DipIMC: everything you need to know to pass.

Part A — Written component

SBA-style questions and short-answer items testing the underpinning knowledge expected of a pre-hospital practitioner — including resuscitation algorithms, major trauma, prehospital emergency anaesthesia (PHEA), obstetric emergencies, paediatric resuscitation, command and control, and FPHC Consensus Statements

Part B — Objective Structured Practical Examination (OSPE)

Multi-station practical assessment covering safety, scene approach, primary and secondary survey, airway management (incl. capnography, difficult airway), trauma packaging, drug calculations, communication, and end-of-life decisions in the pre-hospital environment

Eligibility

Open to doctors, nurses and paramedics with a current registration with the relevant regulator. There is no formal requirement for prior PHEM experience to sit the DipIMC, although it is strongly recommended. Application must be signed by an FPHC Regional Examinations Advisor or UK approved PHEM Training Programme Director.

Maximum attempts

The number of attempts for completion of the DipIMC RCSEd cannot be increased beyond the standard limit (typically 4 attempts within a defined timeframe). Both Part A and Part B must be passed.

Resus Council UK 2021 adult ALS — adrenaline 1 mg IV/IO every 3-5 minutes, amiodarone 300 mg after 3rd shock, thrombolysis for suspected PE arrest, mechanical CPR devices, eCPR criteria. Older revision sources teach 2015 algorithms — use the current standard.

Major trauma — Major Haemorrhage Protocol activation criteria, 1:1:1 ratio (RBC : FFP : platelets), tranexamic acid within 3 hours of injury (CRASH-2 / MATTERs), pelvic binder placement, recognising tension pneumothorax clinically (decompression at 4th-5th ICS mid-axillary, not classical 2nd ICS MCL)

Traumatic cardiac arrest (TCA) — distinguishing from medical arrest, "HOTT" reversible causes (Hypoxia, Hypovolaemia, Tension pneumothorax, Tamponade), the role of resuscitative thoracotomy and intra-arrest blood

Paediatric resuscitation — APLS 7th edition. Adrenaline 10 mcg/kg IV/IO, fluid 10 mL/kg in trauma vs 20 mL/kg in sepsis, weight estimation formulas (age × 2 + 8 for 1-10 years), uncuffed vs cuffed ETT debate

Pre-hospital emergency anaesthesia (PHEA) — recognising indications, drug choices (ketamine + rocuronium most common in UK), C-spine immobilisation considerations, RSI checklist, recognition of failed intubation

Obstetric pre-hospital emergencies — PPH 4 T's (Tone, Trauma, Tissue, Thrombin), bimanual uterine compression, postpartum eclampsia (magnesium sulphate 4 g IV loading), shoulder dystocia HELPERR mnemonic

Command and control — JESIP principles, METHANE major incident report (Major incident declared, Exact location, Type, Hazards, Access, Number of casualties, Emergency services required), TWELVE/SIEVE triage

FPHC Consensus Statements — keep up with the latest. Recent topics: TXA in trauma, pelvic fracture binders, traumatic cardiac arrest, extrication, traumatic brain injury, helicopter operations. These are examined directly.