TY - JOUR T1 - Getting ready to sit a HERMES examination: practical issues and tips JF - Breathe JO - breathe SP - 164 LP - 169 DO - 10.1183/20734735.001713 VL - 9 IS - 3 AU - Julie-Lyn Noël Y1 - 2013/03/01 UR - http://breathe.ersjournals.com/content/9/3/164.abstract N2 - A HERMES examination in adult respiratory medicine or in paediatric respiratory medicine is a knowledge-based examination with 90 multiple-choice questions (MCQ) in English. Condidates can sit a HERMES examination during the ERS Annual Congress or locally in the Netherlands or Russia in collaboration with those countries′ national societies. Each HERMES examination MCQ has a clinical focus reflecting real-life practice in adult or paediatric respiratory medicine. Taking a HERMES examination is a valuable benchmarking exercise for the participants. Each MCQ undergoes a rigorous process of formulation and validation by European representatives who ensure that state-of-the-art practices as well as authentic professional situations are illustrated. A participant is therefore given the opportunity to keep abreast of new developments in the field and verify and update their knowledge. If participating as a trainee, the examination can be used as a driver for learning. If sitting the examination for self-assessment, candidates can benchmark themselves against their peers and identify their potential educational needs. Participation in the examination in order to earn the European diploma demonstrates commitment to life-long learning and continuous professional development. Several positive actions follow the decision to take a HERMES examination: 1) getting ready by studying for the examination; 2) sitting the examination itself; 3) identifying potential educational needs based on the results; and 4) planning and attending educational activities to address these needs. These positive actions are geared towards ensuring the best possible care for patients, which is the ultimate goal of all HERMES programmes. Producing an actual HERMES examination paper follows a rigorous process with strict quality control in collaboration with the Institute of Medical Education at the University of Berne in Switzerland, the ERS examination committees and the MCQ authors. Everyone involved in the production of the HERMES examination paper is committed to ensuring the quality … ER -