Written by INDUS MED NEWS 13 August, 2025 7:17 am .
The flagship board exam simulation program EXAMTHALON- “Fastrack your way to success” was conducted at Jubilee Mission Medical College & Research Institute, Thrissur, Kerala, from July 27–28, 2025, alongside Mega EM Sono 2025. Organized under the auspices of the Emergency Medicine Association India, Academic College of Emergency Experts, and the World Health Organization Collaborating Centre for Emergency and Trauma (WHO CCET), South-East Asia Region, the 9th edition of this highly acclaimed postgraduate exam simulation concluded on a resounding note, reaffirming its position as one of the country’s most impactful academic platforms for emergency medicine trainees.
This year’s EXAMTHALON brought together 50+ final-year MD and DNB Emergency Medicine residents from across India, guided by over 45 experienced faculty members, in an immersive and rigorously structured simulation of real-world exam conditions. The program, refined over nearly a decade, continues to set benchmarks in academic excellence and clinical preparedness.
Participants underwent a full spectrum of assessments that mirrored the national board exam formats. These included real-time case presentations, 12 OSCE stations, 16 clinical spotters, and theory assessments, with all rotations meticulously planned to ensure equitable exposure to core disciplines such as trauma, medicine, surgery, pediatrics, obstetrics & gynecology, and psychiatry.
*residents giving their theory examinations and spotters
Each candidate had the opportunity to be assessed by at least four different senior examiners, and around 25 junior examiners ensuring varied and comprehensive feedback.
*Real-Time Case Presentation – residents presenting clinical case to senior examiners as part of the exam simulation
The OSCE component featured highly structured, manned stations aligned with MD, DNB, and MRCEM training objectives. Clinical skill stations covered a wide range of domains including airway management, PALS, POCUS, ACLS/ATLS algorithms, joint and nerve examinations, ENT and ophthalmology procedures, obstetric emergencies, dermatological assessments, communication skills, suturing & splinting skills, pedagogy, and psychiatric evaluations—emphasizing competency-based education.
*OSCE Skill Stations in Progress – Residents performing hands-on assessments at manned OSCE stations during the mock exam simulation.
In addition to the clinical assessments, dedicated feedback sessions were conducted, where faculty shared personalized insights and strategies for performance improvement. Special lectures on exam preparation techniques and keeping pace with recent advances in emergency medicine and a keynote session on charting the EM career journey were also delivered, blending academic rigor with practical wisdom.
The event was widely lauded for its scale, structure, and academic value. Delegates and faculty alike praised the efficiency and depth of the program, calling it a “landmark initiative in postgraduate medical education.”
“EXAMTHALON25 has evolved into more than just an exam prep event. It’s a high-impact academic experience that shapes clinical thinking and builds confidence,” remarked Dr. P.C. Rajeev, senior faculty and program coordinator.
“We find rotating 3-4 residents during the final exam difficult, it was amazing spectacle to see you rotate 52 candidates across the stations” commented another examiner, Dr Vineeth Chandran, Head of the department of Emergency Medicine, MIMS, Calicut.
Looking ahead, the organizing secretary Dr. Deo Mathew emphasized plans to expand EXAMTHALON into a multi-day event, combining exam simulations, case-based learning sessions, and intensive academic mentorship catering more participants. This evolution aims to ensure that every participant not only prepares for exams but also matures into a confident, evidence-based, and reflective practitioner.
*- Group Photograph of Delegates and Faculty – A commemorative image capturing the 9th edition of EXAMTHALON.
Another key highlight of this year’s EXAMTHALON was the concurrent Assessor Training Programme (ATP 2.0), designed exclusively for MD and DNB Emergency Medicine faculty. Over 50 assessors from across the state participated in this structured faculty development initiative, which aimed to standardize postgraduate emergency medicine assessments and enhance examiner competencies.
*Assessor Training Programme (ATP) Session – Faculty members engaging in interactive discussions and structured assessment training
The ATP combined interactive lectures, simulated OSCE assessments, and hands-on evaluation exercises to train participants in modern assessment principles, competency-based evaluation, and structured feedback techniques. Faculty members engaged in interactive sessions, simulated exercises, followed by debriefing and discussion sessions, enabling them to refine their skills in objective evaluation, error minimization, and uniform grading standards across the boards.
This initiative not only strengthened the network of trained examiners but also underscored Jubilee Mission Medical College’s leadership in faculty development and its commitment to raising the academic standards of emergency medicine training in India.
EXAMTHALON25 stands as a testimony to Jubilee Mission’s commitment to excellence in medical education and its leadership in developing future-ready emergency physicians.
