The viva practices with consultants and other trainees that have finished the exams are an important aspect in knowing your strengths and weakness.
I’m an SIMG from Malaysia who arrived to Melbourne in early 2024 and recently passed the ANZCA Final Examinations (viva component) on my first attempt. After completing my training in 2019, I started working in Borneo as an anaesthesia specialist before deciding to challenge my comfort zone by applying to work in Australia under the ANZCA SIMG pathway. I was assessed by ANZCA and deemed partially comparable and soon after the interview, I was offered a job at Austin Health in Melbourne.
Within the first three months of working, I decided to focus on adapting to the system before starting to prepare for exams. Adapting to a new healthcare system, different patient demographics, working hours and finding a work-life balance took me almost a year before I started studying. I used to think that the main gist of anaesthesia is the same in most countries and it is indeed similar from certain angles yet so different from another angle, which is a humbling experience.
The challenging cases that I did at Austin Health, were monumental in helping me jumpstart the preparation for the final viva. Apart from the courses organized by ANZCA such as EMAC and the Final Refresher Course, I also enrolled in other online courses such as I-Excel SIMG and the Viva Boot-Camp sessions to help with preparation.
Despite just needing to do the viva, I prepared like I was sitting for the written component as well, to refresh the knowledge gap. The viva practices with consultants and other trainees that have finished the exams are an important aspect in knowing your strengths and weakness. It also important to do viva practices not just with other SIMGs but local trainees as well to understand the culture and expectations of the exams.
The whole process of starting all over again in terms of revision and studying can be daunting, especially for SIMGs, so it is very important to choose your battles wisely and surround yourself with peers who are encouraging. I did feel overwhelmed when I started preparing for the exams but the support and encouragement I received at work were crucial in boosting my confidence and helping me pass the exams. Grateful!