Fellowship CAI – Clinical and SOE Examinations
The Fellowship of the College of Anaesthesiologists of Ireland (FCAI) examination is an internationally recognised high stakes assessment of anaesthetists in training knowledge. The Fellowship examination is a national test of knowledge as laid out in the FCAI examination syllabus agreed with the Irish Medical Council. The examination is embedded within the curriculum outcomes and specialty anaesthetic trainees will not progress to SAT6 without possession of this qualification.
Key Dates
Examinations will proceed as per timetable below.
*This exam will be in an in-person format for candidates
Statement regarding new examination regulations
The CAI published new examination regulations in December 2022, we have allowed 1 years notice before these are implemented in full.
Therefore from December 2023 candidates applying for the;
FCAI Written – Has passed within 7 years preceding the current examination date, or is exempt from, the Membership CAI;
If a candidate passes the FCAI (Written), it will be valid for three years, after which time, if the whole examination has not been passed, the FCAI (Written) must be re-taken.
The FCAI Clinical examination will replace the major clinical case with multiple short cases. There will be three individual structured oral examinations (SOE). Each SOE will comprise six clinical cases, which will be examined in detail. Six minutes is allocated to each clinical case. Therefore, in total each SOE will last 36 minutes and total testing time will be 108 minutes.
SOE 1 will focus on perioperative medicine, patient optimisation and data interpretation.
SOE 2 will examine all aspects of general anaesthesia and pain medicine.
SOE 3 will test knowledge on intensive care medicine and advanced sciences which underpin the practice of anaesthesiology.
Each question will start with a short clinical scenario and will map to the anaesthesiology curriculum as either a core, modular and specialist units.
Apply for Examination
Applicant has completed 36 months in the practice of anaesthesia / anaesthesiology. Additionally, where the applicant is on the Irish National Anaesthesiology Training Programme, they must have completed 36 months within the training programme.
Step 1:
Download reference template for your Head of Department to sign.
Step 2:
Prepare for Examination
Preparation Course – This is a Consultant led intensive SOE preparation course giving candidates extensive viva practice for the examination. The format of the course is similar to the SOE’s including:
- Long clinical cases
- Critical care
- Pain management
- Applied basic sciences
Date: Courses to be confirmed
Please note: Only candidates that have applied for the FINAL FELLOWSHIP CAI CLINICAL/SOE exam will be considered for this course.
Reading Materials Here we have compiled a number of resources trainees have found useful for the MCAI. We hope this helps a little with your initial preparation for exams: General Books
- BMJ Education (formerly CEACCP) – http://bjaed.oxfordjournals.org/ **ESSENTIAL**
- Dr Podcast Scripts for the Final FRCA – Leslie, Johnson
- Physics, Pharmacology and Physiology for Anaesthetists: Key Concepts for the FRCA – Cross, Plunkett
SOE Books
- Clinical Anaesthesia Viva Book – Barker **Highly Recommended**
- The Anaesthesia Science VIVA Book – Bricker **Highly Recommended**
- Structured Oral Examination in Clinical Anaesthesia: Practice Examination Papers – Mendonca
- The Clinical Anaesthesia Viva Book, by Julian M. Barker
Websites http://www.wfsahq.org/resources/anaesthesia-tutorial-of-the-week http://www.dr-podcast.co.uk/podcasts.php?id=2 http://www.frcamindmaps.org/ http://www.derangedphysiology.com/main/ – useful ICU resource http://www.ccmtutorials.com/ – useful ICU resource http://lifeinthefastlane.com/ – useful ICU resource Question banks http://www.onexamination.com/
Examinations Contact: Rachael Kilcoyne, exams@coa.ie
FAQ’S / Application Process
1.Your bank card details 2.Your digital passport-sized photo (jpg)
No. There is no lunch provided. There will be tea & coffee available throughout the day. You may bring a lunch with you or buy some lunch during your break.
You will need to bring photo ID (Passport or Driving licence) and your invitation letter.
Yes. These are professional exams. You must wear business attire.