This page is intended to give, undergraduates and members of the public some general information on the path to becoming a Physician in Ireland.
What is a Physician?
A Physician is a Specialist Doctor e.g. a Paediatrician or Rheumatologist, who is concerned with maintaining or restoring human health through the study, diagnosis and treatment of disease and injury. Physicians oversee patient care in hospitals, clinics, private practices and other care settings. For a doctor to become a Specialist they must complete many years of medical training in both broad based study programmes and also many years in dedicated specialist programmes in their area of study.
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Becoming a Physician
Applicants who are interested in becoming a Medical Specialist must complete many steps in their training in order to fulfil the training requirements. The first of these is a 4 - 6 year undergraduate Degree programme including a one year internship. These programmes are administered by many third level colleges throughout the country (see a list here) and will provide doctors with their primary medical qualification. Continuing on the path, doctors will then be required to complete 2 years of General Professional Training (GPT) through the RCPI. Once this has been completed doctors will then be eligible to apply for Higher Medical Training (HMT). HMT programmes run between 4 and 6 years in duration and are the first opportunity for doctors to specialise in a specific area. Upon completion of HMT doctors are eligible to register with the Medical Council of Ireland as a Medical Specialist and are eligible to apply for Consultant posts.
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How do Physicians differ from Surgeons and General Practitioners?
Physicians, Surgeons and G.P.s are all doctors, however they work in different ways to deliver patient care. A G.P. is generally a patient's first line of contact when suffering from an illness. If the situation is serious a G.P. may refer the patient to a Physician for specialist treatment and care. If the patient requires surgical intervention they are then referred to the care of a Surgeon who may decide the patient requires surgery depending on the situation.
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What we do?
The Royal College of Physicians of Ireland is one the bodies recognised by the Medical Council of Ireland with a responsibility for postgraduate medical education in Ireland. The College administers medical training programmes for doctors who have completed their undergraduate studies, divided between 2 stages – General Professional Training and Higher Medical Training. The College also facilitates postgraduate continuing medical education to doctors at all stages of their careers.
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General Professional Training
Doctors who have completed their undergraduate training and gained registration with the Medical Council of Ireland are eligible to enter into General Professional Training (GPT). GPT provides doctors with the opportunity to explore a wide array of specialties within a flexible framework, further developing their clinical and professional skills. Click here for more.
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Higher Medical Training
Following successful completion of GPT, many doctors wish to train as a specialist, and to do so must complete Higher Medical Training (HMT). The Medical Training Department, oversees training in twenty-five specialties. The aim of HMT is to produce doctors who are clinically excellent and leaders in their fields, capable of handling the challenges that are faced by those in our health service every day. Upon completion of HMT doctors are eligible to register with the Medical Council of Ireland as a Medical Specialist in their field. Click here for more.
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Education Courses
The RCPI has developed a programme of courses focusing on skills vital to the successful practitioner. The College administers programmes designed for both doctors in training and those established in their careers. Click here for more.
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Continuing Medical Education
For doctors who have completed their training, the RCPI provides a Continuing Medical Education (CME) service. This allows doctors to record their ongoing educational activities. Click here for more.
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Register of Medical Specialists
The Register of Medical Specialists (RMS) is a voluntary register held by the Medical Council of Ireland. Doctors who wish to have their name placed on the RMS must apply directly to the Medical Council. In applications where the Medical Council requires advice, the RCPI, as a recognised training body, may be called upon to provide assessment services. Click here for more.
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Frequently Asked Questions
For more information please see our frequently asked questions page here.
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