GUM is a forward looking and innovative specialty. It requires trainees to have compassionate and non-judgemental communication skills, dedication to working in a multi-disciplinary team and a strong foundation of knowledge.
The main domains of GUM involves the diagnosis and management of patients with sexually transmitted infections, HIV and contraceptive care. There are opportunities to work in more specialised services such as inpatient HIV management, young people’s clinics, genital dermatoses, sexual dysfunction, psychosexual medicine, outreach services and delivering sexual health and HIV care to prison populations. In addition, there are important public health functions in managing infectious disease.
The majority of work and training is undertaken in outpatient settings, as well as some inpatient care and satellite community settings.
Training in GUM
Genitourinary Medicine (GUM) is a Group 1 Medical specialty, which means trainees will obtain a dual accreditation Certificate of Completion of Training (CCT) after the completion of higher specialty training, i.e. in both GUM and General Internal Medicine (GIM).
Trainees must complete 3 years of General Internal Medicine Training stage 1 (IMT1-3) and then apply for and enter GUM/GIM Higher Specialty Training at ST4. The full time training for dual GUM/GIM accreditation is usually 4 years. The trainee is expected to complete 12 months full time equivalent in internal medicine across the 4 years (usually 3 months per year whole time equivalent in internal medicine).
Trainees are expected to complete the Diploma in GUM (DipGUM) and the Diploma in HIV (DipHIV) during training. There are ample opportunities to complete the Diploma for the Faculty of Sexual and Reproductive Health (DFSRH) and gain competency in fitting and removing implant and intrauterine devices.
Further educational and research opportunities
The post provides many exciting opportunities for trainees such as fellowships with national organisations, audit and quality improvement projects, research and undergraduate medical student teaching. Many educational and research opportunities are accessible via the British HIV Association (BHIVA), the British Association for Sexual Health and HIV (BASHH), the HIV Trainees Club (HIVTC) and the British Infection Society (BIS). Support will be provided for trainees who wish to undertake out of programme periods for research and other fellowship opportunities.
Training Programme Director
Dr Pocock Mamatha.Pocock@royalberkshire.nhs.uk