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The exam is usually attempted in the third year of Advanced Training.

Eligibility

To be eligible to sit the assessment, you must have:

• completed 24 months FTE certified training
• completed a satisfactory research project
• current general AMC/MCNZ medical registration
• approved registration for the current training period
• comply with requirements in Progression Through Training Policy 

If you have outstanding training fees, you're ineligible to sit the exam. See College Fees Terms and Conditions.

Exam attempt limit

You cannot continue Advanced Training if you exceed the examination attempt limit, which is based on when you commenced training.

See Progression Through Training Policy for more information about examination attempts.

Overseas trained physicians | Check your eligibility requirements with your Overseas Trained Physicians Case Officer before applying.

Application process

If you’re eligible to sit the exam, you get an email to apply before the application date.

Contact us if you think you’re eligible to sit the exam but haven’t received the email.

Submit your application

Submit your application by 5pm AEST, Friday 13 May 2022.

Apply

Application confirmation

After submitting your application form, we email you to confirm it’s been received. If you don’t get a confirmation email, check your junk/spam folders and contact us if it’s not there.

Final confirmation

You receive a candidate allocation letter, via email, 6 weeks before the exam. This confirms your exam registration, venue and session time.

Withdrawal

Withdrawals are not counted as exam attempts. Contact us to withdraw up until the start of the exam.

If you withdraw, you can re-apply to sit the exam the following year if you meet the eligibility criteria.

Special consideration

Applications for special consideration must be submitted using the Special Consideration for Assessment application form and guide (DOC).

We consider the following circumstances before the exam:

• permanent and longstanding impairment
• temporary impairment with medical grounds
• non-medical compassionate grounds or serious disruption
• essential commitments (religious, cultural, societal or legal obligations)

Once you start the exam, only technical or procedural problems will be considered.

You cannot request appeals, reviews or reconsiderations in relation to your result.

For more on application requirements and possible outcomes, see Special Consideration for Assessment Policy (PDF).

Prepare

Exam format

8 questions | 2 sessions | 5 min reading time | 30 min interview time | 1 hour 15 mins

The exam is a summative assessment of your knowledge on the practice of sexual health medicine as set out in the Sexual Health Medicine Advanced Training Curriculum (PDF).

It tests your ability to integrate all the relevant issues — diagnostic, individual management and public health — that arise from the cases presented. You’re expected to demonstrate a detailed knowledge of current debate and recent advances in, and ethical dilemmas that arise out of, the practice of sexual health medicine.

The exam is an interview-style structure consisting of 2, 30-minute sessions. You discuss 4 questions in each session, 8 questions in total. You have 5 minutes reading time before each session.

Each session is conducted by a panel of 2 examiners. To present cases, the examiners could use supporting information such as slides, pathology reports and case notes.

Topics

Common topics include:

• mixed infections, atypical presentations, late sequelae of infection (including persisting problems)
• rationale underlying common management protocol
• management dilemmas imposed by social or logistical factors
• interpretation of pathology specimens
• problems arising out of concurrent pregnancy, immune compromise, sexual assault or psychosexual problems
• health service delivery issues
• public health issues, including health promotion and surveillance
• legal and ethical dilemmas

Core skills

To ensure you've developed the necessary core skills, you must be able to:

• take an accurate general medical, social, sexual and drug use history
• apply an expert level of knowledge to the diagnosis and clinical management (including contact tracing) of a wide range of sexually transmitted infection/human immunodeficiency virus (STI/HIV) infections and other sexual health problems
• apply detailed knowledge of the pharmacology of antimicrobial agents used against STI/HIV infections as well as the diagnosis and management of adverse reactions to these agents
• apply a detailed knowledge of the local and general epidemiology and impact of STI/HIV infections
• apply an understanding of the pathogenesis of STI/HIV infections
• apply a detailed understanding of the methods and limitations of the laboratory diagnosis of STI/HIV infections, including hands-on skills in:
  • specimen collection and handling
  • light, phase contrast and dark field microscopy
  • rapid serological tests for common STIs
• recognise and manage (including appropriate referral) personal and cultural factors relevant to any individual’s sexual health problem
• ensure patients are counselled on appropriate contraceptive cover
• assist patients to minimise the risk of transmission of STI/HIV infections through safer sex and safer drug use
• understand cultural factors that contribute to the persistence of STI/ HIV infections in the community and, in conjunction with community representatives and other health professionals, develop and implement appropriate interventions that minimise the impact of these diseases
• act as an advocate to government and non-government organisations for the promotion of sexual health
• identify the needs and develop and administer an appropriate health service with the aim of improving the sexual health of a local community
• participate in debate and research in the area of sexual health
• participate in community and professional education about sexual health
• provide expert consultancy on sexual health matters
• provide advice to other health professionals (including, but not limited to, general and specialist doctors) regarding clinical management of patients who will not be seen in person by the sexual health physician

Timing

Each session with the examiners lasts 30 minutes, allowing an average of 7 minutes and 30 seconds per question. The examiners may wrap up a question to ensure you have an opportunity to address all 4 questions. You should manage your time in terms of providing concise responses however, the examiners will keep time overall.

