2023
AVT COURSE
Thursday 23rd -
Sunday 26th March
COURSE STRUCTURE
Key components of the AVT course include:
• Viva Examinations that simulate the Clinical Long Cases, Short Cases,
Imaging and Operative Surgery examinations & Clinical Decision Making
• Sample Written Examinations simulating the Short Answer and Long Answer
examinations with questions contributed by AVT faculty;
• Endovasculopathies Problem-Solving Session in front of an audience of
Faculty, local Vascular surgeons and allied health professionals
• Tutorial on Vascular Imaging.
Provisional Program (subject to change)
Thursday 23rd March
11.00am Registration followed by Written exams, Radiology Lecture
Candidates Dinner & Faculty Dinner
Friday 24th March
Short Cases & Clinical Decision Making
6.30pm - 9.30pm Endovasculopathies Session @ National Wine Centre
Saturday 25th March
Long Cases, Operative & Imaging
Course Dinner
Sunday 26th March
Long Cases
Candidate Assessment & Feedback
Simulated Viva Exam Program
In the viva examinations component of the course, each candidate is examined and assessed by two consultant vascular surgeons with experience in the vascular examination process. A close marking scheme identical to that used by the Court of Examiners of the RACS for the FRACS examination is employed to assess the candidate’s performance.
The viva examinations component of the AVT focuses on observed clinical technique (history and physical examination), viva technique and presentation style as well as knowledge-base and clinical acumen.
At the immediate completion of each trial viva examination, an assessment of overall performance is provided with specific recommendations made, based on the observed performance of the candidate at the AVT, to assist the candidate in preparing for the FRACS (Vascular) examination. Examiners will nominate a mark for each viva examination completed with formative feedback comments.
Each final year trainee will undergo a series of multiple viva examinations in Clinical Long Cases (new format), Clinical Short Cases, Imaging and Operative Surgery & Clinical Decision Making. At the completion of the trial examination, an assessment of overall performance is provided based on aggregate scores achieved with each individual viva completed. Specific recommendations are made, based on the observed performance of the candidate at the AVT,
to assist the candidate in preparing for the FRACS (Vascular) examination.
The overall performance assessment is administered by a panel of senior faculty members.
Written Examination
The AVT program will includes a timed written examination which will be formally evaluated and marked with feedback given to individual candidates.
Paper 1 comprises a single long answer (essay). Paper 2 comprises 4 short answer questions.
Marked written examinations are returned to candidates during the assessment at the end of the Course.
Endovasculopathies
The Endovasculopathies symposium takes the AVT candidate through a spectrum of endovascular interventions from basic to more complex or advanced scenarios. This interactive session consolidates technical aspects of aortic endovascular interventions which are raised by a series of case discussions prompted by the use of multiple image modalities.
The Endovasculopathies symposium aims at providing an assessment of competence in the basic selection and technical aspects of endovascular surgery to more advanced endovascular scenarios including fenestrated aortic endoluminal stent grafting and thoracic aortic stenting.
During the interactive case reviews, the session chairman presents final year trainees with a series of cases to assess and treat. Assessment is performed by the panel of experts.
