Primary FRCA

The Primary FRCA is more fully called the Primary Examination of the Diploma of Fellowship of the Royal College of Anaesthetists.cite web|title=Overseas Doctors Guide|url=http://www.papworth-anaesthesia.org/spr/overseas.htm|accessdate=2008-06-16]

Trainee anaesthetists in the United Kingdom are required to pass this examination before applying for Higher Specialist Training (a Specialist Registrar post) in Anaesthesia. With the introduction of MMC in August 2007, the Primary FRCA will become a requirement for application to Specialist Training Year 3, known generally as ST3.cite web|title=Primary FRCA Guide|url=http://www.frca.co.uk/Page.aspx?id=92|accessdate=2008-06-16]

Entrance Requirements

Any medically trained person registered with the GMC with at least one year of specialist RCoA training.cite web|title=Eligibility|url=http://www.rcoa.ac.uk/index.asp?PageID=46|accessdate=2008-06-16]

The cost of the MCQ element is 275 pounds with the OSCE and Viva Voce exams costing 490 pounds for both.cite web|title=Examination Fees|url=http://www.rcoa.ac.uk/docs/ExamsCalendar07-08.pdf|accessdate=2008-06-16]

Applicants are only allowed four attempts at the primary FRCA.cite web|title=Career Guide|url=http://homepages.ed.ac.uk/cmoores/career.htm|accessdate=2008-06-16]

yllabus

The Primary FRCA examination syllabus covers:
*Anatomy
*Physiology
*Clinical Anaesthesia
*Pharmacology
*Physics
*Anaesthetic Equipment
*Clinical Measurement
*Pathology
*Practical Anaesthetic Skills
*Resuscitation
*Statistics

Form of the Examination

The examination takes the form of a Multiple Choice Question paper and, for candidates successful in this, an Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) and Viva Voce (oral) examination. Successful Candidates are informed the same day, after the OSCE and Viva exams.

The examination is held three times a year, with the MCQ being held in regional centres around the UK (e.g. London, Manchester, and Glasgow) and the OSCE/Viva being held at Churchill House, the College headquarters in London. Only those candidates who clearly pass the MCQ are invited to participate in the OSCE/Viva. Those who fail the MCQ are deemed to have failed the entire examination.

Marking Scheme

Each quarter of the examination is marked as follows:
*2+: outstanding pass.
*2: clear pass.
*1+: narrow fail.
*1: clear fail.

To pass the examination overall, the minimum mark is 2,2,2,1+. In other words, candidates are allowed a narrow fail in one quarter of the examination. Two awards of 1+, regardless of the remaining marks, result in a fail.

Membership

Completion of this exam, in conjunction with at least 12 months of specialist training in the UK, leads to the award of the post-nominal letters MRCA.cite web|title=Membership Catergories|url=http://www.rcoa.ac.uk/index.asp?PageID=744|accessdate=2008-06-16]

ee also

*Final FRCA
*Royal College of Anaesthetists

References