What does the Diploma
involve?
© James Austin 2002
Last updated 28 April 2011
There are two components to the Diploma:
- Module 1 consists of a Dissertation, and a 45 minute viva
on your dissertation. The Dissertation is a paper of 4000 - 6000 words,
consisting of either a critical review of an intensive-care topic, or
of original research relating to intensive care. The majority of
candidates so far have done 'review' dissertations, but a few have
presented extracts from prior research work. The topic for the
dissertation needs to be approved in advance (deadline about five
months ahead of the exam) by the FICM. The deadline for the
dissertation itself is about two months ahead of the exam. If the
dissertation is not up to scratch the FICM can refuse to invite you
to the exam (but they only refund half your entrance fee!). Candidates
with previous research theses (e.g. MD or PhD) can apply to the
FICM for exemption from the dissertation component (including the
viva!).
- Module 2 consists of the Educational Training Record (ETR), and four more vivas. The ETR consists of a
summary of your training placements, outlining roughly
the range of clinical cases and practical skills covered;
and ten case reports of 750 - 1500 words each. These
should be cases that taught you something interesting
about ICU Medicine. They have to be formatted to a set
structure: Clinical problem; Management; Discussion of the case and
relevant literature; Lessons learnt; and References (minimum 4, maximum 10). The four Module 2 vivas are:
- A 30-minute viva covering your ETR case reports
- A 30-minute viva covering clinical scenarios and data interpretation (15
minutes long case, 3 x 5 minutes short cases - plus 10 minutes preview)
- Two 30-minute vivas on general ICU topics
You must pass the dissertation viva, and at least two of the
other three sections, to pass the entire exam. If you pass one Module
but fail the other, in subsequent sittings you only have to re-sit the
Module you failed.
All this and more are to be found in the official DICM Regulations - or, in summary form, in the DICM Calendar - on the FICM website.