MFSEM Written case studies
MFSEM Written · Put your knowledge to work in context.
MFSEM (Written) is the written paper of the Membership examination of the Faculty of Sports and Exercise Medicine, the postgraduate qualification doctors working in sports and exercise medicine use to demonstrate specialty-level knowledge. It is aimed at physicians in training or in post - sports and exercise medicine trainees, general practitioners with a sport and exercise interest, and clinicians attached to teams, clubs or event medical services - who need to show they can reason across exercise science, musculoskeletal injury, medical problems in athletes, and the operational side of team and event care. The MFSEM Written case studies are 5 cases and about 3,768 words.
1The championship marathon in the heat: fluid, sodium and a 36-hour arrival
A 34-year-old club runner (mass 70 kg, marathon PB 3:05) is entered in a championship marathon forecast at 31°C and 65% relative humidity (WBGT approximately 28°C). She flies in 36 hours before the race.
734 words, about 4 min2A 19-year-old fast bowler with a lumbar bone stress injury and a tour in 10 weeks
A 19-year-old right-arm fast bowler reports 6 weeks of unilateral low back pain that worsens with lumbar extension and with bowling, and settles within an hour of rest. He has no night pain, no neurological symptoms and no history of trauma.
733 words, about 4 min3Exertional syncope, an abnormal ECG and a championship in 9 days
A 22-year-old male university rower is brought to the medical tent after a brief blackout at the end of a 2 km ergometer test. There was no prodrome, no seizure activity and no injury; he was confused for about 20 seconds and has recovered fully.
758 words, about 4 min4Two collapsed runners, one ice bath too few
At kilometre 19 of a half marathon on a 30°C day (WBGT 27°C), a 41-year-old runner collapses. He is confused and agitated, and his skin is hot and dry; rectal temperature is 41.3°C, heart rate 148, blood pressure 105/60 and capillary refill is 3 seconds.
738 words, about 4 min5An injection before the cup final: glucocorticoids, salbutamol and a supplement
A 27-year-old international midfielder with well-controlled asthma (salbutamol 100 µg MDI, up to 10 puffs during a match) develops acute severe lumbar pain 5 days before a cup final. The team doctor proposes intramuscular betamethasone 12 mg plus local anaesthetic to 'settle it and get him through', and asks you to sign the paperwork.
805 words, about 4 min