Introduction

The following is an excerpt from the website.

In November 2001, the Councils of Royal Australian College of Physicians (RACP) and Australian and New Zealand College of Anaesthetists (ANZCA) agreed to form the Joint Faculty of Intensive Care Medicine, responsible for all intensive care training and certification in Australia and New Zealand. In February 2002, the Foundation Fellowship was established, comprising 420 Fellows.

Medical Practitioners completing the Joint Faculty's six-year program of training and examinations are awarded Fellowship of the Joint Faculty of Intensive Care Medicine, Australian and New Zealand College of Anaesthetists and Royal Australasian College of Physicians (FJFICM).

Governance Structure of the College & Trainee Representation

The Joint Faculty is governed by a Board and a number of Sub-Committees. It also reports to the Councils of the Australian and New Zealand College of Anaesthetists and Royal Australasian College of Physicians.

There is provision for a New Fellow representative on the Board, who represents both trainees and newly admitted Fellows. There is a Trainee Committee with representatives on each of the Regional or National Committees, and on the Education Committee.

Training

The total training time on a full time basis is six years. The training is structured into two parts, basic training (three years) and advanced training (three years) during each of which an exam has to be passed.

Rotations

Rotations are not part of the formalised Faculty program, however flexibility exists to move between hospitals and regions and most trainees move at least within their region and often interstate to gain a wide range of experience. Guidance is provided by the Supervisor of Training in relation to selection of positions however there is sufficient flexibility for the trainee to control each year of their training.

Training in rural areas is encouraged however there is no mandatory requirement for a rural rotation. Basic training requirements have been broadened to facilitate rural posts and hospitals are encouraged to form them.

Recognition of Prior Learning

The Faculty has a formalised arrangement for recognition of training undertaken with ANZCA, RACP, ACEM and RACS. Up to three years of basic training may be retrospectively accredited, depending upon individual application.

Flexibility in Training

Several pathways exist for trainees to undertake dual certification concurrently with anaesthesia, physician, emergency medicine or surgical training. Most trainees complete a proportion of their primary specialty before commencing intensive care training, whereupon up to three years of basic training may be retrospectively approved.

Part-time training is allowed with a minimum of 20% commitment and if completed in a full-time equivalent timeframe.

Interrupted training is allowed.

Assessment

Primary Exam
Supervisors of Training are required to conduct assessments of trainees every six months, using In-Training Assessment Forms. Trainees are required to sit the primary exam in Intensive care (or an accepted Primary). The primary exam in Intensive Care Medicine was first established in 2007. Candidates can sit this exam any time during their basic training (must have completed 12 months General Hospital Experience and be registered trainees). Trainees are also required to sit the Fellowship exam which consists of written and oral components including viva, OSCE and clinical examinations.

Costs

Contact details

The Joint Faculty is a Faculty of both the Australian and New Zealand College of Anaesthetists and the Royal Australasian College of Physicians.

Address:
630 St Kilda Road
Melbourne Vic 3004

Phone: (03) 9530 2861
Fax: (03) 9530 2862
Email: jficm@anzca.edu.au
Website: www.jficm.anzca.edu.au/index.htm