Respiratory curriculum and related resources

BTS Training Standards

Our training standards provide comprehensive frameworks to support learners as they develop their skillsets and progress through the levels of training outlined in relevant curricula. They also support supervisors as they guide learners through the levels of capability and make entrustment decisions.

We have published the following training standard documents:

BTS Training Standards for Pleural Procedures

This latest document, published in December 2025, sets out a framework that ensures those performing pleural procedures do so safely, operating within their skillset. It covers the primary procedures relevant to general respiratory medicine, internal and acute medicine/critical care, as well as the advanced procedures that are performed by specialist teams.

Read the BTS Training Standards for Pleural Procedures.

BTS Training Standards for Pleural Procedures - Appendix 1: This document is an appendix to the BTS Training Standards in Pleural Procedures and should be read alongside the Training Standard. It is an expert opinion survey which was undertaken with the support of the UK Pleural Society via an online questionnaire sent to all UK clinical members. This survey was also highlighted at the BTS Open Pleural SAG meeting in November 2023.

BTS Training Standard for Thoracic Ultrasound

This document, published in May 2020, provides a comprehensive framework for thoracic ultrasound to support the management of patients with respiratory presentations, particularly (but not exclusively) pleural pathologies.

Read the Training Standards for Thoracic Ultrasound.

Dr John Park, chair of the BTS Training Standard working group, explains the rationale for the new document. Read the feature on the Respiratory Futures website

Find out more from the Frequently Asked Questions document.

Links to the Respiratory Medicine Curriculum, Internal Medicine Curriculum and other resources are provided below.