Follow-up questions

A series of generic follow-up questions and prompts has been developed specifically for this exam. For example:

• Could you explain that in a little more detail?
• What might be the effect of that course of action?

Examiners could prompt you with these types of questions if you haven’t addressed key parts of a question or you need to broaden the scope of your answer. However, do not rely on the examiners to steer your responses.

Examiners may also seek additional information when you give a thorough answer but there’s time for additional discussion. This type of dialogue doesn’t mean you’re doing poorly.

Academic integrity

Some actions are seen as attempting to gain an unfair advantage. For example, attempts to:

• find out who examiners are
• contact potential examiners and seek guidance on improving performance
• contact examiners on exam day

These actions are a breach of the Academic Integrity in Training Policy (PDF), could lead to your disqualification and affect your progress through training.

Contact us with questions.

Exam day

Timetable

Arrive 20 minutes before your scheduled session.

On arrival, confirm your identity and sign the confidentially agreement. Exam staff direct you to the waiting area. Remain here until it’s time to enter your exam room.

Example timetable

Exact times are confirmed in your candidate allocation letter.

Personal items

Bring

• printed or electronic copy of your candidate allocation letter confirming your name, candidate number, session time and venue
• current photo ID with your full name and signature, for example a passport or driver license
• blue or black ballpoint pens (no pencils, gel or felt-tip pens)
• highlighter (optional)
• water in a clear plastic bottle (optional)
• basic analogue watch

Tip: Dress appropriately. Consider the weather conditions, the venue and your comfort. You don't need to dress formally, but you should look professional.

Not permitted

• written material (other than your candidate allocation letter)
• calculators
• electronic devices (including smart watches and communication devices)
• food or beverages (water is provided)
• all other belongings (for example, bags)

During the exam, all electronic devices including mobile phones and smart watches must be switched off and placed in your bag. Your bag will be securely stored on-site.

If you’re found with one of these devices on you during the exam, you’re automatically disqualified and immediately escorted out of the exam venue.

Completing the exam

Your exam takes place in an allocated room where all video conference equipment is set up and thoroughly tested before the exam.

An invigilator is assigned to you for the duration of the exam. They provide instructions and manage the video conference process. A remote moderator moves you in and out of your virtual reading room and examiner panels. The interview sessions are not recorded.

Reading time

Before each interview, you get a folder containing the topic and/or some background details of the scenarios for the first 2 questions. We provide notepaper. You have 5 minutes to read, take notes and prepare yourself.

You're connected to Zoom during reading but no one else will be online with you.

Interview sessions

At the end of reading time, you're moved into your first interview session. The examiners introduce themselves briefly then start your session.

You discuss 8 questions in total:

• Examiner panel 1 | 4 questions
• Examiner panel 2 | 4 questions

You need to cover at least 3 of the 4 exam questions in each session.

The examiners take turns as the lead questioner. Both examiners assess your responses.

At the end of the 30 minutes, the examiners wrap up the session. There may be a short delay before you're moved back into your virtual reading room for the break or end of the exam.

An AChSHM-approved observer may also be present. They are not involved in examining or contributing in any way to the interview.

Break

Between exam sessions, there is a 5-minute break for you to regroup and use the toilet (escorted by an exam assistant).

After the break, you get the case scenarios of the first 2 questions for the next session. We provide notepaper. You have 5 minutes to read, take notes and prepare yourself.

Leaving the exam venue

After you complete the exam, return your folder and all papers. Your personal belongings are returned and you can leave.

Conduct

Exam materials and content are confidential. The following actions are considered academic misconduct:

• removing exam materials from the venue
• wilfully damaging or interfering with equipment
• reproducing or distributing the contents of exam material

If you breach these requirements, you are excluded from the assessment. See the Academic Integrity in Training Policy (PDF) for more information.

Results

You receive an email with your exam result. Ensure we have your current email address and contact number. Contact us if you don’t receive the email.

If you’re unsuccessful, you also receive a phone call from one of the examiners. They provide feedback compiled from both sessions.

Post-Exam Candidate Survey (PECS)

We email you a link for a survey to complete before results are released.

We value your feedback on the question quality, exam arrangements and process. Responses are discussed by the College and AChSHM Chapter Training Committee at the post-exam meeting.