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Tropical Medicine (TM) is a relatively small specialty which is studied alongside Internal Medicine (IM)or Medical Microbiology or Virology. It focusses on diagnosis and management of imported infections, scientific laboratory processes, and research into a range of issues including health inequality, migrant health, and neglected global tropical diseases. It studies deadly and high consequence infectious diseases, antimicrobial resistance, and managing infection control and clinical care in limited resource settings. This field provides expertise and advice to government bodies regarding international health networks and partnerships. and it involves different employing organisations, including international NGOs, private laboratories, and academic institutions.

Tropical Medicine Jobs

Tropical Medicine Physicians are experts on infectious and tropical diseases, including imported diseases and disease outbreaks around the globe. They are trained in infection control and prevention, in various settings, and laboratory processes, including test selection, limitations and interpretation. Like Infectious Diseases Physicians, Medical Virologists, and medical microbiologists, they are skilled in the rapid assessment, infection control, diagnosis, and clinical management of patients with confirmed or suspected infectious diseases. They can manage complex infections, across in-patient and outpatient settings, and in limited resource settings, such as remote areas or countries overseas. They practice laboratory safety and quality assurance, work in multi-disciplinary teams, and undertake important research in their field. Tropical Medicine Physicians work in hospitals, academic and research institutions, and in the community and private sector. They are often responsible for team management, infection control governance and quality assurance of scientific and research processes. They can provide expert advice to governments, international institutions, and corporations, including the biotech and pharmaceutical industry. To pursue a career in this field, doctors complete foundation and core training, followed by higher specialist training in Tropical Medicine, which takes approximately 5-6 years to complete and is combined with either Internal Medicine, Medical Microbiology or Medical Virology, leading to a dual CCT and specialty registration with the GMC.