Abstract
Further qualifications in feline medicine Since the ESFM was first founded we have recognised the need to develop further qualifications in Feline Medicine. In order to develop European qualifications which will be recognised by the appropriate governing body(ies) we have been involved in discussions with FECAVA (Federation of European Companion Animal Veterinary Associations), UEVP (Union of European Veterinary Practitioners), FVE (Federation of Veterinarians in Europe), and EBVS (European Board of Veterinary Specialists). Unfortunately, although progress is being made, it is very slow.
We have therefore developed an equally valid, but quicker, alternative route; namely, Membership (and Fellowship) of the Australian College of Veterinary Scientists (ACVSc - Feline Chapter). These well organised examinations have been running for many years, and are reciprocally accepted by some of our governing bodies, for example, the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) in the UK. In addition, the qualifications are already held by a number of Feline Medicine clinicians working within Europe. After discussion with the Chief Examiner of the ACVSc and the President of the Feline Chapterwe are pleased to announce that our members are eligible to sit for these exams.
The ACVSc is responsible for a two tier examinations process. The first level is Membership of the ACVSc (MACVSc) with endorsement in a particular subject, for example, Feline Medicine. This is targeted at general practitioners with no specialist training who wish to demonstrate their interest and proficiency in a particular area. It is equivalent to the RCVS Certificate level. The second level is Fellowship (FACVSc), again with endorsement. This is considerably more arduous, requires candidates to have completed a formal training program (‘residency’) and is aimed at a level of proficiency that meets the requirements for specialist registration. It is equivalent to an RCVS Diploma. Below is more detailed information on the format of the Membership exam.
Interested candidates should first go to the ACVSc website www.acvs.orgau and download a copy of ‘The Red Book’, which contains advice to membership candidates. (Anyone interested in Fellowship exams should go to the ACVSc website and download a copy of ‘The Blue Book’, which contains advice to fellowship candidates).
ACVSc Membership Examinations
The date of the examination and other details (including cost) will be published in the ‘pink pages’ of the JFMS and on the ESFM website. Currently, examinations are held every 2nd year. Further information for candidates will also be posted on the ACVSc website, and candidates are encouraged to read further about what the ACVSc does and offers. Lists of possible mentors will also be available.
Once known, we will list the names of the examiners, and where possible, it is hoped that one of the panel of three or four will be from Europe.
The written examinations can be held in a central location in Europe, or perhaps in a small number of different countries, depending on demand.
Written examinations consist of two papers, usually each of two hours duration. The first paper concentrates on preclinical subjects (physiology, pharmacology, pathophysiology, principles of disease etc), while the 2nd is clinically focussed. Examinations usually involve a variety of styles, including long essay answers, short paragraph answers, and some true/false and multiple-choice questions. Detailed information on the process and content of the examinations is available in ‘The Red Book’ (see above for details).
Candidates will then need to fly to the Gold Coast, Australia, for the oral/practical examination. This is a viva style examination of 30 minutes duration, with clinical case scenarios, radiographic and ultrasound images etc. Please note: Candidates must sit the oral/practical regardless of how well or poorly they have performed in the written; no results will be given out until after the oral. Details on assessment and what constitutes a pass or fail can be found in ‘The Red Book’. All candidates will automatically be eligible to attend College Science Week - a 3- day continuing education conference with emphasis on new information. This is a well-attended meeting, which usually has an invited overseas speaker, and at least two to three concurrent streams of interest to candidates (e.g. feline medicine, anaesthesia and critical care, small animal medicine, etc.). The destination is easy to get to, has a range of accommodation (including affordable hotels and even back packer style lodging), and has a lot to offer as a destination for a vacation. The easiest way to get there from overseas is to fly to Brisbane, then train or bus to the coast, or to fly to Sydney and then either to Coolangatta or Brisbane.
With time, and if there are sufficient numbers of candidates, it may be possible to arrange a separate oral/practical exam in Europe. If this becomes possible, an Australian examiner could fly to join a European examiner (eg, Andy Sparkes, Danièlle Gunn-Moore, Sarah Caney, Sevérine Tasker, Martha Cannon, etc. - ie, someone with a RCVS Diploma in Feline Medicine, recognition as a RCVS Specialist in Feline Medicine, FACVSc (Feline Medicine), or hold other similar qualifications.