The FCCCM course of CCEF is a supervised and structured course. This means that you need to be under a recognized teacher who will supervise your training and guide you. However, the Academic Council of the College of Critical Care Medicine (in its wisdom) recognized the reality of a recognized ICU not being available in many cities or abroad. Hence the Council has permitted such doctors to register for the Course as most of the training is mentored by the College itself. As there is lot of teaching now online and the HOD/ Chief intensivist in your ICU can mentor you, it should be OK. Also, our Fellows who have passed the FCCCM or AFIC examinations are spread globally and are permitted to be teachers for local candidates. In short, the answer is YES you can register from any institute.
The remuneration you receive during training and your designation is a local matter that is decides by the management of individual institutes. You need to discuss these terms with them. It helps to ask around. Also you may ask your friends who may be doing this course. They may be able to provide some information
There are unavoidable circumstances in life where you need to move to another hospital or city. The College understands that. If you have a genuine reason (eg. Post marriage shifting of residence to join spouse), then all that is required is for you to write a note explaining the circumstances and get the current teacher to sign. Also approach the new hospital willing to accept you as a candidate and take the new teachers sign too and send to the office of the College of Critical Care Medicine (office @ ccef.in).
Yes, our past fellows have done international fellowships in Canada and UK and their training here was very much appreciated there. This is because, this FCCCM/ AFIC exam may be tougher than other exam options in India, but it prepares you for the world. However, no Critical Care Fellowship from India allows you to directly practice in any other country based on Indian certificate. The FCCCM/ AFIC certificate is only proof of your knowledge and your recognition as Intensivist in India.
There is a very serious shortage of trained intensivists in India and other developing countries. Also, this course is appreciated in other countries because of its high standards and practical bedside training. Majority of ICUs are surprisingly forced to run with non-qualified doctors. So as a qualified critical care specialist, its all sun-shine! Intensivists who have done this course get a better salary package too.
This is a common mistake made by trainees. The Logbook reflects your work throughout the year as do the ACP points. They are to be completed as you work and is proof of your performance. Also study leave (if you are lucky to have your institute spare you for weeks or months!) are just that—study leave. So use that time to study. Remember, if you do not complete your logbook or accumulate proof of required ACP points as per the College criteria (available at www.collegeofcriticalcare.com ) you CANNOT appear for the exam. In that case, you will need to reapply next year with fresh fees etc.
1. Fellowship Examination in Critical Care Medicine (FCCCM) is of 1 year.
2. Advanced Fellowship in Intensive Care (AFIC) is of 1 year.
In the past, here used to be a difference in fee but that system has been abolished. We have moved away from an Institute based recognition system. Now fee is the same.
The choice of which hospital to join depends on multiple factors: where you live, existing vacancy in that hospital etc. Try to join an ICU with diverse case mix (i.e.. different types of cases, advanced facilities such as cardiac or neuro-surgeries, transplants etc) to gain a wider clinical experience. But any good multidisciplinary ICU will do.
Any fee paid is non-refundable and non-transferable. Also it cannot be carried forward. You will need to apply all over as a fresh application.
The practice of physical application using forms has been discontinued. All applications are online from the website ICUeducation.com in the dashboard page.
The Certificate issued on passing the Examination contains your photograph and a particular format/size is mandatory so that it fits properly on the Certificate. PLEASE ENSURE GOOD QUALITY PHOTO as it will go on your certificate and CANNOT be changed!
The Photo has specifications. The background should be light background. Your face should occupy 80% of the photo area. You should wear a light colored plain, well ironed shirt or dress so that the College stamp can be seen after stamping your photo.
The Orientation program is held over 4-days at the beginning of the term. It is a VERY IMPORTANT program that clearly explains the path of learning the candidate should follow, including what books to read, the approach to common problems in the ICU and how to read ABGs, Blood reports, ECGs, X-rays, CT scan, USG, Hemodynamic monitoring and data interpretation, ECHO, Medical statistics, Microbiology and antibiotics, graphs, etc. The orientation programmes are different for FCCCM and AFIC examinations.
The “Crash Course” is held just before the Examination and is a rapid revision of the important points every candidate must know. In addition, there is a mock exam to give the Candidate a feel of what to expect.
There are separate charges for the Orientation course and Crash Course. See the page on Fee structure for details.
Only online payments from our website ICUeducation.com is accepted. This way the receipts are generated online and records are automatically maintained. Currently 18% GST is charged by the Government on all fees. This is added automatically when paying online from the site.