The Canniesburn Intensive Pre-Fellowship Course
 

Course Director: Arup K. Ray

The course is not designed as a crammer/crash course for the Inter-Collegiate Specialty Fellowship exam. Since the inception of this Course in 1993, it has been our experience that participants have

1. different strengths and weaknesses
2. doubts or uncertainties, especially in the sub-specialty areas of practice in plastic surgery
3. anxieties and a lack of understanding about the standards expected of them in an examination setting
4. a lack of opportunities to compare their own knowledge and performance with their peers
5. a lack of experience in the development of an organised and methodical approach in a clinical setting and clarity of thought in a viva setting

In the limited time available, the main objectives of the Course therefore are aimed at addressing the first 4 points.

Addressing the 5th point is really not feasible from ‘ground zero’ and it is highly inadvisable to use the Course as a kick starting point to commence clinical and viva practice for the exams. To gain maximum advantage from the course, participants are strongly advised to engage regularly in the process of clinical history taking, examination, the formulation of treatment plans and defending or justifying the diagnoses and proposed treatment plans in their own Units.

They should also seek regular mock viva sessions with their Consultants.

The clinical and viva sessions that are part of the Course programme are designed mainly for the purposes of providing participants with a valuable opportunity to witness their peers and understand how individuals perform under pressure and also evaluate their own performance relative to their peers. The practice opportunities provided during the Course cannot supplant regular training in the limited time available.

The timing of the course is deliberately set at around 6 weeks prior to the Clinical exam as it is designed primarily for candidates who:

a)  have passed the Part I or MCQ section of the exam and therefore have a foundation of a sound knowledge base
b)  commenced regular practice sessions in clinical viva scenarios
c)  are seeking clarification of areas of uncertainty in their own knowledge and/or experience
d)  wish to evaluate their own performance in a ‘match ready’ state and gain insight and experience by observation and feedback and improve their own confidence and capabilities.

The clinical opinions and the teaching provided by the Course faculty are always subject to individual bias and experience (as are the opinions and/or experience of Examiners). Participants must exercise their own discretion and judgement, and verify any information or opinion provided by the Course faculty in the context of current knowledge, as would be expected of anyone at the level of a “Day One Consultant”. Attributing any opinion or information to the Course during the Examinations is unlikely to be accepted in mitigation if the Examiners disagree. In the real world, controversy is an integral part of knowledge. The Course cannot therefore take responsibility for the educational content of the formal lectures, symposia, clinical sessions, mock examinations or the guidance, recommendations and evaluations of participants provided by the individuals on the faculty during the clinical sessions and vivas. Current Examiners are not permitted, for obvious reasons, to evaluate or assess the performance of participants in courses such as these and undertake not to examine a candidate in the examinations if there is any risk of bias.

Mr A K Ray,
Consultant Plastic Surgeon
 

Course Fee £1000

Accommodation is not included in the course fee but can be arranged if required.

A non-refundable deposit of £100 is requested to secure a place.

Cheque payable to 'Canniesburn Research Trust'

If a candidate subsequently withdraws, it may be possible to carry forward their place, to a future course.
 

» Download / Print Application Form
 

Please forward to:

Mrs Dorothy Stobie
Research Secretary
Canniesburn Plastic Surgery Unit
Jubilee Building, Royal Infirmary,
84 Castle Street, Glasgow G4 0SF