Pain medicine exams

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.

Guidance notes and a marking form have been prepared to support units in the delivery of the local long case assessment. Units will need to comply with local COVID-19 advice in delivering long cases.
 
The marking form must be submitted with the subsequent in-training assessment to the faculty.
 
Once a trainee has passed a local long case they can sit the external long case assessment.  If they are then unsuccessful at the externally run long case assessment, they must re-sit the local long case assessment and achieve a pass before they can repeat the external long case assessment.

External long case assessments are usually held in major cities across Australia and in New Zealand twice a year, and once a year in Hong Kong and Singapore.
 

Trainees need to meet the eligibility criteria and submit their application by the relevant application closing date, which varies for each region in view of the scheduling of these assessments. 

These assessments are limited to trainees who live in the region. In regions where the external long cases are not delivered, trainees are encouraged to contact the faculty prior to applying. 

Candidates sitting the external long case assessments are advised that they will need to complete a rapid antigen test (RAT), if experiencing flu-like symptoms on the day of the assessment. 

To be eligible to sit the external long case assessment, the following criteria must be met by the application closing date:

• Completion of at least one satisfactory ITA
• Completion of the general physical examination assessment and 
• Successful completion of a local long case.

If unsuccessful at the external long case assessment, a trainee must complete an additional local long case assessment prior to re-sitting the external long case. 

The learning outcomes in the pain medicine training program curriculum guide the range of content which may be assessed. Competencies relevant to the knowledge, behaviours and clinical skills are found in sections one to three of the FPM curriculum.

Candidates are expected to demonstrate an understanding of what treatments/therapies are available and may be undertaken when referring a patient to other pain management specialists.

To be eligible to sit the fellowship exam, trainees must:

• Complete two satisfactory in-training assessments (ITAs) by the application closing date.
• Submit the application form with payment of the examination fee by the closing date

The faculty may need to alter the exam due to unforeseen circumstances related to COVID-19. If this occurs, the faculty will advise all prospective candidates accordingly. 

The oral examination will be held face-to-face in Melbourne and in the event of changing circumstances, aspects of the examination may need to be altered.  If this occurs, the faculty will notify all candidates of the arrangements. 
 

Candidates wishing to withdraw their application on medical or compassionate grounds must inform the faculty in writing before the date of the exam. 

On the day of the exam, if a candidate is unable to present for the exam on medical or compassionate grounds, the candidate must submit a written notice and provide evidence of cause within seven days of the exam.

No special consideration will be given to a candidate who elects against advice to continue with the exam.