SET Surgery Specialties Combined Program (SS300)
Select your preferred date above About the Program The SET Surgical Specialties Combined Program (SS300) combines both the SET Surgical Specialties Interview Online Course (SS101) and the SET Surgical Specialties Surgery Interview Workshop (SS102) to deliver a comprehensive approach to the development of clinical, communication and presentation skills needed for the SET Interview. The course is prepared and conducted by practicing surgeons. The Institute of Medical Education (IME), previously known as the METC Institute, has been aiding surgeons in their SET interviews since 2013, offering guidance to more than 820 candidates. Program Structure The SET Interview represents the final step for acceptance onto the Surgical Education and Training (SET) program for Surgical Specialties. The aims of the SET Interview Course are to provide doctors with exposure to live interview panels; to provide an understanding of the criteria used to discern future surgeons; to prepare doctors to perform strongly in this highly competitive admissions interview; and to develop life-long communication and presentation skills that will assist them in their practice of medicine and surgery. This course combines both online learning and live interview practice work. Completion of this course allows comprehensive preparation and extensive development of core skills needed for a thorough preparation for the SET Interview and are life-long skills advantageous to good medical practice. All scenarios and interview panels are developed by the IME faculty of Surgical Specialties. Consultants available to students share unique insights into the SET entry preparation process and interview. Program Content The SET Surgical Specialties Combined Program (SS300) comprises of both the SET Surgical Specialties Interview Online Course (SS101) and the SET Surgical Specialties Interview Workshop (SS102). SET Surgical Specialties Interview Online Course (SS101) *The Surgical Specialities Online Course will be available for commencement on the 12th of February 2024* This course consists of interview scenarios written and prepared by consultant Surgeons with first-hand experience, expertise and insights into the practice of surgery, the SET selection process, interview structure and training program. Candidates work through 100 scenarios each of which consists of 2 questions (total 200 questions) in various online modules. Detailed ideal responses are provided for each scenario. Candidates are encouraged to practice their responses with their peers and to seek constructive feedback, in order to develop and refine their skills in this area. These modules cover key attributes of the RACS Core Competencies, ethics, as well as clinical scenarios that are commonly examined that determine proficiency in foundational medical and technical expertise required at the SET registrar level. These modules are outlined below. SET Interview Online Modules Module 1 – Introduction to the SET Surgical Specialties Interview This introductory module orientates candidates to the SET Surgical Specialties Interview, and the course modules. Module 2 – Professionalism & Ethics This module includes numerous scenarios with worked solutions that test candidates’ abilities to: Demonstrate a commitment to their patients, profession and community through ethical practice Recognise medico-legal issues Demonstrate a commitment to their patients, profession and community through participation in profession-led regulation Manage medical indemnity and risk Module 3 – Scholar & Teacher This module includes numerous scenarios with worked solutions that test candidates’ abilities to: Assume responsibility for their own ongoing learning Critically evaluate medical information and its sources, and apply appropriately to practice decisions Facilitate the learning of patients, families, trainees, other health professionals, and the community Contribute to the development, dissemination, application, and translation of new medical knowledge and practices Module 4 – Health Advocacy This module includes numerous scenarios with worked solutions that test candidates’ abilities to: Respond to individual patient health needs Promote health maintenance of patients Respond to the health needs of the community Promote health maintenance of colleagues Look after their own health Advocate for improvements in health care Module 5 – Management & Leadership This module includes numerous scenarios with worked solutions that test candidates’ abilities to: Allocate finite healthcare resources appropriately Manage and lead clinical teams Manage their practice and career effectively Serve in administration and leadership roles, as appropriate Module 6 – Collaboration & Teamwork This module includes numerous scenarios with worked solutions that test candidates’ abilities to: Work in collaboration with members of interdisciplinary teams where appropriate Module 7 – Communication This module includes numerous scenarios with worked solutions that test candidates’ abilities to: Develop rapport, trust and ethical therapeutic relationships with patients and families Accurately elicit and synthesise relevant information from patients, families, colleagues and other professionals Accurately convey relevant information and explanations to patients and families, colleagues and other professionals Develop a common