PHECC Examiner’s Workshop

A welcome increase in the number of National Qualification in Emergency Medical Technology (NQEMT) examinations being held has led to a demand for an increased pool of PHECC examiners. PHECC-recognised training institutions and those organisations approved to implement CPGs were invited to nominate individuals based on specific criteria. 115 nominations were received for 36 places in the workshop.

Held in Naas on 11th and 12th November, the two-day workshopoutlined the NQEMT examination process. Protection of the public– by setting the benchmark for each clinical level – was emphasisedas the most important element of the examinations. Fairness andtransparency for the candidates was detailed as a high priority for PHECC. To assist with these aims each trainee examiner was asked to sign a confidentiality agreement, stating that they would not discuss content of examinations with any third party. The trainee examiners were divided into groups of six with an experienced PHECC examiner appointed as a mentor for each group.

Day one focused on the correction of short answer questions where trainee examiners were presented with anonymised examination scripts from previous examinations. Working with their mentors, each trainee then awarded marks. Trainees were then asked to justify the marks awarded or not awarded as the case may be.
  Day two focused on running an Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) station. Each group of six trainee examiners set up and ran six OSCE stations. Members of the groups acted as candidates, examiners, patients and assistant practitioners as they rotated throughout the OSCE circuit.

Evaluation of the workshop by the trainee examiners was very positive.

Following successful completion of the workshop, each trainee examiner is required to examine one OSCE examination and correct one short written examination under the supervision of a qualified PHECC examiner prior to being appointed as a PHECC examiner. This will be completed over the next few months.

A second examiner’s workshop is planned for 2009.