Thoracic Medicine
Thoracic Physicians are involved in the diagnosis and treatment of a wide range of respiratory and pleural diseases. Within the field of Thoracic Medicine, there is the ability to specialize in fields such as lung cancer, cystic fibrosis, suppurative and infective pulmonary disease, interventional bronchoscopy, pulmonary physiology, respiratory failure, lung transplantation, pulmonary hypertension and pleural disease.
Advantages of starting a career at TPCH
- Large Thoracic Medicine Program with multiple subspecialty units
- Access to a range of expertise within Thoracic Medicine but also in other supporting disciplines eg Thoracic Surgery, Cardiology, Infectious Diseases, Intensive Care
- Well established Training Program with a number of trainees, thereby improving the training environment
- Access to interventional bronchoscopic training
- Considerable effort and emphasis on training in pulmonary physiology
- Large inpatient and outpatient population, in addition to being a tertiary referral centre for Queensland and Northern NSW for complex and rare conditions, allows for increased exposure to a wide range of clinical material.
Training Overview
Entry requirements to Training Program
Upon completion of RACP Basic Training Programme requirements, Registrars may apply for selection to the Thoracic Medicine training programme. This is a Statewide programme with short-listing of written applications followed by interviews by a selection panel. Applications are advertised in June/July each year.
Overview of Training Program
Minimum of 3 years – 2 “core” years and 1 “non-core” year
Core training rotations
A minimum of 24 months full-time equivalent (FTE) must be spent in accredited training positions under the supervision of a Fellow of the College.
In respiratory medicine, up to six months of core intensive care training may be considered towards the 24 months of core training.
Non-core training rotations
The STC/SAC may approve a maximum of 12 months of non-core training which may be spent in related clinical medicine, respiratory research or laboratory work.
The STC/SAC would recommend that the following areas are suitable for complementary training: sleep medicine; respiratory or sleep research; clinical respiratory or sleep physiology; overseas training in respiratory medicine; intensive care medicine.
Training in research will be strongly encouraged during the period of non-core training; ongoing contact with a respiratory supervisor is required.
A number of other subspecialty areas of medicine are likely to be considered suitable for a non-core period in respiratory medicine, provided trainees can demonstrate an appropriate case mix that is relevant to respiratory medicine and appropriate clinical rotations. These areas include: infectious diseases; intensive care; clinical allergy/immunology; cardiology; indigenous health and rural medicine; oncology and palliative medicine; and clinical pharmacology.
Other subspecialty areas of medicine are less likely to be acceptable for non-core training in respiratory medicine, and these rotations will only be approved if a suitable link to respiratory medicine training can be demonstrated, and a suitable clinical case mix and supervisor are available. When considering programs for non-core training, trainees are advised to contact the STC/SAC regarding their proposed non-core program and seek advice prior to accepting any clinical position.
Ideally, non-core training should be prospectively approved by the STC/SAC before commencing the year of training. Retrospective approval of non-core training will not normally be granted.
NB: Certification of non-core training will be deferred until the completion of 12 months core training.
For trainees completing a dual training program with Advanced Training in General and Acute Care Medicine, non-core training will not be certified until the four year program has been completed i.e. 24 months of core respiratory medicine and 24 months of core general and acute care medicine
What rotations are recommended prior to applying for training
- No specific rotations recommended.
How to improve your chances of selection
Trainees wishing to enter the Thoracic Medicine Training Program who have demonstrated research and educational commitment to the field will be viewed favourably at shortlisting. Educational events include on-campus events, including teaching and education sessions in pulmonary physiology, radiology, Respiratory Grand Rounds, plus interhospital dinner educational meetings.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Wide variety of acute and subacute problems
- Ability to interface with colleagues across a number of disciplines eg surgery, oncology, cardiology, physiotherapy
- Opportunities for procedural work eg pleural disease, bronchoscopy
- Opportunities for education and research
- Thorough clinical assessment
- Patience
- Ability to work well in a multidisciplinary team
This varies depending on the focus of the individual’s practice. It might include ward rounds, clinics, bronchoscopy lists, research time, teaching sessions, attending multidisciplinary team meetings.
If you enjoy Thoracic Medicine, train in it!
This has been successfully done by many trainees and is best done in a planned fashion if possible, to try and minimize disruption to others on the Training Program.
Like many medical fields, Thoracic Medicine has its share of on-call responsibilities, and times of the year eg winter, when the job requires additional hours.
It is rare to find someone in the general public who knows what a Thoracic Physician does!
Contact us
Medical Education Unit
Email: TPCH-Medical-Education@health.qld.gov.au
Phone: (07) 3139 4221
More information
Dr Peter Hopkins
Phone: 3139-4111