Read about this clinical area and download the syllabi for both sub-specialty and for generic specialty training. We also have an educational supervisor guide.
Introduction to paediatric allergy, immunology and infectious diseases (PAIID) sub-specialty
A PAIID specialist is a clinician who works across all paediatric age groups to investigate, diagnose and manage infectious, immunological and allergic disorders. They work in both inpatient and outpatient settings, with acute and chronic presentations of disease, and provide specialist regional advice in a model of shared care with local hospitals.
Most specialists will have one primary area of interest (allergy, immunology or infection), but will have core training in all three areas. PAIID paediatricians usually practice in multidisciplinary teams (MDTs) in centres with co-located specialty disciplines, including paediatric intensive care units (PICU) and adult allergy, immunology and infectious disease (AIID) specialists, and supporting services, eg immunology, microbiology and virology laboratories.
At the tertiary level, PAIID paediatricians have developed detailed knowledge of the developing immune system and its role in infection and allergic disease in children. Furthermore, they are knowledgeable about interpreting microbiological and immunological investigations and have had laboratory experience in a tertiary centre.
They are involved in treating primary and secondary immunodeficiency, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection and infection in the immunocompromised host, as well as administering allergen-specific immunotherapy.
Training in this sub-specialty
In summer 2023, we launched RCPCH Progress+, our updated, two-level paediatric training programme in the UK.
Paediatricians start in core training, and then move on to specialty training - when some choose to apply to train in a paediatric sub-specialty, such as PAIID.
The Progress+ curriculum provides a framework for paediatric training, and outlines the Learning Outcomes and Key Capabilities required at each stage before attaining the Certificate of Completion of Training (CCT).
The RCPCH Progress+ syllabi support the curriculum with further guidance on how the Learning Outcomes can be achieved and demonstrated, with sub-specialty Learning Outcomes. You can download the Progress+ syllabi for this sub-specialty and for specialty training (generic) below.
Trainees due to CCT by September 2024 continue to use the Progress curriculum and syllabi; you can also download the the Progress syllabi below.
- Advice from the PAIID CSAC
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Note: This advice was written for Progress, and will be updated for Progress+.
PAIID sub-specialty training is indicatively three years in length to provide adequate time for the experience required for the sub-specialty. Some experience prior to joining the training programme may enable a trainee to demonstrate capabilities more quickly. The PAIID CSAC (College Specialty Advisory Committee) reviews this once a trainee has joined a programme and advises the next ARCP panel on recommendations.
To be eligible for sub-specialty training (for example if already ST6), we may accept training within a recognised sub-specialty training post in the UK. This does require approval from the PAIID CSAC prior to applications to the sub-specialty training programme.
We cannot guarantee any reduced training time, unless capabilities are appropriately met and regular reviews are undertaken via the CSAC. Please seek early help, or approval, for any training posts intending to count.
For overseas training, we request a link with a UK PAIID supervisor with ongoing annual review.