"When I first heard about the ICET pilot in 2022, my immediate thought was, 'Why wasn't this available 15 years ago? It's exactly the kind of opportunity I would have loved!' The next best thing, of course, was to get involved as a supervisor of Dr Clare Kennedy and offer feedback on the planned pilot. Clare had been appointed as UCD tutor in Obstetrics and Gynaecology at the National Maternity Hospital (NMH), and although the ICET was initially designed for Medicine, with a little advocacy, we were able to join in as well.
Dr Clare Kennedy (O&G SpR) and Dr Karen Dennehy (Geriatric Medicine SpR), as the first graduates of the ICET programme, received excellent support from a team of educators and clinicians throughout the ICET pilot. I knew they were gaining a solid foundation in medical education theory and practice, which would be invaluable for their future careers. I often found myself learning new things at the monthly meetings and journal clubs, and it was inspiring to be part of a group of like-minded individuals. It also gave me a unique insight into the hard work and dedication of the non-clinical staff at RCPI.
At NMH, we're thrilled that Dr Roisin McConnell, who was also a UCD tutor in 2024-2025, will be completing the ICET programme alongside her fertility fellowship and MD research. She’ll be busy, but she’ll have strong support.
If you have the right person and the right post, I strongly encourage you to get involved. Medical education truly deserves to be professionalised, and this programme is a fantastic step forward in that direction."
Prof. Mary Higgins
ICET Supervisor