Exam Essentials

"Exam Essentials: OSCEs for Pre-Hospital Emergency Medicine" is a comprehensive practical examination preparation book for those undertaking clinical and viva-style assessments in pre-hospital emergency medicine and associated disciplines. Structured around the curriculum for the Fellowship in Immediate Medical Care (FIMC), it provides an essential resource for candidates preparing for the clinical and structured components of this demanding examination.


This essential resource covers a wide range of core topics, including pre-hospital assessment, human factors and team resource management, equipment and monitoring, trauma and medical emergencies, paediatric and obstetric presentations, sedation and analgesia, major incident management, transfer and retrieval, communication with patients and colleagues, and ethical and professional challenges. Alongside the FIMC, this book is also highly relevant for candidates undertaking the Diploma in Immediate Medical Care (DIMC), the Diploma in Retrieval and Transfer Medicine (DRTM) and the Diploma in Major Incident Management (Dip MIM). Those preparing for examinations such as the Membership of the Royal College of Emergency Medicine (MRCEM), Fellowship of the Royal College of Emergency Medicine (FRCEM), European Board Examination in Emergency Medicine (EBEEM) (European Society for Emergency Medicine), US Board of Certification in Emergency Medicine (BCEM), and international pre-hospital and emergency medicine qualifications will similarly benefit from its structured clinical focus.


Designed to replicate the format and pressures of real-world OSCE stations, this book provides realistic scenarios that assess not only clinical knowledge, but also communication skills, leadership, prioritisation, situational awareness, and safe decision-making under pressure. Each station includes candidate instructions, examiner guidance, structured mark schemes, key discussion points, and practical tips to refine technique and maximise performance.


Success in OSCEs depends on clarity of thought, structured assessment, and confident delivery. Through deliberate practice and exposure to high-yield scenarios, this book equips candidates with the skills, insight, and exam technique required to perform at their best in high-stakes clinical assessments.