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 this sub-specialty
A paediatric endocrinologist is a clinician who has special expertise in looking after children and young people with hormone disorders. These can affect growth or pubertal development and have significant effects on a child’s physical and emotional wellbeing.
The conditions managed can include normal variations in growth and puberty; over or under activity of the pituitary, thyroid and adrenal glands; endocrine-related obesity; more complex disorders of sex development; and metabolic bone disease.
Paediatric endocrinologists link closely with other tertiary specialties, including surgeons, gynaecologists, geneticists and adult endocrinologists, to provide coordinated and comprehensive care. Many paediatric endocrinologists are actively involved in clinical research.
Paediatric endocrinologists are also involved in managing children and young people with diabetes mellitus. This entails developing expertise in optimising blood glucose control to minimise future complications, intensive insulin regimes, continuous glucose monitoring systems (CGMS), and continuous subcutaneous insulin infusions (CSII).
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 diabetes and endocrinology .
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.