MMC (Mild Melting Confusion?)

[TheFifthBeatle]

Hello one and all!

During my interview preparation i've stumbled across a little thing called MMC...some of you may have heard of it. I've done a bit of reading and the whole system seems to be changing an awful lot and throwing up a whole load of acronymous! Here's what i've came up with so far;

MMC started in 2004 to try and reduce the bottleneck at SHO level, provide more structure in the first few post grad years, change these years into a competency based system and prepare for the EWTD.

It had a pretty rocky few years which was mainly down to MTAS.

MTAS required applicants to apply centrally, with a much criticised application process, and left quite a few junior doctors out of work.

MTAS was scrapped in 2007.

All StR posts are now applied for locally.

In Scotland, MMC is now SMT.

The program goes as follows;
FY1>FY2>StR(6 years hospital, 3 years GP)>CCT


Ok, questions;

I've read about CMT...where does this fit in?

What happens if you don't secure a StR post after FY2?

Can you choose to do a few more rotations if you are unsure what speciality to pick (like SHO level)?

Are all specialities 6 years after FY2?

Your thoughts on the pro's and con's of MMC/SMT?


Also, I stand ready to be corrected on any of the above. Various websites seem to completely contradict each other and i'm not really sure what the score is on some parts of it.

Many thanks...

[Jay]

I'm no expert, but from my understanding...

I didn't know that MTAS was scrapped. Modified I thought but still with us??

CMT or Core Medical Training comprises a general ST1 and ST2 training for all those aiming for a career in medical specialities. ST3 would be in your chosen sub specialty, ie Cardiology or GI and is by further competitive entry.

If you don't secure a ST post after FY2 you have some options - Satff Grade posts, Locum appointment for training (or service) or Fixed Term training contract which is for a year, then reapply (FTSTA). Or you could move to Oz.

Rotations out of programme = no, unless you do LAT/LAS or fixed term appointment for training.

Specialities differ in training length. I think Psych is 8 years, as is O&G. radiology is 5 years (+/- a fellowship year for intervention/neuro radiology etc. but that reflects the different type of training in radiology with more concentration on teaching and learning and less on service provision compared to some specs.

MTAS seemed like a good idea as it removed the old boys network and centralised and streamlined training. However there were/are problems with simplistic applications, consultants don't get to pick their own juniors and training is cut in length. (Which may be a pro or a con depending on your age.)

Thats my take but again, I'm open to correction.

[TheFifthBeatle]

Interview passed without mention of postgraduate training (despite my best efforts to edge out a few questions on it!) but thanks for the reply. Certainly helped my understanding.

Originally Posted by Jay

I didn't know that MTAS was scrapped. Modified I thought but still with us??

Yea, think you're right. It's still an online application but it's up to each deanery to sort a system out

Originally Posted by Jay

MTAS seemed like a good idea as it removed the old boys network and centralised and streamlined training. However there were/are problems with simplistic applications, consultants don't get to pick their own juniors and training is cut in length. (Which may be a pro or a con depending on your age.)

Yea it has its pros and cons. It does seam like the "fairer" way to do it if they could manage to get an application process together to suit everyone. Seems like they made a bit of a hash of it first time round.

[Faye]

Hey guys, thought I'd post here, though not sure how much I can add!

I'm also no expert on the matter, but yes MTAS is very much still in force. This year's applications involved a number of questions which you got scored on, plus a number of points depending on which quartile you'd come in your year, any extra degrees, publications etc. The more points you get, the more likely you are to get the deanery you choose for foundation training.

I don't know the specifics on speciality training in general, as I've really only looked at what I want to do. For me, entry into a psychiatry ST program would be via interview, then three years (ST1-3) doing core clinical training (in psych), and then I'd reapply for ST4-6 and sub-specialise within the speciality. All specialities are different, so when you eventually decide what you want to do, you'll just be concerned with one particular program. There's a lot I still have to figure out too! Ha, anyway - this is probably all irrelevant...by the time you get to the end of uni, I can pretty much guarantee that it'll all be changed again!

Hope this was of some use - if you have any other questions, feel free to ask, and I shall answer what I can. I'm a fourth year in Dundee, so what I don't know, I can find out for you!

Faye

[correctomondo]

Hi Faye,
if you're interested in psychiatry you should check out the RCPsych website and become a student member. I don't know that much about training in Scotland but Aberdeen has one of the biggest psychiatric hospitals in the UK (Cornhill).

Is MTAS the same as the foundation programme? before we found out our schools this year we had to do a questionnaire and it mentioned scrapping the 2wks to answer the questions and making everyone write their answers under exam conditions or something. i've heard this elsewhere as well. can't really remember as i was too excited/nervous about finding out my result.

[Jay]

I think MTAS is just the application system. No doubt after the questionnaire they will select the most unpopular and unworkable model available.

Answering the questions under exam conditions sounds just like the sort of think they would do. Who else would apply for a job that way? I doubt there is no end to their fiendish plans...