In brief, these are:
In recent years, attendance has been restricted to those registrars intending to sit the July Primary exam. Because of the change of venue we have increased flexibility to accept more attendees.
Some accommodation information is available here. Now that the venue is decided, we will investigate further and provide more options later.
Each day of the course has a standard format of 4 sessions separated by morning tea, lunch & afternoon tea. The session times are:
0800 to 0950 | Session 1 |
0950 to 1010 | Morning tea/coffee break |
1010 to 1200 | Session 2 |
1200 to 1300 | Lunch Break |
1300 to 1450 | Session 3 |
1450 to 1510 | Afternoon tea/coffee break |
1510 to 1700 | Session 4 |
Refeshments are provided for the morning & afternoon breaks and these are included in the course budget. For lunch, most registrars go to local cafes to eat, drink, talk & ?study.
As a general guide, the program for the 2006 course can still be checked on-line. The program generally changes a little each year. Most changes are due to different dates/times of lecturer availability.
Within the course program are various exam related sessions, in particular:
These sessions are designed to be useful not just from the exam familiarisation point of view but for their educational value as well. Experience shows that these are very popular and well received sessions. For the last few years we have also had a question and answer session from an experienced Primary examiner and this has allowed a frank and open exchange of ideas.
All of the presenters are clinical Anaesthetists and/or Intensivists. These are all colleagues who have sat the Primary exam themselves so they know what it is all about. They are selected based on their knowledge, interest and enthusiasm for teaching. We have found that most non-Anaesthetists, such as Physicians for example, find it difficult to pitch their topic at the correct level for Primary Anaesthetic candidates and tend to concentrate on pathology or other areas more related to what they do in their practice.
Yes, but as the 2007 course will be at a new venue, the course will not be as restricted as previous year. Registrations are accepted on a first come, first served basis based on the date when we receive payment. When the course is full then no further registrations are accepted except to replace late withdrawals.
Because this is a Queensland-based course, the Queensland Regional Committee of the College requires that we keep a certain number of positions reserved for registrars working in Queensland. In general though, this still leaves plenty of positions for applicants from interstate and overseas. We usually have registrars attending from many centres including Western Australia, New Zealand, Tasmania, Singapore and Hong Kong.
When the course is definitely full we will place a notice on the site and disable the registration page for the course. However, each year there are several late withdrawals for various reasons (eg family illness, unable to get leave) so we do maintain a Waiting List once the course is full and several people will be offered a late place on the course.
On registration on the first day of the course, all those attending receive their satchels which contain the course booklets and various useful stationary items. The cost is included within the course fee.
The aim is to collect as many of the handouts from the various presenters prior to the course and have these collated and printed up in several booklets.
Not all the presenters make the printing deadline, so there are usually some additional materials handed out at some of the talks - we provide you with an insert folder to keep these organised.
Because of demand, extra sets of these booklets are sometimes printed and sold to those that request them - until they are sold out. The price is set to recover printing costs (and postage costs if applicable).
Yes. The verbal & written feedback we have received over the past few years has been very positive. We have incorporated several of the suggestions we have received in the written course evaluations. Many registrars have attended the course over past years so seek them out and ask them about the course. This will give you some independent assessment.
Registering interest is not necessary. Registration is done on-line (on this site) and the registration form is activated in January (date to be confirmed). Details will be posted on the Bulletin Board when available.
Best wishes & I look forward to meeting you at the Course.
Kerry Brandis
Convenor, Queensland ANZCA Primary Short Course.