Cert AVP synoptic paper

Re: Cert AVP synoptic paper

Julian Earl — Wed, 17 Jun 2015 08:53:43 GMT

I think you are correct and agreeing with my comments. You can apply for AVP on he basis of a pre-existing certificate, as long as you have maintained your CPD in that field. If you do not have a certificate for your designation already then your designation requires examination I believe. For example, if you wanted an AVP for cattle work one wold have to already have the Cert CHP to avoid further examination. I suppose that RCVS considers a certificate-holder to already have proved their knowledge by examination already, so CPD becomes the crucial issue. Is yhat clear?

Re: Cert AVP synoptic paper

CatherineThomas — Wed, 17 Jun 2015 08:16:40 GMT

[quote user="Julian Earl"]

I contacted RCVS about the exam and received this reply stating that: But Advanced Practitioner status is not examined, it’s an accreditation based upon a certificate level qualification. So, if you did want to achieve Advanced Practitioner status, you wouldn’t need to sit an examination. Therefore as I understand it, if one already has a certificate then that has to be one's designation and this means no further examination is required: [ as one has already taken the exams for one's original certificate. Then It is just your on-going CPD that counts to show that one has kept up-to-date.

[/quote]

I don't think you can apply for advanced practitioner status unless your certificate is designated. In order for the certificate to be designated you have to have done the required modules and do a synoptic exam, so that you can add the extra letters after the CertAVP. You also have to show that you have at least 5 years experience in the field, spend at least 50% of your time in that area and have done more than 250 hours cpd over the past 5 years, of which 50% should be in the chosen field.

I think it's different for old style certificates as they were already designated, i.e. you couldn't get a CERT without letters indicating the field.

Re: Cert AVP synoptic paper

Michael Woodhouse — Tue, 16 Jun 2015 23:55:23 GMT

[quote user="grumpyoldman"]What about the old certificates ?[/quote]

What about them? I don't think they were better or worse than what we have now, just different. I understand the academic standards differed between subjects - I like the standardisation, flexibility and 10 year running period for the CertAVP.

If I could have picked to do an old or new cert I'd have done the old one because I'd still have to know as much stuff, but have had a hell of a lot less work to do with the old system. I estimate I had to hand it over 45,000 words of essays and case reports. The old (cattle) system was 3 case reports (not 15) a written exam and a 2 hour oral and practical examination. You still had to stand up in front of experts in the field and prove that you were 'worthy'.

I only have the details saved for cattle (and maybe sheep) - I can't speak for any other area as I never considered them.

My CertAVP synoptic exam flew by - they were almost throwing me out at the end. I met one of the examiners at a later date and he did say I wasn't like the other candidates.....

Re: Cert AVP synoptic paper

grumpyoldman — Tue, 16 Jun 2015 23:31:29 GMT

[quote user="Michael Woodhouse"]Anon - can you think of a better way?[/quote]

What about the old certificates ?

Re: Cert AVP synoptic paper

Julian Earl — Tue, 16 Jun 2015 22:20:38 GMT

Re: Cert AVP synoptic paper

vanessab — Mon, 04 May 2015 10:33:12 GMT

Am considering synoptic as well (SAM), was wondering if there is any known difference or benefit between assessment at the university (in this case Liverpool) or the RCVS (besides the cost £450 v £801!)

Re: Cert AVP synoptic paper

Julian Earl — Mon, 04 May 2015 09:41:00 GMT

Thanks Michael, that is enlightening. I don't fancy sitting exams any more, I've had enough of them!

Re: Cert AVP synoptic paper

listhestar — Sat, 02 May 2015 11:25:16 GMT

[quote user="Claire Fisher"]

The main things our tutors said people failed on were related to exam technique - not explaining enough of the thought process behind the answers.

I used www.veterinaryradiology.net to practice reading xrays - really good site.

[/quote]

Thanks Claire - that's useful. Makes sense as all the way through our case reports we have to show clinical thinking. In a verbal exam it might sounds silly verbilising that bit (as we do the thinking and logic automatically).

Anon- that's the sort of exam I am must worried about. I know about the referral end but am a primary clinician and have been for 9 years so really rare conditions will be odd for me.

Thanks everyone for the feedback, thanks Claire for that website- will give it a go

Lisa

Re: Cert AVP synoptic paper

Michael Woodhouse — Fri, 01 May 2015 21:20:55 GMT

[quote user="Julian Earl"]

Is there an actual exam ? I thought it was an award by the RCVS if one worked in the designated area plus had exceeded the required CPD hours? The guide doesn't refer to an acual exam as I remember?

