Introduction: Current FRCEM Final Management Viva
Management viva still will be part of the FRCEM final examination until new format introduce in August 2018.
Please check the link listed below,
- 2015 curriculum
http://www.rcem.ac.uk/RCEM/Exams_Training/UK_Trainees/Curriculum/RCEM/Exams_Training/UK_Trainees/Curriculum.aspx
- Management portfolio guidance
https://portal.rcem.ac.uk/LIVE/docs/Training/1.4.6%20Guidance%20-%20Management%20Portfolio.pdf
- Regulation and information pack for FRCEM final examination
https://portal.rcem.ac.uk/LIVE/docs/Exams/2.3%20FRCEM%20Final%20Information%20Pack.pdf
You are assessed against a number of defined criteria with a total of 40 marks available. You are then required to obtain an overall score of 23 or above in order to pass the Management Viva.
You need to study smart for the management viva. This mean you need to know what is the common themes, what are they looking for ( marking sheet) and you will require lots of practice before the day.
Aims of management viva
Before we go to a bit further, let look at the aims of the management viva. If you have a better undertanding of the viva, perhaps you can tailor you answers during the viva.
To able to work as a consultant on day 1, therefore you must be able
- To show ability to prioritise and time manage
- To demonstrate a good decision making and delegate tasks
- Show a good and effective ommnunication skills
- Manage the shopfloor
- Show knowledge on complaints, clinical governance, ethics and probity, medical awareness and disciplinary procedure
Topic to be considered for management viva
In addition to the guidelines, candidate should pay attention to current issues, facing the physician in the UK or abroad. Such topics that came up in the viva in the past including:
- Ebola infection
- Swine flu infection
- Francis report
- Duty of candour
Checklist of topic will help studyin for the management viva. This checklist is not exhoustve and can new topic can be add to it
- Handling the media in ED
- Medicolegal issues in the ED
- Manpower issues
- Doctors in difficulty
- Clinical governance
- Reporting serious incidence/ RIDDOR
- Consent
- Gillick competency
- GSW and knife injury
- Coroner
- Pornography at workplace
- Confidentiality
- Mental capacity act
- Dealing with police in the ED
- Handling a complaint
- SIRI
- Risk management
- NCAS
- MHA 2007
- Data protection act
- Motorist/ DVLA
- Whistle blower act
- Francis law
- Never ever events
- Disciplinary action
- SWOT/ PEST analysis
- EWTD
- Freedom of information act
- Child protection issue
- Illegal drugs in ED
- Duty of candour
- KPI
- Conflict resolution
Resources for the management viva
I am sure there are many books and online resources available to prepare for the management viva. I used the folllowing resources
- Baxter C, Brennan M, Coldicott Y. The Practical Guide to Medical Ethics & Law. PasTest, cheshire 2002
- Montague Alan. Legal problems in Emergency Medicine. Oxford . New York 1996
- Online resources http://fcemprep.co.uk
- MPS case study
- FCEM preparation http://fcemprep.blogspot.ie/2014/09/the-fcem-management-viva-basics.html
Courses for the preparation for FRCEM management viva
iI you have plenty of time (and cash), I would suggest candidate to attend one of the courses listed. Plnety of practices is require to guarantee a pass at first attempt.
Courese available
- Manchester Emergency medicine http://www.manchesterem.co.uk
- London FCEM course http://www.londonfcem.co.uk/index.html
- Yorskshire FRCEM revision course http://www.yorkshiremedicaleducation.co.uk
- Newcastle FCEM http://www.newcastlefcem.com/management-viva/
- West midlands FCEM course http://www.birminghamfcemcourse.info
Edited by Dr. T Hassan