Pain medicine exams
Trainees are required to complete two long-case assessments and the fellowship exam during the pain medicine training program.
Past examination reports can be found in Networks under the Fellowship examination folder located in the FPM Trainee Support Resources. Trainees will need to log into their Networks account to access these resources. The 2019 examination report will be available closer to the end of 2020.
Long-case assessments
Trainees must pass one local and one external long-case assessment during the training program. To be eligible to sit the external long case assessment, trainees must:
- Complete one satisfactory in-training assessment (ITA).
- Pass the general physical examination (GPE) assessment.
- Pass the local long-case assessment.
Units must comply with local COVID-19 guidance when running the long case.
Local long-case assessment
The local long-case assessment is held in the training unit and assessed by two FPM fellows. The assessors do not necessarily need to work at the unit or know the trainee but at least one of the fellows must have previously assessed a long case. The patient should be known to one of the assessors but not the trainee and must be invited as opposed to being a waiting list patient.
We've prepared guidance notes and a marking form to support units in the delivery of the local long case assessment. After completing the local long case, trainees must submit the marking form to us with the subsequent in-training assessment.
Local long case guidance notes
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Local long case marking criteria
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External long-case assessment
We hold external long-case assessments in major centres in Australia and New Zealand. The 2020 sitting has now concluded. 2021 sittings will be announced next year.
FPM fellowship exam
Trainees need to pass the fellowship exam to complete the pain medicine training program.
Eligibility criteria
To be eligible to sit the fellowship exam, trainees must:
- Have completed two satisfactory in-training assessments (ITAs) by the examination closing date.
- Submit an application and pay the examination fee by the closing date.
Format
The fellowship examination comprises a written and oral examination. Candidates who are successful at the written are invited to the oral examinations.
2020 FPM fellowship exam dates and locations
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Section
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Format
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Duration
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Location
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Date of next exam
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Written section
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10 short-answer questions
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2.5 hours
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ANZCA/FPM regional offices
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26 November 2020
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Oral section
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4 observed structural clinical examinations (OSCE) stations
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10 minutes each
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Via videoconference
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13-14 February 2021
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4 viva stations
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15 minutes each
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Written exam venues
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Australia: Adelaide, Brisbane, Canberra, Hobart, Melbourne, Perth, Sydney and Townsville
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Other regions: Singapore and Hong Kong
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New Zealand: Auckland, Christchurch and Wellington
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SOV/OSCE guidelines
Guidance for the structured oral viva voce (SOV) and observed structural clinical examinations (OSCE) for candidates and supervisors of training.
Conditions of entry for FPM exams
Important information for all candidates participating in FPM exams, including our conditions of application and entry.
Find out more