Personal notes on the MRCP parts 1, 2, and

PACES
Dr Carl J Reynolds
March 21, 2011

Introduction

A plan of attack is necessary. Here is mine.

Part 1

2.1

Timing

I began approximately 6 months before the exam.

2.2

Books

Easterbrook Basic Medical Sciences for MRCP Part 1 - read whole of it, good book
Kalra Essential Revision Notes for MRCP 2nd Edition - read parts

2.3

On line question banks

The whole onexamination questionbank for part 1 twice

2.4

Courses

Didnt go on one but think it would have been useful to help to focus efforts on high
yield facts

2.5

Result

Passed first time with an average score.

3
3.1

Part 2
Timing

I began approximately 6 months before the exam.

3.2

Books

Sharma Rapid Review of Clinical Medicine for MRCP Part 2: Pt. 2 - read whole of it
and made notes, v.good book for the exam

3.3

On line question banks

The whole passtest questionbank for part 2 once

3.4

Courses

Sharma Medibyte MRCP II Written Courses Module C - 2/3 April

3.5

Result

Failed first time then repeated having done Sharma weekend course and made notes on
Sharmas book with an average score.

Paces

4.1

Timing

I began approximately 3 months before the exam.

4.2

Books

Cases for Paces by Stephen Hoole, read whole of it and made notes, v.good book for
the exam
Ryder Gold for communication skills, read bits and used for practice

4.3

Practice

Get a partner to regularly practice seeing patients with

Get as many different consultants/registrars to watch you seeing patients as possible
Use mrcpuk website to study mark schemes and exam structure

4.4

Courses

Passpaces course - not v.good but helpful to get a feel for standard expected early on
Ealing paces course - v.good, plenty of good relevant cases and excellent teachers

4.5

Specific tactics

Use template as appropriate

For each problem: what is it, how is it affecting you, how is it changing (better/worse/same), any investigations and treatments, next problem.
PC, HPC, PMSH, DAH, FH, SH, SR
DDx, Ix, Mx, P&C
remembering ICE, how is affecting you? and close with summary, so weve chatted
about and agreed x, is that right? anything else you wanted to discuss? no bye
then
Remember scoring system. Youre scored for:
A Physical examination
B Identifcation of signs
C Clinical communication skills (define purpose of interview, open questions initially, no jargon, *include systems review*, establish how symptoms affect patient,
*summarizes and checks information to summarise.... is that right?*)
D Differential diagnosis (have a problem list)
E Clinical judgement (investigations and management plan that addresses problems, mention MDT, specialist nurse, pt information, and referring pt to a specialist
as appropriate)
F Manages patient concerns (*summarises and checks information to summarise....
is that right?*, elicit concerns and respond to them, empathetic)
G Maintains patient welfare (introduce yourself, ensure patient comfort)
Station 1 Abdo and Resp (A. B, D, E, G) (Ask if pain at start)
Abdo 10mins, 5-6mins exam, 4-5 mins presentation and discussion
Resp 10mins, 5-6mins exam, 4-5 mins presentation and discussion
Station 2 History taking skills (C, D, E, F, G)
Either making a diagnosis or pt with chronic disease where diagnosis is clear but
must review previous investigations, treatments, and search out possible complications
Read GP referral and make notes (structure, key points, ddx) 5 mins
With pt, Introduce self, define purpose of interview, open question. PC 5mins inc
patient concerns, past medical, drug, and family history 4mins, social history inc
EtoH and smoking 4mins, review history with patient 1min (to summarise...is this
right?), anything else weve not covered youd like to mention? thanks (end), prepare thoughts/*problem list* (medical probs, social probs, concerns or complaints
about treatment)
Discussion 5mins
3

 Station 3 CVS and Neuro (A. B, D, E, G) (Ask if pain at start)

CVS 10mins, 5-6mins exam, 4-5 mins presentation and discussion
Neuro 10mins, 5-6mins exam, 4-5 mins presentation and discussion
Station 4 Ethics and communication skills (C, E, F, G)
Read scenario 5mins
Be with patient 14mins, review history with patient 1min (to summarise...is this
right?), anything else weve not covered youd like to mention? thanks (end) 1
mins reflection
Discussion 5mins
Station 5 Integrated clinical assessment (skin, endocrine, mskel, and eyes) (A-G)
Brief clinical consultation 1, Focused history and targeted examination 8 mins,
discussion 2 mins
Brief clinical consultation 2, Focused history and targeted examination 8 mins,
discussion 2 mins
8 min with pt.
Introduce self and define purpose of interview
3 min history inc pt concerns and how affecting life (desc problem, investigation&treatment, hows that affecting you now, next)
3 min examination
2 min explain plan and any other concerns, review history with patient 1min
(to summarise...is this right?), anything else weve not covered youd like to
mention? thanks (end)
2 min discussion
*Must identify pt concerns*
*Must identify clinical problem*

4.6

Result

Pending......Update 21/03/2011 - Passed first time :-)