Curriculum

Curriculum

Photo of two doctors talking on the ward
Two doctors talking on the ward

The Foundation Programme Curriculum sets out the framework for educational progression that will support the first two years of professional development following graduation from medical school. Under the curriculum, Foundation doctors have to demonstrate that they are competent in a number of areas. This includes communication and consultation skills, patient safety and team work as well as the more traditional elements of medical training.

UK Foundation Programme Curriculum 2021

The Foundation Programme (FP) curriculum, which underpins the training and professional development of newly graduated doctors, relaunched for the first time in five years in summer 2021. The curriculum sets out a holistic approach to care including physical health, mental health and social health and the skills required to manage this in both acute and community settings and for patients with chronic conditions. Foundation doctors must demonstrate that they are competent in the traditional elements of medical training but also in areas such as communication and consultation skills, patient safety and teamwork. The curriculum provides a framework for educational progression that will help them achieve these skills and supports them through the first two years of professional development after graduation from medical school.

“The last curriculum was published in 2016 and a lot has happened since then, not least the coronavirus pandemic. To remain fit for purpose, the Foundation Programme must evolve with medical practice and training, so our doctors are properly equipped to practice in a range of healthcare setting, now and in the future.” Dr Tony Choules, Chair of the AoMRC Foundation Programme Committee and Operational Advisor to the UKFPO.

If you have any queries or comments about the 2021 curriculum, please contact us at foundation.educationandsupport@nhs.net

See below a series of UKFPO resources that will help Foundation doctors, trainers and Foundation schools to understand what the 2021 curriculum means for them.

UK FP Curriculum 2021 (interactive pdf) –> We recommend users access the new curriculum document through Adobe Reader or an up to date browser (for example Chrome or Firefox). Users accessing the document through Microsoft Edge may not get the full experience of the interactive PDF.

The Gold Guide (9th edition) –> A reference guide for postgraduate foundation and specialty training in the UK

Rough guide to the curriculum –> written by Foundation doctors, for Foundation doctors

Curriculum resource –> This resource document highlights national guidance and protocols available to support each of the curriculum’s foundation professional capabilities. It lists many of the freely available evidence-based resources, including helpful web links (such as e-lfh and BMA) and guidance notes.

See our Webinars page to access the recordings of webinars supporting the 2021 curriculum.

Detailed information about forms to be completed as part of foundation training:

Assessments

Supervised Learning Events (SLEs)

Other forms

Annual Review of Competence Progression (ARCP)

– FAQS

ARCP

Curriculum and Assessment

Foundation doctors should discuss their intention to take time out of programme (OOP), also known as Time Out of Foundation Programme (TOFP), with their medical school/training programme director and review the form below. Completed forms should be sent to their foundation school for consideration.

Time Out of Foundation Programme (TOFP) Request Form

The AoMRC Foundation Programme Committee have produced guidance supporting foundation doctors on giving written feedback to their colleagues [.pdf, 156KB, July 2023]

View information on membership offers in UKFP and other medical education forums for Foundation doctors, as of April 2021, in this Overview of Membership and Representation Options document.

Our Careers page contains information on life after the Foundation Programme.

UK patient representatives – thanks to those who took our survey on the new curriculum for 2021!

Presentation – The new FP curriculum (for patient reps)

Written summary of changes to the curriculum (for patient reps)

Guidance on Undertaking Additional Work (published by COPMeD on 07 January 2019)

F1 doctors and locum work

Provisionally registered doctors (foundation year one/F1) must not undertake formal locum posts or activities.

Provisionally registered doctors can undertake occasional ad hoc additional/overtime shifts on their current FY1 placement or previous FY1 placements that have formed part of their F1 rotation, where such work is undertaken only within the limits of their current competence and with the support of their educational supervisor. When undertaking such occasional ad hoc additional/overtime work provisionally registered doctors should be clear with other members of their team about their current experience and level of competence.

Resource Bank

A list of videos, podcasts and support documents for all users of the 2021 curriculum.

TopicResources
1: Launch of new UK Foundation Programme curriculum 2021YouTube – What does the new curriculum mean for a supervisor?

YouTube – What does the new curriculum mean for a foundation doctor?

– The 2021 curriculum Factsheet
– Introduction to 2021 curriculum for educators Factsheet

Podcast
2: The educational supervisor (ES)
The clinical supervisor (CS)
– The ES Factsheet
– The ES Podcast

– The CS Factsheet
– The CS Podcast
3: The Foundation doctor
Self development time
– The foundation doctor Factsheet
– Self development time Factsheet
Personal learning log guide
4: The role of the doctorFactsheet
Podcast
5: The Placement Supervision Group (PSG)YouTube
Factsheet
– Importance of PSG feedback tool Research and guidance
6: Supervised Learning Events (SLEs)YouTube
Factsheet
7: The LEARN formFactsheet
8: The summary narrativeYouTube
Factsheet

Example 1
Example 2
9: Giving feedbackFactsheet
10: Supporting the Foundation doctor (including minority groups)– Supporting the foundation doctor Factsheet
– Supporting inclusion and equity YouTube
11: Building a portfolioFactsheet
YouTube
12: The annual review of competence progression (ARCP)– ARCP Checklist
– Further information on our ARCP page