CICM Primary Exam education
Dr Tamishta Hensman (ICU Advanced Trainee, The Austin) has developed an ICU Primary teaching program, which is available through Teleconference to Bendigo. This is an excellent opportunity for accessing regular Primary teaching and developing both a study group and a relationship with other registrars in Melbourne. If you are interested in participating, please email Tamishta Hensman (tamishta@gmail.com) to be added to the mailing list.
Framework for Primary Teaching at the Austin
Background
The CICM Primary Examination is a biannual examination comprised of a written and oral component. The syllabus is comprised of physiology, pharmacology and principles of measurement as they relate to the practice of intensive care medicine.
As the requirements of ICM training evolve, the examination has seen a marked uptake amongst trainees, resulting in the need for a program that supports its preparation.
The Program
Tutorials will initially be held once a fortnight at 7am on Tuesday mornings in either the ICU Boardroom or other teaching precinct on site. The sessions will be open to all 1st part candidates; priority will be made for Austin Health trainees. RSVPs will be required each week, with sessions taking place with a minimum of 1 confirmed attendance.
To ensure familiarity with content and delivery, facilitators will need to have either passed the CICM, FRCA or equivalent 1st part examination, or have undertaken the VPECC teaching stream. The format of the sessions would be predominantly exam-oriented with little, if any, didactic teaching. Example formats will be made available to facilitators, and include timed written questions and practice VIVAs. A timetable of topics will be made available on Find My Shift at least 2 months ahead, to enable facilitators and candidates to appropriately prepare. Suggestions of format will also be included to match the exam cycle (ie emphasis on VIVA practice when approaching the VIVA exam). These will be advisory, not prescriptive.
Pre-tutorial MCQs will be emailed to candidates 1 week beforehand, with post-tutorials emailed after the tutorial takes place. These will contain a selection of MCQs related to the topic covered. The aim is to provide candidates with MCQ practice. It will also help to identify areas of strength and weakness, thereby helping to target tutorial content.
Evaluation
Evaluation of the program will aim to measure metrics of success and identify areas for improvement. The parameters measured will include number of sessions run, attendees, percentage weekly attendance per person and number of candidates passing per year. Qualitative feedback from facilitators and candidates will be actively sought.
Resources
Development of a central resource is a long-term goal of this program. The aim will be to supplement the tutorial program with a website. The contents will include practical information about preparing and sitting the exam, mini-tutorials on difficult concepts and a compendium of high-yield facts and figures.
to edit.
The CICM Primary Examination is a biannual examination comprised of a written and oral component. The syllabus is comprised of physiology, pharmacology and principles of measurement as they relate to the practice of intensive care medicine.
As the requirements of ICM training evolve, the examination has seen a marked uptake amongst trainees, resulting in the need for a program that supports its preparation.
The Program
Tutorials will initially be held once a fortnight at 7am on Tuesday mornings in either the ICU Boardroom or other teaching precinct on site. The sessions will be open to all 1st part candidates; priority will be made for Austin Health trainees. RSVPs will be required each week, with sessions taking place with a minimum of 1 confirmed attendance.
To ensure familiarity with content and delivery, facilitators will need to have either passed the CICM, FRCA or equivalent 1st part examination, or have undertaken the VPECC teaching stream. The format of the sessions would be predominantly exam-oriented with little, if any, didactic teaching. Example formats will be made available to facilitators, and include timed written questions and practice VIVAs. A timetable of topics will be made available on Find My Shift at least 2 months ahead, to enable facilitators and candidates to appropriately prepare. Suggestions of format will also be included to match the exam cycle (ie emphasis on VIVA practice when approaching the VIVA exam). These will be advisory, not prescriptive.
Pre-tutorial MCQs will be emailed to candidates 1 week beforehand, with post-tutorials emailed after the tutorial takes place. These will contain a selection of MCQs related to the topic covered. The aim is to provide candidates with MCQ practice. It will also help to identify areas of strength and weakness, thereby helping to target tutorial content.
Evaluation
Evaluation of the program will aim to measure metrics of success and identify areas for improvement. The parameters measured will include number of sessions run, attendees, percentage weekly attendance per person and number of candidates passing per year. Qualitative feedback from facilitators and candidates will be actively sought.
Resources
Development of a central resource is a long-term goal of this program. The aim will be to supplement the tutorial program with a website. The contents will include practical information about preparing and sitting the exam, mini-tutorials on difficult concepts and a compendium of high-yield facts and figures.
to edit.