2018 Exit Assessment Australasian Chapter of Sexual Health Medicine

Transcription

1 2018 Exit Assessment Australasian Chapter of Sexual Health Medicine Instructions to Candidates 2018 AChSHM Exit Assessment - Instructions to Candidates 1

2 Table of Contents Examination Details... 3 Key Dates... 3 Location... 3 The Application Process... 3 Eligibility... 3 Examination Attempts... 3 Invitation to Apply... 4 Application Period... 4 Application Confirmation... 4 Withdrawal of application... 4 Special Consideration... 4 How to Apply for Special Consideration... 4 The Exit Assessment... 6 Purpose of the Exit Assessment... 6 Registration... 7 On the day of the Assessment... 7 Items to Bring... 7 Items not permitted in the Exit Assessment Area... 8 Exam day dress code... 8 Sample Exit Assessment Day Timetable... 8 Completing the Assessment... 8 Reading Time... 8 Interview Sessions... 9 Break... 9 After the Exit Assessment... 9 Results Core skills required by ACSHM Fellows Appendix A Summary of Possible Special Consideration Outcomes AChSHM Exit Assessment - Instructions to Candidates 2

3 Examination Details Key Dates Examination Date Friday, 31 August 2018 Results Released (via ) Thursday, 6 September 2018 Examination Applications Open Monday, 14 May 2018 Examination Applications Close Thursday, 31 May 2018 Pre-Examination Special Consideration Requests Close Provisions for examination day Examination Day Special Consideration Requests Close Technical and procedural issues only Wednesday, 1 August 2018 Wednesday, 5 September 2018 Location The Australasian Chapter of Sexual Health Medicine (AChSHM) Exit Assessment is usually held once a year in Sydney. The venue in Sydney is at the discretion of the College. All Candidates will be expected to travel to Sydney to undertake the Exit Assessment. The Application Process Eligibility The exam is usually sat during the third year of Advanced Training. A trainee will be eligible to sit the Exit Assessment Interview in the following calendar year after they have completed 24 months FTE of certified training. This includes completing a satisfactory project. Additional eligibility requirements include: Be fully current with all College training fees. Trainees with outstanding training fees will not be eligible to sit the Exit Assessment unless they have made an application in writing to the Honorary Treasurer requesting special consideration. Examination Attempts Limits on the total training time allowed and the number of examination attempts are specified by the Progression through Training Policy. The revised policy took effect on 1 January Transition arrangements are in place which may be relevant to trainees sitting the Exit Assessment in For more details please see the relevant Basic Training Handbook and the Progression through Training Policy information on the RACP website AChSHM Exit Assessment - Instructions to Candidates 3

4 Invitation to Apply Eligible Candidates will be ed an Invitation to Apply for the AChSHM Exit Assessment; this will include the completion and submission of a formal application form. If you expect you are eligible to sit the examination and have not received an invitation please contact the AChSHM Education Officer via shmedtraining@racp.edu.au Application Period Applications will only be accepted with the submission of a completed AChSHM Application Form. The Application form will need to be returned to the AChSHM Examination Coordinator via to examinations@racp.edu.au for processing and approval. Application Confirmation When your application form has been approved, a confirmation will be sent to you. A Candidate Allocation Letter will be sent to all pre-confirmed applicants via six weeks prior to the examination date.. Your Candidate Allocation Letter will detail the location and entrance requirements for your examination and will also include any necessary items you need to ensure your arrival at the examination venue. Withdrawal of application If you wish to withdraw from the Exit Assessment, you must contact examinations@racp.edu.au. Withdrawals are not counted as examination attempts. You may withdraw up until the commencement of the Examination. If you need to withdraw from the Exit Assessment, you may re-apply for the Exit Assessment in the following year provided you meet the eligibility criteria as listed. Special Consideration The RACP will take the following circumstances into consideration for the Clinical Examination: Circumstances occurring prior to the examination: permanent and longstanding impairment; temporary impairment medical grounds; non-medical compassionate grounds or serious disruption; essential commitments (religious, cultural, societal or legal obligations). Circumstances occurring after you have commenced the examination: technical or procedural issues encountered during the examination Specific possible outcomes are applicable to each of the circumstances above. Please see Appendix A: Summary of Possible Special Consideration Outcomes for details of outcomes, documentation required and timing of applications. The College will not adjust your examination mark or your examination result due to any of the circumstances above AChSHM Exit Assessment - Instructions to Candidates 4

