Introduction
Teaching is a key part of your portfolio when applying for specialty training in the UK — whether that’s IMT, ST1 specialties such as Ophthalmology, Histopathology, Radiology, or higher ST4 medical specialty training.
But many doctors aren’t sure:
- What actually counts?
- How do you maximise points?
This guide breaks it down clearly.
What Counts as Teaching for Specialty Training?
You can gain points through:
✔️ Regular teaching
- Scheduled teaching sessions
- Teaching juniors or medical students
✔️ Structured teaching programmes
- Organising teaching series
- Leading sessions over time
✔️ Formal training in teaching
- Teach the Teacher courses
- Medical education courses
📊 How to Maximise Your Score
To score highly, you need:
1. Consistency
Regular teaching over time
2. Evidence
- Feedback forms
- Attendance records
3. Reflection
- What you learned
- How you improved
4. Formal training
This is where courses give you an edge.
5. Ensure correct Course Formatting
Some applications such as IMT1 or Radiology may specify the need for teaching course to involve a certain number of LIVE SYNCHRONOUS teaching hours and candidates are encouraged to ensure that their chosen course provider meets the required delivery format.
Common Mistakes
- One-off teaching sessions
- No feedback collected
- No documentation
- No formal training in teaching methods
Why Teaching Courses Help
A structured course:
- strengthens your evidence
- improves your understanding of the theories involved in delivering high quality clinical teaching sessions
- boosts credibility
Final Tip
Start early. Even a few months of:
- structured teaching
- plus a formal course
…can significantly improve your application.
Explore CPD-accredited teaching courses designed specifically for UK doctors at The Clinician’s Campus.
