Blogs > Postgraduate Qualifications

Overview of FRCEM Intermediate: SAQ

• October 14, 2020

The Royal College of Emergency Medicine offers a series of examinations which can lead to either a Fellowship or a Membership of the Royal College of Emergency Medicine (FRCEM).  In today’s post, we are going to explore FRCEM Intermediate SAQ. This post will provide you with the requirements to sit the exam, its format, curriculum tested, tips on how to successfully pass and links to some excellent revision resources.

How to achieve MRCEM:

• FRCEM Primary
• FRCEM Intermediate: SAQ
• MRCEM Final: OSCE

How to achieve FRCEM:

• FRCEM Primary
• FRCEM Intermediate: SAQ and Situational Judgement
• FRCEM Final: Critical Appraisal, Quality Improvement Project, Clinical Short Answer

Cost of FRCEM Intermediate SAQ: £305 (UK test centres) or £385 for overseas test centres (Iceland, Malaysia or Oman)

FRCEM Intermediate SAQ Format

FRCEM Intermediate Short Answer Question (SAQ) Paper comprising of a 3 hour paper of 60, 3 mark questions

Requirements to sit FRCEM Intermediate SAQ

You will be eligible to sit FRCEM Intermediate SAQ provided you have met the below requirements:

• Hold a medical qualification approved by the GMC for the purposes of registration
• Completed the UK Foundation Programme or equivalent (electronic evidence will be needed at the point of application)
• Have passed the MRCEM Part A examination OR the FRCEM Primary

FRCEM Intermediate SAQ Curriculum

Common Competences

            Clinical examination, therapeutics and safe prescribing, decision making and clinical reasoning, prioritization of patient safety in clinical practice, infection control, managing long-term conditions and promoting patient self-care, health promotion and public health, principles of medical ethics and confidentiality, the legal framework for practice, evidence and guidelines

Clinical Presentations

            Anaphylaxis, cardio-respiratory arrest, major trauma, septic patient, shocked patient, unconscious patient, abdominal pain, acute back pain, aggressive/disturbed behaviour, blackout/collapse, breathlessness, chest pain, confusion, cough, cyanosis, , dizziness/vertigo, falls, fever, fits, haematemesis, headache, head injury, jaundice, limb pain, neck pain, patient, pain management, painful ear, poisoning, rash, red eye, mental health, wound assessment.

Anaesthetic Competences (CT1&2)

              Premedical, induction of general , postoperative and recovery room care, management of respiratory and cardiac arrest, control of infection, introduction for emergency surgery, airway management, procedural sedation, transfer medicine, critical incidence

Acute Presentations

            Major trauma – chest injuries, abdominal trauma, spine, maxillofacial, burns, traumatic limb and joint injuries, testicular pain, urinary retention

Practical Procedures

            Arterial , peripheral venous cannulation, central venous cannulation, arterial blood gas sampling, lumbar puncture, tap, airway protection, basic and advanced life support, knee aspiration, temporary pacing, reduction of dislocation/fracture, large joint examination, wound management, trauma primary survey, initial assessment of the acutely unwell.

Please note, this list is not exhaustive and other areas of Emergency medicine will be tested including Paediatric Emergency Medicine. Please click here for a full list.

---

BDI Resourcing’s Top Tips approaching MRCEM

1. Use a wide range of media to support your learning. This can include books, YouTube videos, podcasts, journals, news articles.

2. Do as many practice papers as possible. This will give you a true indication of gaps in your knowledge.

3. Attend courses! By doing so you will gain invaluable knowledge and skills that will fully equip you to successfully pass your exam.

---

Useful Revision Resources

Books

FRCEM Intermediate SAQ Revision Notes – Ashis Banerjee

FRCEM Intermediate: Short Answer Question – Moussa Issa

Online

Clinical Cases – RCEM Learning

Online Webinars – Bromley Emergency Courses

Revision Course – FRCEM Success

Courses

Bromley, UK FRCEM Intermediate – Bromley Emergency Courses

Practice Questions

FRCEM Success

Royal College of Emergency Medicine Practice Questions

References

Rcem.ac.uk. (2019). Regulations & Info Packs. ] Available at: https://www.rcem.ac.uk/RCEM/Exams_Training/Exams/Regulations_Info_Packs/RCEM/Exams_Training/Exams/Regulations_Info_Packs.aspx?hkey=bf869f0e-de0b-4464-b82b-77bdece214aa 

. (2019). FRCEM Tips - RCEMLearning. ] Available at: https://www.rcemlearning.co.uk/foamed/frcem-tips/ 

Support Securing an NHS Post

If you are an international doctor who needs support securing your first NHS post, including English Language exemption, please email your CV to [email protected] and we can help you.

Are you a member of IMG Advisor?

By joining our Facebook Group, you will have access to frequent relocation blog posts, the opportunity to ask questions and receive professional support and the chance to meet other IMGs.