The Emergency School at the Health Education England (HEE) Wessex local office wish to ensure that all higher specialty trainees HST4-6 have the best possible opportunities to prepare for the Fellowship of the Royal College of Emergency Medicine (FRCEM).
Whilst it has to be acknowledged that the preparation for the exam is the responsibility of the individual trainee and considerable private study is required, there are areas in which the Emergency Medicine School in Wessex can assist.
The most significant way is through the 15 Wessex Emergency Medicine Trainee Association (WREMTA) training days that are facilitated by the region and individual departments.
Here is our strategy to help with the four areas of the exam
1. Short answer questions / OSCEs.
WREMTA
Many of the topics are suitable for covering in the WREMTA training days, lectures and workshops. These are presented by specialist speakers, Emergency Department Consultants or the trainees.
The WREMTA timetable is designed to cover all suitable topics over a 2 year period, so all trainees should cover the curriculum before their ST6 year if they managed to attend all WREMTA days.
Linkage to e-learning. To encourage the use of e-learning, a week prior to each WREMTA, trainees will be notified of an e-learning topic to complete in preparation for WREMTA. This is topic will tie in to a one that is being presented at the WREMTA training day. Over a two year period 30 e-learning topics could be covered by a trainee if diligent.
Mock Exam
SAQs and OSCE’s are part of the mock exams held yearly in January.
Departments
The short answer/ OSCEs are designed to be topics encountered regularly in the ED, so WPBAs and time on the shop floor with a consultant are essential. All trainees should gain this working in their departments.
Individual study
This is the most important part of any individual’s preparation for this part of the exam. The region supports study leave for courses or private study to this aim. This would include relevant life support courses.
2. Quality Improvement Project
This is an individual responsibility.
We advise Trainees to complete this in ST4 and refer to the regional policy.
We have a regional QIP lead who provides QIP training to all new ST4s. Each department also has it’s own QIP lead for local trainee support.
3. Critical Appraisal
We recognise most trainees have achieved this prior to ST4 and we strongly encourage everyone to have achieved this by the end of ST4.
WREMTA
Critical appraisal is practiced at WREMTA and these teaching sessions always aim to be evidence based.
Courses
We encourage you to attend the Wessex Critical appraisal course.
Mock exam
There is a critical appraisal paper at the yearly mock exam held in January.
4. Management Portfolio
All Trainee who CCT after August 2018 will need a management portfolio .
WREMTA
Management topics are included with in the WREMTA timetable and will be a session at each day, with topics taken from the management portfolio. These will always be lead by an ED consultant.
Departments
Many of the topics are everyday problems encountered by the Emergency Department consultants. Trainees must make the most of these opportunities to learn and have specific agreements with their educational supervisor as to how to gain these experiences from ST4 year onwards. Use of the management portfolio is encouraged.
Wessex Local Office
The HEE Wessex Local Office provides some excellent courses in this area, which all trainees should make use of: e.g. leadership or management courses.
Mock Exam
There will be a management viva for as long as it is needed at the yearly mock exam held in January.