes Mellitus Curriculum 2022

The previous curriculum for Endocrinology and Diabetes Mellitus is available below. Earlier versions of the curriculum are no longer available online but copies can be requested from curriculum@jrcptb.org.uk.

The ARCP decision aid for each specialty defines the targets that have to be achieved for a satisfactory ARCP outcome at the end of each training year. The ARCP decision aid for the new 2022 curriculum is given below.

Endocrinology and Diabetes Mellitus 2022 ARCP Decision Aid (updated)

The decison aid below should be used for trainees remaining on the previous curriculum.. 

Endocrinology & Diabetes Mellitus 2022 Rough Guide

2017 changes to the curriculum

Please refer to the implementation guidance below for information on the changes to the curriculum