The SET General Surgery Interview Online Course (CR306) is a highly specialised interview preparation program which prepares candidates for the Surgical Education and Training SET General Surgery admissions interview through the development of fundamental communication and presentation skills. The course is prepared by practicing consultant surgeons and provides candidates with an opportunity to gain a unique insight into the SET selection interview, including assessment and scoring criteria. On completion of the course, candidates are in an advantageous position to gain entry into the highly competitive General Surgery SET program. Furthermore, candidates completing the course develop communication and presentation skills that will assist them in their practice of medicine and surgery.
Aims of the course
The SET General Surgery Interview represents the final step for acceptance onto the Surgical Education and Training (SET) program for General Surgery. The aims of the SET General Surgery Interview Online Course are to provide doctors with the materials and strategies needed to develop communication and presentation skills that are needed to fully prepare for the selection interview and to stand out from the crowd, in a high stakes and highly competitive selection process. Furthermore, the development of these communication and presentation skills will assist them in their ongoing practice of medicine and surgery.
Course Structure
This course consists of interview scenarios written and prepared by consultant General Surgeons with first-hand experience, expertise and insights into the practice of General Surgery, the SET General Surgery selection process, interview structure and training program. The course is suitable for candidates applying for SET General Surgery Specialty training who wish to complete a thorough interview preparation course that develops their clinical, communication and presentation skills, but who are unable to attend the live component of the course (refer CR305), or for those who wish to further their development in this area.
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 include:
Module 1 – Introduction to the SET General Surgery Interview
This introductory module orientates candidates to the SET General Surgery 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
Module 10 – Technical Expertise
This module includes numerous scenarios with worked solutions that test candidates’ abilities to:
• Safely and effectively perform appropriate surgical procedures
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.
For registration and payment click Enrol and follow the registration and payment instructions.
Course fees include access to the online modules 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.
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 surgeons.org
The SET General Surgery Interview Online Course (CR306) is a highly specialised interview preparation program prepared by practicing consultant surgeons with unique experience and insights into the SET selection interview, including assessment and scoring criteria.
Disclosures
METC Institute 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.
