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 online for the Course as “from non-recognized institute”. 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 are spread throughout the country and are permitted to be teachers for local candidates.
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 President of the College of Critical Care Medicine. Finally, you may choose to be a candidate from a Non-recognized institute (which is permitted) but as the fee for candidates from Non-recognized institute is higher, you will need to pay the difference at time of applying for approval from CCEF.
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 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 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. Majority of ICUs are surprisingly forced to run with non-allopathic doctors (unofficially). 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 ACP points are to be accumulated as you work and is proof of your performance throughout the year. 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 accumulate proof of 120 ACP points as per the College criteria (available online at icueducation.com & www.collegeofcriticalcare.com ) you CANNOT appear for the exam. In that case, you will need to reapply next year with fresh fees etc.
Contact details are available on this site collegeofcriticalcare.com and ICUeducation.com
The course consists of 3 Components
1. Primary Examination in Critical Care medicine (PCCCM) of 1 year. This was previously called Part 1 Examination.
2. Fellowship Examination in Critical Care Medicine (FCCCM) of 1 year. This was previously called Part 2 Examination. Candidates who pass the PCCCM examination or those with Postgraduate qualification (MD, DNB in Medicine, Chest Medicine and Anaesthesia or Diploma holders in these specialities including emergency Medicine) can register and appear for FCCCM examination
3. The Advanced Fellowship in Intensive Care (AFIC) examination has been started in 2021 jointly with Apollo Medvarsity as a 1 year course. Candidates who have passed fellowship examination from CCEF, Medvarsity, or any other body can register and appear for this examination provided they accumulate 120 Academic Credit Points (ACP of CCEF).
Yes there is a difference in the fee. When Hospitals seek recognition they pay to the College of Critical Care Medicine. In view of that, their candidates pay a reduced fee while non-recognized institute doctors do not get any concession. So, in truth, you are not paying more but they are paying less!
The choice of hospital to join depends on multiple factors: where you live, existing vacancy in that hospital etc. The list of hospitals is displayed and you are always free to talk to our “Career Guides”. Career Guides are Intensivists who have themselves given the Fellowship exams and are willing to discuss your particular situation if you so desire.
The Academic Credit points (ACP of CCEF) are granted only to the person who has registered and the Certificate of Completion (autogenerated by the website is in the name of the person who paid and registered! So while others can watch and gain knowledge, it gives them NO ACP points. Record of all ACP certificates issued is always with the College office.
The ACP points of CCEF are only relevant to CCEF academic activities. While the Medical Council should consider some points for the CME activity, it is totally their discretion.
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 plain, well ironed shirt or dress so that the College stamp can be seen after stamping your photo.
The Orientation program is held over 4-5 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 and CT scan etc.
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.
While there are some free online courses and free online classes, many of the programs and online courses are subscription based. These courses are put together with a lot of time and energy by the best of teachers. And you have heard the saying…. No good thing is free! (our online series like “Weekly ECG Exercises”, “ABG of the Week” and “ Critical Care over a Cup of Coffee” etc. are free yet world class learning resources)
We strongly recommend online payments from our website ICUeducation.com. This way the receipts are generated online and records are automatically maintained.