5 How to apply for Special Consideration 1. Read: the Special Consideration for Assessments Policy on the College website. 2. Complete: the Special Consideration for Assessment Policy Application Form and attach The relevant supporting documents. 3. Submit: the application form to by the relevant due date (see Appendix A). Unfortunately, we are not able to accept late applications for special consideration requests. For further information please refer to the College s Special Consideration for Assessment Policy available on the RACP website at: Please note the following relating to examination Results: Candidates are unable to request any of the following in relation to their examination mark or result: Appeals Reviews Reconsiderations Following the examination candidates may request only: Special Consideration due to technical or procedural issues encountered during the examination. Your marks/result will not be altered AChSHM Exit Assessment - Instructions to Candidates 5

6 The Exit Assessment Purpose of the Exit Assessment The primary aim of this interview is to test the candidate's ability to integrate all of the relevant issues - diagnostic, individual management and public health - which arise from the cases presented. Candidates are also expected to demonstrate a detailed knowledge of current debate, recent advances and ethical dilemmas which arise out of the practice of sexual health medicine. The candidate is examined by two panels of two Examiners. The interviewers may use slides, pathology reports; case notes etc to present cases. Common issues to be discussed may include: (a) (b) (c) (d) (e) (f) (g) (h) mixed infections, atypical presentations, late sequelae of infection (including persisting problems); rationale underlying common management protocols; management dilemmas imposed by social or logistical factors; interpretation of pathology specimens; problems arising out of concurrent pregnancy, immune compromise, sexual assault or psychosexual problems; health service delivery issues; public health issues, including health promotion and surveillance; and legal and ethical dilemmas AChSHM Exit Assessment - Instructions to Candidates 6

7 On the day of the Assessment Registration The expected arrival times on the day of the Exit Assessment will be 9:30am. It is the responsibility of the candidate to note the time of arrival in their Candidate Allocation Letter and adhere to the schedule. If you arrive early you will not be admitted to the examination area. On reporting to the Examination site, you will be asked to present a current form of Photo ID and sign an attendance record. All candidates must bring current identification which clearly shows all of the following: Name (as registered with the RACP) Photograph Signature Examples of such ID include a valid driver s licence or a valid passport. Candidates are required to sign a Confidentiality Agreement on arrival at the examination centre. Items to Bring You are required to bring the following items to the Exit Examination: 1. Candidate Allocation Letter showing your candidate name, number and examination location. This letter is sent to candidates in July and will also outline examination venue details. Candidates will not be allowed to sit the examination without this letter. 2. Current photographic identification, which also displays your full name and signature e.g. passport or photo driver s licence. 3. Two (2) blue or black pens and any highlighters or other stationary items you might wish to use. Note: these items must be in a clear plastic bag or case. 4. Standard analogue wrist watch (no smart watches or electronic devices). All mobile phones/pagers/electronic communication devices including smart watches are to be switched off and must be left with your bags. You will be advised on the day of the examination where your bag will be placed. Please note that your belongings cannot be accessed for the duration of the examination session you are allocated to. Any candidates found with their mobile phone/pager/electronic communication devices on their person during the examination will be automatically disqualified and immediately escorted out of the examination venue. If you misplace your Candidate Allocation Letter prior to the Sexual Health Medicine Examination, please contact the Assessment and Selection Group immediately to organise a replacement: examinations@racp.edu.au AChSHM Exit Assessment - Instructions to Candidates 7