understanding (with patients, families, colleagues and other professionals) on issues, problems and plans Module 8 – Medical Expertise This module includes numerous scenarios with worked solutions that test candidates’ abilities to: Establish and maintain clinical knowledge, skills and attitudes appropriate to their practice Module 9 – Judgement (Clinical Decision Making) This module includes numerous scenarios with worked solutions that test candidates’ abilities to: Provide compassionate patient-centred care Perform a complete and appropriate assessment of a patient Organise diagnostic testing, imaging and consultation as appropriate While students are required to complete the online modules, formal practice of interview scenarios is highly recommended. Students should seek like-minded peers or educated family members to practice thinking through and delivery of their responses to interview prompts supplied in the modules. Note: Modules are sequentially released upon satisfactory completion to enable a structured framework for successful completion of the course. SET Surgical Specialties Interview Workshop (SE102) This course is conducted in a live setting with an interview panel that includes specialist surgeons with experience formally interviewing candidates for admission to SET. Throughout the workshop, attendees move through different sets of scenarios. All candidates have opportunities to be examined and to be the examiner throughout the scenarios, providing unique insights. Candidates also receive detailed personalised feedback, through formal feedback rotations conducted at the end of each set of scenarios. Candidates attending this workshop will gain an understanding of the following: Specific interview style and process used for SET selection Aims of the SET selection interview Attributes sought by the SET selection interview Members of the SET selection interview panels Topics that will be encountered at the panels Scoring process and criteria used In addition to the experience gained from the live interviews, all candidates will be given personalised advice and strategies for improvement. Total time allocated for personalised feedback is 50 minutes per student. The live interviews conducted during the course are designed to be completely representative of the real interview, and provide candidates with the unique opportunity to practice their interview skills, and to develop their communication and presentation. The interview panels will focus on the nine RACS competencies. RACS Competencies Collaboration Communication Health advocacy Judgement – clinical decision making Management and leadership Medical expertise Professionalism and ethics Scholar and teacher Technical expertise Modules Access to course materials is made available after the live attendance workshop to consolidate teaching and to facilitate learning. Candidates access to the online course modules via IME's dedicated student portal. This Online Learning Management System also provides the student with various tools and advanced e-learning strategies to facilitate their learning. The course materials include: Detailed analysis of Strategies and Techniques needed for success including examples of questions and scoring assessment criteria Access to the scenarios used on the day of the course including ideal answers for each scenario Further suggested readings focusing on high-yield admissions interview topics Entry requirements General (unconditional) Medical registration in Australia or general scope or restricted general scope registration in the relevant specialty in New Zealand. For further information on selection requirements for SET, please visit www.surgeons.org. Locations and Dates The Institute Of Medical Education aims to provide the The SET Surgical Specialties Interview Workshop (SS102) in all major Australia Cities and New Zealand in New Zealand. To ensure adequate preparation time, workshops are typically held in April/May/June. How to enrol To enrol in this course and make payment, click on the ‘Enrol’ button at the top of the page. Please select your preferred location upon enrolment. *Delegates to check local & regional COVID restrictions prior to booking workshop. Course fees include access to the online modules and workshops for 365 days. Further fees apply for extensions and may only be granted on application. Please refer to our published refunds policy as a condition of enrolment. ENROL Exit examination The SET Surgical Specialties Combined Program (SS300) prepares candidates for the Surgical Education and Training admissions interview for Surgical Specialties through the development of fundamental communication and presentation skills. IME is an independent organisation and SET Interview Workshops are not associated with, or endorsed by the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (RACS), as RACS must maintain probity in its competitive selection process. The fees for such selection process are not included in the course fees for SE102. Faculty This interview course is designed by Specialist Doctors and Senior Lecturers from leading Australian University Medical Schools and Teaching Hospitals. Minimum qualification standards include MBBS with specialist qualification and registration with the Australian Health Practitioners Regulation Agency (AHPRA). All courses are delivered by experienced lecturers with proven success in the medical space.
