Diploma in Experimental Therapeutics
Announcement
The next DET exam will be held on 24 October 2023
All FPM exams are delivered online with remote invigilation in 2023.
The next DET exam will be held on 24 October 2023
All FPM exams are delivered online with remote invigilation in 2023.
The Diploma in Experimental Therapeutics (DET) is intended for physicians conducting Phase I/II studies predominantly in patients within their clinical specialty, such as oncology or rheumatology, in a hospital clinical research facility.
The Diploma in Experimental Therapeutics (DET) is an 18-month training programme and qualification. The DET programme is intended for physicians conducting Phase I/II studies within their particular specialty. The overall purpose of the DET programme is to enable trainees to attain and demonstrate competence to serve as a principal investigator (PI) for exploratory clinical studies of investigational medicinal products (IMPs) within their area of specialisation. Such studies will typically involve patients, in which the primary end-points are tolerability, pharmacokinetics and evidence of drug effects on biomarkers of efficacy and safety. The training in practical aspects of working as a PI is underpinned by a knowledge of the scientific basis of drug action.
The DET programme includes supervised, structured workplace training with production of a portfolio of completed work, reflective learning and evidence of appropriate clinical and investigator skills. In addition trainees are required to attend three courses. These cover exploratory drug development including ‘first-in-human’ studies (5 days) and drug development pharmacology (5 days) at an advanced level. The two 5-day courses are run at King’s College London. In addition to post-course tests and assignments, there is also an exam administered by FPM.
DET is aimed at doctors working in contract research organisations and also NHS doctors working in various specialities such as oncology, rheumatology, experimental medicine and clinical pharmacology, who are involved in early clinical trials of investigational medicines.
Acquisition and maintenance of up-to-date clinical skills including satisfactory completion of an Advanced Life Support or equivalent course.
DET candidates take the Certificate in Human Pharmacology exam which is administered by FPM. The exam is a multiple-choice question paper focusing on scientific knowledge from across the syllabus.
In addition, those who have successfully completed the DET curriculum will be required to have gained a Certificate of Completion of Training (CCT) in their specialty before the Diploma can be awarded.
Further information on the course programme is included in the DET Candidate Guide and Syllabus (pdf).
Information on eligibility is included in the DET Candidate Guide and Syllabus (pdf).
The fee for enrolling on the DET programme is £2500 which covers administration of the programme and the examination. Fees for the teaching and materials associated with the DET courses are charged separately by the provider, King’s College London. The fee does not include travel or accommodation expenses.
Programme registrations are currently not accepted but you can submit an expression of interest by emailing exams@fpm.org.uk.
DET candidates take the Certificate in Human Pharmacology exam.
All FPM exams are being held online with remote invigilation.
Paper 1 (MCQ) – 13: 30 – 24 October 2023
All times are as for the UK so GMT (BST).
Withdrawal Policy:
A candidate who withdraws from the exam must do so via email.
A handling fee of £75.00 will be charged to candidates who withdraw after the application deadline.