[/quote]

The synoptic exam is required if you want a designated certificate. If you are happy with CertAVP with no designation then you don't need to do the synoptic exam.

I had 2 internal examiners, an external examiner and a representative from RCVS. I was quite happy the examination process was absolutely fair, despite me never having seen a case of vitamin A deficiency in my career, and had to dredge the pathways for the menace response from 2nd year at college.

It is as important to realise what you don't know. Anon - do you think they were intentionally pushing you beyond your limits, with the hope that you expressed you were out of your depth and see how you would cope?

Anon - can you think of a better way?

Re: Cert AVP synoptic paper

mariette asselbergs — Fri, 01 May 2015 16:33:01 GMT

I was of the same opinion as Julian. I am on a BSAVA Cert course and they offer the extra "Essential Skills" course material extra for free and say it is not marked or examined. You have to read the stuff for 6 modules and then write an assignment for each. These are mainly things to show that you have learnt something like writing an emergency protocol for your practice or doing a case report showing that you can do logical, scientific deductive and inductive reasoning. I am surprised this stuff is supposed to be advanced practice skills, to me they look more like freshmen university study stuff. But overall it is fairly interesting and entertaining. o exam is mentioned.

Re: Cert AVP synoptic paper

Julian Earl — Fri, 01 May 2015 16:11:05 GMT

Is there an actual exam ? I thought it was an award by the RCVS if one worked in the designated area plus had exceeded the required CPD hours? The guide doesn't refer to an acual exam as I remember?

Re: Cert AVP synoptic paper

An On MRCVS — Fri, 01 May 2015 14:22:58 GMT

It depends. I have done two and they were both bad because of the knowledge that was expected. I was asked things at referral level or things like very rare complications. They were both run by people who combined had less than 2 years in general practice (i have >10) so I got the sense that they didn't really know what was common and what wasn't. It was a bit being like back at university. One I passed, the other I failed despite systematic approaches to things I didn't know in both. What you have to bear in mind is that it is an opinions game, and there are no grounds for appeal afterwards. I think it may be better with large animal exams because most of the examiners will have spent a good amount of time in practice so will know what is common and what isn't. The experiences have left me cold with the CertAVP as my protests to the RCVS and suggestions that being a qualification aimed at people in general practice maybe they should have examiners that know what happens in general practice were met with explanations that our exams are fine, the examiners are experts, and by implication, you weren't up to scratch. Maybe I wasn't. For a referral centre.

Re: Cert AVP synoptic paper

CatherineThomas — Fri, 01 May 2015 07:38:06 GMT

I did the exotics synoptic recently and I didn't find it too bad. I had to talk through 3 cases they gave me and they just seemed to want to see that I knew how to work up a case properly, which tests to do, interpret radiographs and blood results and explain my reasons for what I would do.

Re: Cert AVP synoptic paper

Claire Fisher — Thu, 30 Apr 2015 21:20:53 GMT

I did the synoptic medicine exam with Liverpool last year. It was divided into two parts - the first was 3 shorter questions based around interpreting ECGs/radiographs/blood results/cytology and the second part was longer - working through cases. They used to offer a practice exam session but I'm not sure if that's still available.

The main things our tutors said people failed on were related to exam technique - not explaining enough of the thought process behind the answers.

I used www.veterinaryradiology.net to practice reading xrays - really good site.

Re: Cert AVP synoptic paper

Michael Woodhouse — Thu, 30 Apr 2015 19:06:59 GMT

Exactly. It's also a question of knowing your limits - there is no shame in saying that you don't know and how you would find the information. There is nothing wrong with saying that something is beyond your level and you would refer the case.

I really enjoyed mine, in a funny sort of way.

Re: Cert AVP synoptic paper

listhestar — Thu, 30 Apr 2015 16:32:43 GMT

Hi Michael

Thanks for the thoughts. It will be in small animal medicine. It's almost exam you can't revise for then really. Just keeping the knowledge up and managing cases at that level I guess?

Cheers

Lisa

Re: Cert AVP synoptic paper

Michael Woodhouse — Thu, 30 Apr 2015 13:23:09 GMT

Lisa,

What subject? Someone in the same area may be able to offer more. Mine was a chat really with a few cases, a bit of video where I had to dredge up info on vitamin A deficiency. Some pictures, and some lab reports to interpret.

I was told to take photographic ID, but this wasn't checked.

You can do all the CertAVP work by distance learning. You could be good at looking things up, but useless at managing information and cases in real life. Someone could do the work for you or help you in practice. I see it as a final check that you are 'worthy' of the designated certificate.

Mine was quite informal. I intentionally critiqued one of the examiners papers as part of my C module work, and he seemed to enjoy that.