The Australian FJFICM
© James Austin 2007
The FJFICM (Fellowship of the Joint Faculty of Intensive Care Medicine) is clearly a very different exam to the UK DICM. The FJFICM, with its written, clinical, data-interpretation and viva components, is a more comprehensive exam, with a firm focus on producing good clinicans; the DICM, consisting of dissertation, case reports and vivas, had a much more academic flavour to it (though I gather this has been watered down a little since I sat it). I feel that both of them have made me a better intensivist, though in different ways. And like climbing Everest, I’m glad to have done them, but also glad that I’ll never have to do them again!
Although it only started a year earlier, the FJFICM is also somewhat better established than the DICM, with over 300 successful FJFICM candidates in 22 sittings compared to 84 diplomates in 11 sittings of the DICM. This means that Australasian candidates will almost certainly have consultants or colleagues who have sat the exam to advise them. Nevertheless, for those who are wondering what it's like, here are some useful facts and thoughts on sitting the FJFICM:
What do I have do to to sit the FJFICM?
What are my chances of passing?
Preparation: General suggestions
Preparation: Some useful books
The Big Day: the October 2007 experience
If you have any ideas for improving this site, particularly things you think future candidates should know, I'd love to hear from you. Please email comments, complaints, compliments or queries to austin@dicm.co.uk.