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filler@godaddy.com
Signed in as:
filler@godaddy.com
Pathways into surgical training in the Republic of Ireland commence following the completion of the post-graduate Intern Year, which is a mandatory requirement for all doctors. Typically, surgical training spans eight years and is divided into two main phases: Core Surgical Training (ST1 and ST2) and Specialty Training (ST3 – ST8).
New surgical trainees in the Republic of Ireland begin their journey with Core Surgical Training (CST), regardless of their chosen future surgical specialty. This initial stage of training consists of two years and includes participation in an intensive surgical boot-camp, designed to enhance competence in surgical knowledge, skills, and professional behaviours. During the CST period, trainees usually spend their ST1 year in general surgery, while the ST2 year often involves 6-12 months of specialisation in their chosen surgical field
Offers opportunities for sub-specialisation in various areas, including upper gastrointestinal surgery, hepatobiliary/transplant surgery, colorectal surgery, and breast/endocrine surgery. Surgeons specialising in these sub-fields can further enhance their skills in advanced techniques such as endoscopy (upper and lower gastrointestinal), laparoscopy/robotic surgery, vascular/microvascular surgery, and reconstructive surgery.
Provides opportunities for sub-specialisation in various areas, encompassing complex hand surgery, craniofacial reconstruction, head/neck oncoplastic surgery, breast reconstruction, abdominal/perineal reconstruction (including post-bariatric), skin cancer surgery, complex burns reconstruction, and congenital/paediatric abnormalities like cleft lip/palate and ear reconstruction. Additionally, this field includes cutting-edge advancements such as hand and facial transplants. Techniques employed in these specialties involve image-guided bone/joint fixation, microvascular surgery, surgical oncology, and tissue transfer.
Encompass a wide range of conditions affecting the musculoskeletal system, including trauma, developmental disorders, degenerative conditions, and bone and soft tissue tumours. Sub-specialisations within this field include upper limb surgery, spinal surgery, hip/knee surgery, ankle/foot surgery, lower limb reconstruction, orthopaedic oncology, sports medicine/surgery, and paediatric orthopaedic surgery. Orthopaedic surgeons often collaborate closely with specialists in neurosurgery, care of the elderly/frailty medicine, rheumatology, plastic surgery, and paediatrics.
Addresses pathologies involving circulation. Surgeons have the option to specialise in various areas, such as diabetic lower-limb disease, endovascular surgery, complex aortic work, renal access procedures, and lymphatic disorders. Close collaboration with specialists like endocrinologists, interventional radiologists, cardiologists/cardiothoracic surgeons, nephrologists, and plastic surgeons is common in this field.
Primarily addresses conditions related to the heart and lungs, and also involves the oesophagus and the chest wall. In the Republic of Ireland, there are no sub-specialty divisions, but surgeons can develop specialist interests in adult cardiac surgery, thoracic surgery, heart or lung transplantation surgery, or congenital cardiothoracic surgery. The skill-set of a cardiothoracic surgeon additionally may encompass vascular/endovascular surgery, microsurgery, and endoscopic procedures.
Focuses on conditions affecting both the urinary tract and male reproductive organs. Sub-specialties within urology encompass urinary tract stone disease, nephro-ureteric and pelvic oncology, urogynaecology, testicular disease, and paediatric urology. Urologists possess a broad range of skills, including cystoscopy, as well as expertise in laparoscopic and robotic surgery.
Addresses pathologies affecting hearing, balance, taste, and smell, along with issues related to oncology, cosmesis, and a substantial volume of paediatric cases. Surgeons in this field may choose to specialise in areas such as skull-base surgery, otology, rhinology, facial plastics, head & neck oncology, voice & complex airway surgery, or paediatric ear, nose & throat surgery. The skill-set required encompasses a wide range of expertise, including microscopic/endoscopic surgery, airway management, and complex cancer cases.
In the Republic of Ireland requires both medical and dental degrees for Intercollegiate Fellowship (FRCS) and Certification of Completion of Specialist Training (CCST). Surgeons in this field have the opportunity to further specialise in areas such as cleft surgery, microvascular cosmetic facial surgery, complex head & neck oncoplastic surgery, and paediatric maxillofacial surgery. Oral and maxillofacial surgeons are trained in both hard and soft tissue surgery, and collaborate closely with dental surgeons, plastic surgeons, and head & neck surgeons.
Focuses on the diagnosis and treatment of disorders affecting the brain, spinal cord, peripheral nerves, and the extra-cranial cerebrovascular system, with a significant emphasis on trauma cases. Sub-specialisations within neurosurgery include neuro-oncology, functional neurosurgery, spinal surgery, neurovascular surgery, and paediatric neurosurgery.
Focuses on the visual system and collaborates closely with medical ophthalmologists. Nearly all surgical ophthalmologists are skilled in performing microsurgical intraocular procedures, particularly for cataract and refractive surgery. Some may further specialise in areas such as vitreoretinal surgery, glaucoma surgery, strabismus correction, neuro-ophthalmology, corneal and external disease, orbital and lacrimal disease, ocular oncology, oculoplastics, or paediatric surgical ophthalmology.
Focuses on surgical care for patients up to 16 years of age, covering various disciplines such as neonatal surgery, general surgery for children, paediatric hepato-biliary surgery, paediatric oncological surgery, and paediatric urology. Paediatric surgeons frequently perform day-case procedures and often collaborate closely with specialists from other surgical specialties who have expertise or interest in paediatric cases.
To enter surgical training in the Republic of Ireland, applicants must fulfil essential criteria such as having a primary medical qualification, employment history, eligibility to work in the Republic of Ireland, IMC registration/fitness to practice, post-graduate internship competencies, language skills, and health requirements. They also need to demonstrate competencies across multiple domains, including clinical skills, communication and non-technical skills, teamwork and leadership/management, audit and quality improvement, teaching skills, research skills, commitment to the specialty, and the ability to self-reflect and self-develop.
At INTERSPARK Limited, our dedicated team of approachable professionals provides one-to-one career counselling tailored to the individual needs of each aspiring surgeon in their journey both into and during training. We focus on optimising surgical portfolios, guiding through the application-to-interview process, and helping surgeons make the most out of their training and surgical life in the Republic of Ireland. Our services also include advice on work-life balance and coping strategies for stress. Schedule a 40-minute consultation with one of our team members today.