Feedback –
Participant Feedback 1:
“This was truly something we needed before our exams. The sessions were insightful, well-structured, and gave us clarity not just about exam preparation but also future career directions. The faculty feedback was constructive and encouraging. We’ll definitely recommend this to our juniors in the coming years.”
— Final-year EM Resident, Participant – EXAMTHALON25
Participant Feedback 2:
“A big thank you to the organizing team and faculty for such a comprehensive and well-executed academic event. The program helped us identify our areas of improvement and boosted our confidence. It was a rare opportunity to learn directly from senior examiners and refine our clinical approach.”
— Resident Doctor, Participant – EXAMTHALON25
Related News:
- https://www.indusem.org/blog/super-scoreexamthalon24/
- https://www.indusem.org/blog/examthalon-2020-xcellence/
- https://www.indusem.org/examthalon2019-emulates-simulates/
- https://www.indusem.org/examathalon2017-preps-exam-going-emergency-physicians-india/
- https://www.indusem.org/blog/examthalon-back-with-a-bang/
- https://www.indusem.org/blog/imageem2-the-2nd-annual-point-of-care-ultrasound-skills-school-and-point-of-care-symposium-concludes-constructively-at-jubilee-medical-college-thrissur-kerala/
- https://www.indusem.org/blog/emson-x-examthalon-e2/
About INDUSEM:
The INDUSEM mission is to envision and implement the future of Patient Care across the world. The partnership brings together Expert Educators, Inquisitive Innovators and Physicians supporting Safe Patient Care across India, United States and the World. INDUSEM is the Top International Partnership across the World and brings together Institutions, Individuals and Initiatives focused on improving patient care globally. Till date INDUSEM has reached over 50,000 Experts and its reach continues to grow daily. For more information, visit www.indusem.org
About EMA
The Emergency Medicine Association was founded in 2015 during the INDUSEM2015 World Congress of Academic Emergency Medicine (WACEM) in New Delhi. EMA is the official voice of competent Emergency Experts, working towards provision of quality emergency care in India. The EMA is an organized Guild of Emergency Leaders in Health and Medicine, focused on developing, practicing and progressing Emergency Medicine. EMA has a strong relation with partner organizations, individuals and institutions across the world, which are geared towards potentiating growth. EMA has the support of the INDO-US Emergency and Trauma Collaborative, the Academic College of Emergency Experts in India and the Academic for Clinical Emergency Nursing in India. For More Information: www.emaindia.net
About ACEE
The Academic College of Emergency Experts was established by Leaders of INDUSEM to create a guild of expert clinicians who are have a mastery at providing safe patient care with high quality therapeutics based on latest evidence based medicine. The only Unique College in Asia ACEE only bestows affiliation after a rigorous coaching and testing process hereby maintaining its high standards of commitment to education and excellence. It surpasses the erstwhile ideology of existing academic colleges where affiliation is based on recommendation. There are multiple pathways to be a Fellow of the College namely Emergency Medicine, Emergency Pediatrics. Toxicology, Emergency Nursing Pathway etc. For More Information. Visit www.acee-india.org
About Jubilee Mission Medical College and Research Institute (JMMCRI)
Located in Thrissur, Kerala, India, nick-named by the people, “Poor Man’s Hospital, the Jubilee Mission Hospital was established in 1952, with a specific mission evident in the motto, “Service with love”. The School of Nursing was started in the year 1966 and the hospital was recognized by the Indian Medical Council (IMC) for Internship Training of Doctors (CRRI) in the year 1971. Later in 2003 it was recognised as a Medical College under Medical council of India (MCI) and commenced one of the pioneer MCI recognised academic emergency medicine residency programmes in India, that has churned out eminent alumni since 2012. Boasting one of the most vibrant teaching environments for medical students and post graduates while simultaneously providing care to nearly fifty thousands of patients every year, JMMCRI is one of the key partners of INDUSEM. For more information please visit http://jubileemissionmedicalcollege.org/index.html
About WHO-CCET:
The World Health Organization Collaborating Centre for Emergency and Trauma Care is head quartered at The Emergency Department of the JPN Apex Trauma Center, All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi and administers the region of Southeast Asia. The Overall vision of the Center is to strengthen and integrate Emergency & Trauma Care Services at all levels/facilities at sub-national, national and regional level to reduce the avoidable mortality, morbidities and disabilities burden. WHO-CCET Mission is to provide comprehensive mentorship to achieve standardize Emergency & Trauma Care at all levels/facilities of sub-national, national and regions. For More Information: https://whoccemcare.org/
