ACCS Suggested Structure for Training Days

PLEASE NOTE REFRESHMENTS AND LUNCH WILL BE AT YOUR OWN EXPENSE.

 

0900-0930 – Coffee and Registration

 

0930 – 1030 (60 mins) – Basic science revision relevant to the day’s theme – of a level needed for MCEM part A, FRCA primary MCQ, and MRCP part 1. We’d suggest 3 short sharp presentations of 15 minutes each with 5 minutes for questions, covering the basic sciences relevant to the day’s theme – e.g. anatomy and physiology, pathology, pharmacology, microbiology. Pick a small ‘tricky’ area to cover, rather than trying to cover breadth. Please consider including 5 minutes of MCQ’s at the end of each micropresentation – you all have to do them! These presentations are great primary exam revision opportunities for those writing them, and we’d suggest they’re given by the ACCS trainees at the centre running the day. Alternatively invited speakers could be asked to teach for some or all of this time – but please take care with the pitch of the sessions; “avoid medical school rehashes” to quote one trainee.

 

10.30-10.45 – more Coffee

 

10.45 – 12.30 – (105 minutes) Key Literature pertaining to over-riding theme. Like a ‘super journal club’. We suggest 4 papers, one each for EM/anaesthetics/AM/ICM. 25 minutes for each including questions/discussion. Opportunity for trainees to develop critical appraisal skills and gain familiarity with literature searches etc, as well as keeping the clinical content of the day ‘cutting edge’. Alternatively this could be replaced / part substituted with speakers who are experts in the theme for the day.

 

1230-1330 – Lunch

 

1330 – 1530 – Simulation session – With relevance to each specialty, emphasis on non-technical skills as well as clinical knowledge. Either 2, with time for discussion, or 4 quick-fire cases. This will take work to organise and plan, and you will need the support of your simulation faculty and interested clinicians in your hospital. Simulation training was repeatedly suggested by trainees who've just finished their ACCS training and is great OSCE exam practice as well as a good way to cover the key knowledge in an engaging way.

 

1530 – 1600 – Any Other Business, planning for the next training day / exam related breakout for those that need it.

 

Example Training Day

 

Day 1 – Major Trauma and Prehospital Care

Curriculum Elements Covered : Major Presentations (MP); 3,5. Acute Presentations; 18.21,2,3

 

Basic Sciences 0930-1030. Anatomy/physiology – Head injury physiology. Pathology – The coagulopathy of major trauma. Pharmacology – Induction agents used in RSI of major trauma patients.

 

Literature Review 1045-1230

- EM - Lancet, 2010 July 3; 376(9734):23-32. CRASH-2 trial collaborators. Effects of tranexamic acid on death, vascular occlusive events, and blood transfusion in trauma patients with significant haemorrhage (CRASH-2): a randomised, placebo-controlled tria.

- AM – Am Surg. 2005; 72:757-763. Velmahos G. The current status of thromboprophylaxis after trauma; a story of confusion and uncertainty.

- ICM – Childs Nerv Syst. 1999 Nov; 15(11-12):732-9. Meyer P et al. Critical care management of neurotrauma in children: new trends and perspectives.

- Anaesthetics – J Surg Res. 2011 Sep; 170(1):e117-21. Bukur M et al. Prehospital intubation is associated with increased mortality after traumatic brain
injury.

 

Simulations 1330-1530

- 1. Thoracic injury, RSI, chest drains. Transfer to CT. Increasing airway pressures in CT – chest drain displaced? Massive haemothorax. To theatre for thoracotomy. Massive transfusion in theatre.

- 2. Fall from height due to cardiac arrhythmia. Traumatic Extradural haemorrhage. RSI. Neuroprotective ventilation. Further arrhythmia requiring ALS resus.