Faculty of Sports and Exercise Medicine (RCPI and RCSI)
Report by Dr Philip Carolan, Dean, Faculty of Sports and Exercise Medicine (RCPI and RCSI)
The Faculty of Sports and Exercise Medicine (FSEM) is a joint faculty between the Royal College of Physicians of Ireland (RCPI) and RCSI, which provides postgraduate training and continuous professional development (CPD) in sports and exercise medicine.
Work continues with the Faculty’s parent Colleges to finalise new governance structures, including updated Standing Orders and a Memorandum of Understanding.
CPD opportunities
CPD activities were delivered mainly online through webinars and journal clubs. The 2024 Annual Scientific Conference, held in September at RCSI, was delivered in collaboration with The Irish Society of Chartered Physiotherapists, Athletic Rehabilitation Therapy Ireland, and the Irish Sport and Exercise Science Association (ISESA) – marking ISESA’s first year as a co-collaborator. At the conference, 43 students from the 2024 Irish College of General Practitioners/FSEM Musculoskeletal Diploma intake graduated.
The Faculty’s Annual Spring Symposium in April was a well-attended virtual event on ‘Sports Injuries and Athletic Development in the Young Athlete’, held in collaboration with the University of Limerick.
Higher Specialist Training in Sports and Exercise Medicine
The Faculty completed a Medical Council re-accreditation review of its training programme in December 2021 and received final recommendations in May 2023. Work is ongoing to address these, with a report to be submitted to the Medical Council in autumn 2025.
Plans are underway to develop a four to six-year SEM training route in Ireland, aligned with EU directives, running alongside the existing two-year HST programme. Curriculum reviews are in progress to ensure alignment with UK and EU standards. Since 2019, seven trainees have completed the programme, with Dr Valerie Hayes becoming the first female graduate of the HST programme in July 2025.
Fellows and Members
In 2023, the Faculty introduced new subscription packages for Fellows and Members: a ‘benefits’ rate including free CPD event attendance and online access to the British Journal of Sports Medicine, and a ‘standard’ reduced rate with a pay as you go option for our CPD events. These packages aim to encourage continued engagement among our Fellows and Members.
HSE Physical Activity Pathway in Healthcare Model advisory group
The Faculty appointed representatives to the new HSE Physical Activity Pathway in Healthcare Model advisory group and looks forward to collaborating further on this important work.