Thread by @Medic_Russell

🚨🚨🚨The latest competition ratio for #EmergencyMedicine is huge and increased from previous years. As it’s application season again and I’m invested in seeing so excellent people join my specialty here’s a thread in my tips for applying ☺️

1️⃣ Here’s your recruitment timeline for this year -

Be aware of the dates - you’ll have to have evidence for any points you’ve assigned yourself in the application phase by the time of the interviews, so realistically by January. You’ve also only got 4 weeks to apply!

2️⃣ Person specifications -

Here’s the list of essential and desirable criteria. I picked 10-15 of them and wrote a few sentences about how I fitted them to - I found this useful for interview later on.

ACCS EM ST1 Person Spec: specialtytraining.hee.nhs.uk/portals/1/Cont…

3️⃣ Self assessment -

Points are allocated for specific achievements etc. the application form for 2023 looks the same as 2022s (linked below). I’m gonna pick out some strong point winners you could achieve before interview…

2022 Self Assessment: nimdta.gov.uk/wp-content/upl…

ATLS + APLS gets you 3 points, one of them gets you 2. Have a look for spaces on courses (you’ll need them for your training portfolio in EM anyway but check access to study budgets!)

Presentation of research locally is 1 point. Have you done a project you could presented?

Tutoring a med student group or leading/designing local teaching gets you 2 points. That’s achievable in the next few weeks.

Currently completing an audit/QIP is 1 point. You won’t have time to complete cycles if you haven’t already but get started with one!

Being signed up to sit the MRCEM Primary is 1 point. The next sign up opens in January so you *could* get signed up prior to interview (though depends when interviews actually are). Could have it passed by 2023 application if unsuccessful this year!

rcem.ac.uk/examination-ca…

4️⃣ MSRA -

So I didn’t sit this in my cycle and I’m sure there’s loads of folks on here who’ll be happy to offer advice and tips. MediBuddy have a good breakdown of the paper here, and if anyone’s got recommendations for question banks please share!

medibuddy.co.uk/msra/msra-comp…

5️⃣ Interview -

MediBuddy also have a good resource for the interviews. Again they’ve changed since I did mine pre-COVID, but my main tip is have a *realistic* understanding of Emergency Medicine. Be aware it’s not all resus!

medibuddy.co.uk/accs-emergency…

I got asked about the exit block and how it impacts the hospital system - being able to talk with some experience and understanding about key performance indicators and the stresses to pts and staff puts across that you know the job you’re applying to!

Also be aware of the training pathway. Some people will still go to interview and talk about doing their orthopaedic block in training (???!!!!). Be aware of the dual specialities you can easily link EM with, it’ll show you’ve done your research and know what you’re about!

Ultimately these interviews are done by EM consultants who are just looking to find competent new colleagues who understand the specialty. It’s leadership, risk management, and care for all patients across the full spectrum of age/disease/acuity.

If any other EM lot have any other tips drop them below, especially if you’ve recently applied. Feel free to drop questions here or my DMs are always open!

Also we had a higher competition ratio than the gas board - why #ChooseAnaesthetics when you can #ChooseEM 😉

OH ONE MORE THING! You’ll be faced with the option of just doing core training (CT1-3) or taking a run-through post (ST1-6). Start thinking about this now!

Run through guarantees you a deanery and a post to CCT (ST4+ re-entry can be competitive) but some people want a break.

Remember EM are also pretty flexible about OOPs and LTFT so you may want to consider that - run through with less than full time and out of programme years may suit you better than finishing at CT3 and re-applying?