Diploma in the Medical Care of Catastrophes
Established 1994
The Diploma is designed to demonstrate thorough specialist knowledge for those
practitioners who are required to provide a medical and surgical response at the
scene of major man-made and natural disasters. It is intended for civilian and
military physicians, surgeons, dentists and nurses, who will work as members of
medical response teams.
By means of a series of training modules, it co-ordinates the preparation of
personnel and establishes a level of skill for those working in the catastrophe
situation. It is also intended to provide a means by which organisations can identify
suitable personnel from those who volunteer to respond to such worldwide crises.
The Diploma is designed to assess the candidate's cross-specialty and organisational
knowledge and awareness for the provision of a variety of medical and surgical
responses.
Current Format
The Examination may be attempted in one or two parts. Entry requirements
are as follows:
Part I - completion of Modules 1-5
Part II - success at Part I and completion of Modules 6-7
The examination is split into two parts in order to assist those candidates who
need time to prepare suitable material for Module 6 (the dissertation). Both parts
may be taken together, provided that all 7 modules have been completed and the
candidate has at least 2 years' postgraduate experience.
The Society holds a library of dissertations written by diplomates and candidates
are welcome to visit the Hall, by appointment, to study these volumes in preparation
for the Part II.
New Format Examination
A new format for the examination will be introduced from February 2011 and will
apply to all new candidates from that date.
The Diploma will be in one part, rather than the current two, and the examination
will comprise a written, short answer question paper and an objective structured
clinical and skills examination. Candidates will sit both elements on the same
day or subsequent days.
Full details will be provided in due course in revised versions of the Guide to
the Diploma and the Administrative Guidance to Candidates.
Current Candidates
Those candidates who have already passed the current Part I examination will be
eligible to take the Part II dissertation examination in the usual way. However,
the time available in which to take the Part II (4 years from the date of passing
Part I) will be strictly applied. Existing candidates who are considering taking
the second part are therefore advised to ensure that they sit it before expiry
of the 4-year period.
Further Information
In addition to the London dates, the Examination is also held, each March, at
the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, Maryland,
and in the Netherlands in February and September.
The Society also runs a 12-month course designed to be taken either as a whole
or in modules to fulfil the requirements for admission to the examination. It
is held in London on alternate Saturday mornings and begins each January. Details
are available from the link at the bottom of this page or from the Course Administrator
(FacultyCC@apothecaries.org).
Guide to the Diploma in The Medical Care of Catastrophes (DMCC)
(incorporating
the Regulations and Syllabus)
Administrative Guidance for Candidates
List of successful dissertations 1994 - 2009
Application forms for the new format examination will be available in due course.
Application forms (Other)
Request for special examination arrangments: Form Q
Examination Review and Appeal Procedure
Examination Review and Appeal Procedure
Useful links
Catastrophe & Conflict Medicine course
RSM Catastrophe & Conflict Forum
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