8 Items not permitted in the Exit Assessment Area The following are not permitted in the examination area: Written material (other than your Candidate Allocation Letter); Mobile phones/pagers; Calculators/electronic devices (including smart watches and/or any communication devices); Food or beverages; All other belongings e.g. bags. Exam day dress code Please ensure you dress appropriately for the weather conditions. Wear comfortable clothes - you do not need to wear a suit, but you should be dressed professionally. Casual clothes, such as shorts and thongs, are not acceptable. Exit Assessment Day Timetable After signing in you will be asked to wait until we are ready to guide you to your allocated first assessment room. NOTE: The following table represents an example of the typical format of the ACSHM Exit Assessment for candidates: Time* Exam Station 1 Exam Station 2 12:45pm 12:50pm Reading time Reading Time 12:50pm 1:20pm John Smith Frances Houseman 1:20pm 1:25pm Reading time Reading Time 1:25pm 1:55pm Frances Houseman John Smith *times given above are subject to change as per each exam cycle Completing the Assessment Reading Time You will be provided with a copy of the first two exam questions in printed form 5 minutes prior to the Examination so that you can prepare yourself. To enable you to prepare for your second interview session, you will also have the opportunity to review the questions and your notes during the second 5 minute break. No textbooks or other resources will be allowed in either the examination rooms or the reading rooms. Notepaper will be provided. At the end of the reading period, you will be escorted to the door of your first interview by an exam assistant. At the start time of your first interview you will be advised to enter your allocated room AChSHM Exit Assessment - Instructions to Candidates 8

9 Interview Sessions The Exit Assessment consists of eight questions across two 30-minute interview sessions with two separate panels of two examiners. There will be four questions with each panel. Each examiner in turn will take the role of lead questioner, with both examiners involved in the assessment of the answers. During this time there may also be an Observer present in the room. You will cover at least 3 of the examination questions in each of the Examination Rooms. Copies of the questions for each examination room will be provided to you prior to the commencement of the reading session. Break After the first 30 minute session, there will be a changeover time of 5 minutes. You will be escorted from the first interview room and will be fully supervised by examination assistants during this time. You are permitted to review the questions and your notes at this time. At the end of the 5 minute break time you will be escorted to your allocated room for your second examination session with the second panel of examiners. After the Exit Assessment Prior to leaving the exam venue, you must surrender your folder with all questions and notes to the examination assistants. At the end of the examination day, you will be able to collect your personal belongings from the examination assistants in attendance AChSHM Exit Assessment - Instructions to Candidates 9

10 Results You will be notified of your Examination outcome via a personalised . Please ensure that your address with the RACP is current. Results released: 3pm AEST Thursday, 6 September 2018 Contacts*: To check or update your address MyRACP or memberservices@racp.edu.au If you have not received your results by 8am Friday: o Have you checked your junk/spam ? o Are you using a computer with a firewall? o Still have issues? Request that your notification be re-sent examinations@racp.edu.au By phone 1300 MY RACP ( ), (+61) *Please note that the Assessment and Selection Group is unable to discuss examination results with candidates over the phone or via AChSHM Exit Assessment - Instructions to Candidates 10

11 Core skills required by ACSHM Fellows A specialist or consultant sexual health physician should be able to: (a) (b) (c) (d) (e) (f) (g) (h) (i) (j) (k) (l) (m) (n) (o) take an accurate general medical, social, sexual and drug use history; apply an expert level of knowledge to the diagnosis and clinical management (including contact tracing) of a wide range of STI/HIV infections and other sexual health problems; apply detailed knowledge of the pharmacology of antimicrobial agents used against STI/HIV infections as well as the diagnosis and management of adverse reactions to these agents; apply a detailed knowledge of the local and general epidemiology and impact of STI/HIV infections; apply an understanding of the pathogenesis of STI/HIV infections; apply a detailed understanding of the methods and limitations of the laboratory diagnosis of STI/HIV infections, including "hands on" skills in specimen collection and handling; light, phase contrast and dark field microscopy; and rapid serological tests for common STIs; recognise and manage (including appropriate referral) personal and cultural factors relevant to any individual's sexual health problem; ensure that patients are counselled on appropriate contraceptive cover; assist patients to minimise the risk of transmission of STI/HIV infections through "safer sex" and "safer (drug) use"; understand the cultural factors that contribute to the persistence of STI/ HIV infections in the community and, in conjunction with community representatives and other health professionals, develop and implement appropriate interventions that minimise the impact of these diseases; act as an advocate to government and non-government organisations for the promotion of sexual health; identify the needs and develop and administer an appropriate health service with the aim of improving the sexual health of a local community; participate in debate and research in the area of sexual health; participate in community and professional education about sexual health; and provide expert consultancy on sexual health matters AChSHM Exit Assessment - Instructions to Candidates 11

12 Appendix A Summary of Possible Special Consideration Outcomes 2018 AChSHM Exit Assessment - Instructions to Candidates 12