HERMES examinations: Opportunities for national and regional societies

National societies from any location have the option to host a HERMES self-assessment course in their own country and provide their members with a local opportunity to access a European-standard formative assessment.

Designed to train local specialists and trainees in respiratory medicine, access to these courses is especially useful for people who plan to take the ERS HERMES examinations in adult or paediatric respiratory medicine.

How does the self-assessment course work?

The course provides a unique opportunity to test candidates’ applied knowledge in respiratory medicine and features 30 multiple-choice questions taken from the ERS HERMES examination as part of a one-hour mock examination, followed by a two-hour discussion with an ERS expert.

For an agreed fee, ERS provides everything required for the course to take place, including the shipping of examination materials, administration, logistics and one ERS expert. The national society will then promote the course to its members, who can register for a set fee.

How does the self-assessment course benefit a national society’s members?

• It offers a ‘real-life’ clinical focus and efficient testing method
  The multiple-choice questions are based on detailed clinical vignettes from real-life situations and candidates must use their applied knowledge to answer the questions. This higher level of assessment tests the candidates in a more efficient way than simple questions.
• It is a good performance indicator
  As an ERS HERMES initiative, this assessment is an opportunity for participants to get an indication of their performance/level of knowledge using questions from the ERS HERMES examinations.
• An on-site expert ensures thorough understanding
  Candidates have a unique opportunity to openly discuss the questions and answers with a member of the ERS HERMES Examination Committee or a committee-approved MCQ author.
• It is ideal preparation for the ERS HERMES examinations
  The questions are selected from the ERS HERMES examination, this course is an ideal preparation for candidates wishing to sit the HERMES examinations in adult and paediatric respiratory medicine.
• It means reduced costs but more convenience
  In hosting a self-assessment course, a national society is making it more accessible and convenient for its members while also removing the cost of travel.