Pre-Hospital and Retrieval Medicine Written Examination
The Pre-Hospital and Retrieval Medicine Written Examination comprises sixty multiple-choice questions (MCQs) and five short-answer questions (SAQs). The examination is conducted online, under the supervision of an approved invigilator, at a candidate’s Pre-Hospital and Retrieval Medicine training site. If a candidate cannot undertake the Written Examination at their Pre-Hospital and Retrieval Medicine training site, it is the responsibility of the candidate to contact the ACEM Pre-Hospital and Retrieval Medicine Training Team to discuss alternative arrangements.
Pre-Hospital and Retrieval Medicine Written Exam Dates 2024:
Please click on the date above to register using the online form.
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Key details
Duration: 2 hours
Number of questions: 60 MCQs and 5 SAQs
Maximum number of attempts: 3
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Eligibility
For the purposes of Regulation F, candidates for the Pre-Hospital and Retrieval Medicine Written Examination must:
- have commenced a PHRM placement at a site that has full Pre-Hospital and Retrieval Medicine training accreditation.
or
- if seeking to complete the requirements through a combination of placements at sites accredited for the pre-hospital component of Pre-Hospital and Retrieval Medicine training and/or the retrieval component of Pre-Hospital and Retrieval Medicine training a full and/or full Pre-Hospital and Retrieval Medicine training accreditation, have completed one three (3) FTE month placement and commenced their remaining placement.
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Examination location
The Pre-Hospital and Retrieval Medicine Written Examination is held online, under the supervision of an approved invigilator, at a candidate’s Pre-Hospital and Retrieval Medicine training site. If a candidate cannot undertake the Written Examination at their Pre-Hospital and Retrieval Medicine training site, it is the responsibility of the candidate to contact the ACEM PHRM Team, via email, at the time of examination registration to discuss alternative arrangements.
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Payment information
Candidates are NOT required to submit payment for the exam fee at the time of application.
Once applications have been processed (after the closing date), eligible candidates will be invoiced by email and instructed to complete an online payment. Candidates who fail to pay by the due date will forfeit their place, however, are still liable to pay the exam fee.
The fee for examinations can be found here.
Any questions regarding the application process should be emailed to [email protected].
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Withdrawals
All withdrawals must be submitted using the Pre-Hospital and Retrieval Medicine Examination Withdrawal Form.
- Before the closing date – candidates may withdraw their application and will not be charged any fees.
- After the closing date – candidates may withdraw from the exam, but are still liable for the full examination fee, unless there are exceptional circumstances. In that case, candidates may apply for consideration under the Exceptional Circumstances and Special Consideration Policy. Please contact the PHRM Training Team for more information about this option.
*NOTE: Withdrawal from the examination at any time prior to the sitting will not count towards the maximum number of attempts.
Pre-Hospital and Retrieval Medicine Practical Examination (OSPE)
The Pre-Hospital and Retrieval Medicine OSPE, to be conducted on Saturday 30 November and Sunday 1 December 2024, is a face-to-face examination comprising stations through which candidates move in a timed fashion. This examination will not be conducted in an online format – all candidates and examiners will be participating face-to-face, and stations will be interactive in nature.
Candidates sitting the OSPE will only be required to attend one day of the examination. Exam schedules will be released after the application closing date, including the time that candidate will be required to attend the examination centre.
Eligible Pre-Hospital and Retrieval Medicine Trainees will be notified when applications opens.
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What to expect
- The examination will include 8 single 10-minute stations. There are no double stations.
- The examination will test knowledge, application of knowledge and communication.
- Examination stations may include clinical scenarios, communication scenarios, descriptions and/or simulations of management of critically ill or injured patients.
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Eligibility
For the purposes of Pre-Hospital and Retrieval Medicine Regulation F, candidates for the Pre-Hospital and Retrieval Medicine OSPE must have successfully passed the Pre-Hospital and Retrieval Medicine Written Examination in order to be eligible to sit the Pre-Hospital and Retrieval Medicine OSPE.
Candidates who are awaiting the result of their 2024.2 Pre-Hospital and Retrieval Medicine Written Examination may apply for the Pre-Hospital and Retrieval Medicine OSPE. Their eligibility will be verified once the written examination results are confirmed. The invoices for the Pre-Hospital and Retrieval Medicine OSPE will only be issued following verification of eligibility.
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Acknowledgement
Please ensure you carefully read the following documents and action any corresponding tasks. You will be asked to confirm the completion of these tasks in the ‘Acknowledgement’ section of the application form, prior to submitting.
- The OSPE Terms of Candidature
- The OSPE Candidate Guidelines
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Application process
Applications to sit the Pre-Hospital and Retrieval Medicine OSPE must via submitting the completed online form.
Prior to applying, all candidates should review the Pre-Hospital and Retrieval Medicine Examinations Terms of Candidature.
Candidates should also ensure they have read and understood the Preparing for the OSPE and Subtheme Criteria prior to submitting their application.
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Payment information
Candidates are NOT required to submit payment for the exam fee at the time of application.
Once applications have been processed, eligible candidates will be invoiced within two weeks of the application closing date via email and instructed to complete an online payment. Candidates who fail to pay by the due date will forfeit their place and are liable to pay the exam fee.
Questions regarding the application process may be emailed to [email protected].
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Withdrawals
All withdrawals must be submitted using the required PHRM Examination Withdrawal Form.
- Before the closing date: candidates may withdraw their application and will not be charged any fees.
- After the closing date – candidates may withdraw from the exam, but are still liable for the full examination fee, unless there are exceptional circumstances. In that case, candidates may apply for consideration under the Exceptional Circumstances and Special Consideration Policy. Please contact the PHRM Training Team for more information about this option.
*NOTE: Withdrawal from the examination at any time prior to the sitting will not count towards the maximum number of attempts.
How to prepare for the Pre-Hospital and Retrieval Medicine Examinations
Resources to support Pre-Hospital and Retrieval Medicine trainees in preparing for their examinations are found here, and include important information and sample written examination questions. In order to prepare appropriately for the exams, Pre-Hospital and Retrieval Medicine trainees should:
- Identify your specific learning needs and discuss them with your Training Supervisor and other consultants with whom you’ve worked who can provide informed advice on your exam preparation.
- Actively participate in all education opportunities provided by your accredited training site to address these needs.
- Identify other learning opportunities, through the support of your Training Supervisor and others with whom you work, that may address your learning needs.
- Complete all WBAs to ensure that you are receiving constructive feedback and support from your colleagues and supervisors regarding your performance against the learning outcomes in the Pre-Hospital and Retrieval Medicine curriculum.
- Familiarise yourself with all matters pertaining to the Pre-Hospital and Retrieval Medicine examinations. Relevant resources can be found on the PHRM Training Program Resources elearning site, including sample written examination questions.