Investigating prospective Genito-urinary medicine trainees' perspectives on applying to and entering Internal Medicine Training: Barriers and opportunities for support
Richardson, Millicent Mulchrone, Maeve Thomas, Catrin Cochrane, Eleanor Goldwater Breheny, Cate Sunilkumar, Adhishree Lyons, Amy Currie, Grace Todd, Liberty-Isabelle Heath, Ella
Richardson, Millicent
Mulchrone, Maeve
Thomas, Catrin
Cochrane, Eleanor
Goldwater Breheny, Cate
Sunilkumar, Adhishree
Lyons, Amy
Currie, Grace
Todd, Liberty-Isabelle
Heath, Ella
Abstract
Objectives: Genito-urinary medicine (GUM) in the UK is experiencing a recruitment crisis, with persistently low higher specialty training (HST) fill rates. As completion of Internal Medicine Training (IMT) stage 1 is required before GUM HST, we aimed to explore prospective applicants' understanding of applications and identify how the Student and Trainee Association for Sexual Health and HIV (STASHH) could provide support.
Methods: An online evaluation was distributed via STASHH's social media and ambassador networks to medical students and pre-specialty doctors interested in GUM. Respondents provided information on training stage, familiarity with IMT applications, self-assessed scores, and perceived barriers.
Results: Of 59 respondents, 56 were eligible for analysis. Most (86%) were considering IMT, but 73% reported the IMT requirements deterred them from GUM. 34% self-scored above the 2024 interview threshold. Gaps included postgraduate qualifications (83%), teaching (70%), and publications (58%). Barriers included research access, time and financial pressures, lack of mentorship, and perceived lack of understanding of the research process. These barriers disproportionately affect those from widening participation backgrounds.
Conclusions: Difficulties in IMT stage 1 recruitment are likely to present a significant barrier to adequate GUM HST fill rates. STASHH can address this through improved access to mentorship, teaching, research opportunities, and clearer portfolio guidance.
MIDER Authors
Date
2026-02-21
Type
Article
Subject
Education, medical, Urology
Collections
Citation
Richardson M, Mulchrone M, Thomas C, Cochrane E, Goldwater Breheny C, Sunilkumar A, Lyons A, Currie G, Todd LI, Heath E, Edwards L, Cartner E, Masters T. Investigating prospective Genito-urinary medicine trainees' perspectives on applying to and entering Internal Medicine Training: Barriers and opportunities for support. Int J STD AIDS. 2026 Feb 21:9564624251400573. doi: 10.1177/09564624251400573. Epub ahead of print.
Journal / Source Title
International Journal of STD & AIDS
DOI
10.1177/09564624251400573
PMID
41721635
Publisher
SAGE Publications
Publisher’s URL
https://journals.sagepub.com/home/std