Less than Full-time Training

Who can do it - and how.

Dr R K Roden

Less than Full-time Training (LTFT)• What’s it all about?

• Who does it and why?

• Pros and Cons

• How can I find out more?

All Doctors can apply to train less than full-time but they must prove that they have ‘well founded individual reasons’ to do so before they can be considered for inclusion in a scheme.

Top Priority• Doctors with disabilities or suffering from

ill- health

• Doctors caring for young children

• Doctors caring for ill or disabled partners, relatives or other dependants

“

Category Two”• Doctors training for national or international sporting

events

• Doctors who take on short-term

‘extraordinary responsibility’ eg membership of national committees

• Doctors training for religious roles

• Doctors undertaking non-medical professional development

LTFT should provide…• Identical training over a longer period

• Same hoops, hurdles and high jumps as full-time training

• Competitively appointed• Regular assessments• Competencies demonstrated

• No short cuts or early baths!

Training Placements• Part of programme

• Educationally approved

• May be:• Supernumerary• Slot share• Within full-time post

• Any specialty, any grade

Less than Full-time TrainingExample – FY2 Placement / Job Share• Two doctors sharing an FY2 Placement• Work at 50%• Split out of hours between them• Cover all the duties of the post• Pro-rata holiday / study• 6 x 4 month placements• Same competencies required• Excellent hand over / organisation skills /

relationship with department

What works well?

• Allows training in medicine to continue alongside ill health, personal commitments, etc.

• Often enhances training

• Allows greater experience, greater maturity

“How can Doctors possibly understand the needs of their patients if they cannot understand their own needs…”

I.W.L.

Challenges• Requires great organisation

• Often give more of own time

• Extended training (can return to full-time)

3 Big C’s

• Continuity of Care

• Credibility

• Consultant Progression

• Some specialties (eg Anaesthesia, Emergency Medicine, Paediatrics) are better suited

• You reap what you sow

How do I access it?• Need a game plan

• Need a job!

• Need to be eligible

• Discussion with Training Programme Director / Deanery

• Resources

• Placement

You are probably spending more time planning your holiday than your career.

Game Planning4 Major Choices• What are my career options and which is the

best one for me?

• Will I make career sacrifices to follow or support my partner?

• Will I take an opportunity to work abroad?

• Will I follow my career whole-heartedly or have other roles? (eg Parent, career breaks, other education, sport)

Any Questions?

Summary• Career plan – its never to early (or too

late)

• Opportunities exist to train less than full time and it can be successful

• The work-life balance only happens if you work at it