Diploma in Retrieval and Transfer Medicine (DRTM)

The Diploma in Retrieval and Transfer Medicine (DRTM) exam is for all medical and allied healthcare professionals active in the field of Retrieval and Transfer Medicine.

The exam focuses mainly on the retrieval of adult patients from one health care facility to another. Candidates will be expected to be competent in the assessment, management, triage and transfer of adult patients with a range of illnesses and injuries. A knowledge and understanding of retrieval co-ordination and a variety of land and air transport platforms will also be expected.

Exam Benefits

Formalise your transfer and retrieval experience with a qualification
Opportunity to demonstrate your competence in the assessment, management, triage and transfer of adult patients with a range of illnesses and injuries

Exam Format

The Diploma in Retrieval and Transfer Medicine examination will consist of two parts:

Part A
This is a written paper of 180 minutes duration consisting of up to 180 Single Best Answer (SBA) questions.

Part B
This is an Objective Structured Practical Examination (OSPE) consisting of up to 16 testing stations. A “standard” OSPE station will be of eight minutes duration, but there is the possibility that a small number of stations will be “double stations”, lasting 16 minutes.

Costs

Exam Fee: £760

Exam Eligibility

Candidates must be fully registered doctors, nurses, paramedics, or other practitioners. In the United Kingdom registration must be with the General Medical Council, the Nursing and Midwifery Council or the Health and Care Professions Council. For candidates based outside the UK, evidence of registration with the relevant regulatory professional body is required.

Required Experience

Candidates must have worked in their registered profession for at least 24 months full time (or part-time equivalent) at the time of application to sit the examination.
Candidates must have experience in prehospital and/or retrieval medicine including the transport of critically ill patients.
Experience gained must be six months full time or 12 months part-time. Part-time experience must demonstrate regular commitment.
Candidates who are within a relevant programme of training may apply at an earlier stage in order to sit the exam in the diet that is most appropriate to their overall training needs. However, it is expected that this experience will be a minimum of three months full time at the time of sitting the exam.
Experience must have been gained within the past five years.
Candidates must provide a letter of support from their clinical supervisor or equivalent, attesting to their experience.

Candidates are permitted four attempts in which to pass the examination.

Additional Information

Before applying for this exam, please ensure you have read and understood the relevant documentation.

Our Exam Policies and Procedures page will provide you with more general information about sitting an exam at the College.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where do I sent my supporting documents?

You can submit supporting documents electronically by scanning copies and emailing these to fphc.exams@rcsed.ac.uk. Alternatively, you can send it by post to the College address of FAO FPHC OFFICE, The Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh, Nicolson Street, Edinburgh, EH8 9DW.

Where do I send my supporting documents?

Surgical Examinations

You can submit supporting documents electronically by scanning copies and emailing these to surgical.exams@rcsed.ac.uk. Alternatively, you can send it by post to the College address of FAO Examinations Department, The Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh, Nicolson Street, Edinburgh, EH8 9DW.

FPHC Examinations - FIMC / DIMC / DRTM / DUMC

I want to withdraw from an examination, how do I do that?

You must advise the Examinations Department in writing (via email) that you wish to withdraw from an examination. Depending on when you request to withdraw, you may be asked to provide supporting evidence. If you withdraw before the closing date for application, there is no requirement to submit evidence. However, following the closing date, you will be required to submit evidence which must be received by the College within 14 days of the examination commencement date.

What are suitable reasons for withdrawing from an examination?

There are a number of number of reasons for needing to withdraw from an examination; these are:

medical reasons (illness prior or illness on the day of an examination)
compassionate grounds (e.g. bereavement)
unable to secure time off work

Can I get a full refund following my withdrawal from an examination?

Candidates who withdraw from an examination will be subject to a 20% administrative fee. 80% of your fee will be returned via the original payment method used to pay for the examination.

Will I be quarantined?

Occasionally candidates need to be quarantined. This depends on the examination session you are allocated to. For most examinations, we quarantine candidates who sat the morning examination session until the afternoon examination session has commenced. A light lunch is normally provided for you. You will receive information about whether you need to be quarantined in your candidate notice.

Can I keep my mobile phone and other electronic devices on my person?

When you register for the examination on the day, you will be asked to hand over your mobile phone and any other electronic devices (e.g. tablets, smartwatches) to the RCSEd Coordinator. Your device(s) will be placed in an envelope marked with your candidate number and stored securely in the RCSEd Administration Office while you undertake your examination.

When will my results be published?

Each examination varies. Results are normally published around 6 weeks after the examination has taken place. The intended results publication date will be stated on your candidate notice, and it will also be mentioned at your examination sitting.

Exam Details - Diploma in Retrieval and Transfer Medicine (DRTM)

Key Facts