Blog

Resy from Australia wrote 04-18-2013 11:43:36 am
Hi,

Just like Todd, but from a candidate's point of view, I was very happy with the content of the Wellington Course, as well as the quality of the pleasant and friendly faculty. I think this is a very good course, for people in any phase of exam preparation.
If you are at the beginning of your prep journey, this course will give you a good idea of what to expect and it also gives you a bit of a guide HOW to study (very useful lecture of a psychologist regarding exam technique) and WHAT to focus on (eg lecture with brief review of important bits of literature you need to know).
If you are close to the exam, this course is helpful, specifically stream A, where you get exposed to hot cases/vivas out of your own comfort zone (hot cases in different location/exposure to different consultants).

The Adelaide Course is a course that is - in my opinion - only really useful if you are a little bit further on the preparation pathway. Everybody gets to do hot cases and a full set of vivas (and everybody gets a chance to observe as well). It gives you a good perspective of how "ready" you are to sit.
If you haven't started studying, you will still get an idea of exam technique, and you get advice of HOW to approach vivas/hot cases, but some of the consultants can be a little bit intimidating and it might give you an unhappy feeling if you haven't really started studying.
The Adelaide Course has got an interactive lecture from a Paeds ICU consultant which is set up by discussing several paeds vivas. This is a really good lecture. Also, small group interactive discussion about data interpretation (Xray, biochem, ECG, blood gases) is really useful and the topocs discussed are likely things that will come up in at least one part of the exam.

Good luck to everybody sitting the exam in the next few months/years!
Warm regards,
Resy

Todd Fraser from Australia wrote 04-18-2013 05:48:17 pm
Thanks Resy, great information.

I agree with the comments on the Adelaide Course, at least 10 years ago when I did it! It was a terrifying course, but was brilliant preparation, as if you managed to get through it unscathed, the real thing seemed (relatively) easy.

I also did the Brisbane Course which was run by Bala Venkatesh - that also seemed better for those approaching the exam, while the Canberra Course run by Bronwyn Avard was a good one for those early on in the process.

However, its been a few years since I did either of these and it might have changed.

Ziad from australia wrote 05-03-2013 11:34:11 pm
i was at the same course in NZ ,a great one ,i think if you are 12-18 months away from your exam you should do stream B in the wellington course ,priceless

Drrky2k1 from Australia wrote 08-15-2013 02:01:27 pm
Hi,

I did my exam in 2011 and would like tell my experience. ICU syllabus is very exhaustive and one can find it very difficult to set limits. I think the important aspect of these courses is that they enabled me to define boundaries and helped me concentrate on important issues and prioritize reading. Also it is an opportunity to interact with colleagues who are at different stages of preparation and gain some confidence, reassurance and motivation since we can only compare ourselves with our peers at similar stage.

I tried to do as many courses and fortunately I got the sequence right.

1. I did the Canberra course at the begining of my preparation and got a good idea of how to progress and what exactly are the expectations during exam, they also had a psychologist giving useful tips in preparation and performance (One was especially helpful during one of my Vivas in the finals)

2. Bala's course was again during my earlier stage (and may be premature) but it gave me a confidence to go throught the grind with half preparation. I managed to get good in a couple of stations and a hot case. But it gives an idea of how to maintain cool in the most adverse conditions (When you are blank!! - statistics question). This course is very gruelling and gives maximum practice.

3. Adelaide course just a few weeks before exam - good, solid final preparation (could see improvement in my performance), very good and very close to real exam and excellent feedback.

4. Sydney equipment course, again helped in fine tuning. By this time you meet the serious contenders for the exam and have a reasonable idea of where you stand.

In my opinion, it is better to attend as many courses as possible, but with a prior committment to the exam date (Otherwise no point in attending if the intention is not to attempt the exam). All courses bring something different and give valuable experience of real scenario - facing different examiners (unknown faces) and performing in foriegn territory.

It is important to implement the techniques taught and modify your own strategy to suit yourself.

All the best for exams !!!

Ravibk123 from Australia wrote 09-08-2013 09:33:43 pm
Passed the exam in Oct 2011 (first attempt)
I did the Adelaide ICU course (2 day- all components sans hot cases) in Feb 2010. Got a good feel of the standard required.
Bala's course in the time between theory and clinical - again doing hot cases in a different hospital out of your comfort zone is important..
I feel that the most important bit is doing past papers over and over again and study around those topics and lots of hot cases in the 6 months prior to the exam. Doing hot cases a long way (eg 1and 1/2 years) prior to exam may be counter productive as you don't want to peak early.
In my opinion all that courses do, is to give a feel for the exam. Self preparation and hot case practice with college examiners over a period of months prior to the exam is the most important...
Viva is usually the easy part, atleast felt like that, the examiners smiled from time to time and the atmosphere was relaxed!

All the Best!

AdamPurdon from Australia wrote 10-09-2013 05:01:34 pm
Passed the exam in 2012 Oct (First Attempt)

Plan and organize yourself for the exam.
Remember first attempt is always your best chance of cracking it......so allow yourself to be ready for the exam.
Many courses available........
The one which I did was Bala's course just before my clinical ......worth doing it. It helps to de-stress yourself from the exam fear.
Exam is nothing other then what you routinely do, so keep doing hot cases in your own unit and if possible other units as well.
Be loud clear and confident in what you say during the exam.
Remember passing exam is not everything in life, it just one part of your life.