Preparing trainees for the MRCPsych examinations

Abstract

This article is aimed at organisers of courses for the Royal College of Psychiatrists' membership examinations (MRCPsych) and College tutors preparing trainees for the MRCPsych. Running revision courses requires planning and a good deal of work but should be possible for most MRCPsych preparation courses. The theoretical background of assessments is explained. An overview of the type of examination used in the MRCPsych is provided and advice as to how trainees can best prepare for them given. Advice is given on the recruitment and retention of examiners for mock clinical exams, how to deal with simulated patients and what equipment is useful to buy for the use of trainees. We also explain how trainees can practice for the written papers and how feedback is best given to them. The new MRCPsych formal examination and workplace-based assessment programme are also discussed.

International Medical Graduates (IMGs) in the UK—a Systematic Review of Their Acculturation and Adaptation

“…The Royal College of Psychiatrist's annual report (2008)(2009) stated that the pass rate for UK graduates was 87.5 % compared to 48.5 % for non-UK graduates in Autumn 2008, and in Spring 2009, it was 76 % success rate for UK graduates and 47.7 % for non-UK graduates. Regular mock exams as part of a postgraduate course could help the overseas graduates to gain necessary clinical knowledge and skills (Oyebode and Furlong 2007;Vassilas et al 2007). Roberts et al (2000) investigated the reason for lower success rate among Asian doctors passing oral exams of MRCGP using sociolinguistic analysis.…”

A new era in psychiatric training and assessment

“…One of the major tasks for PMETB has been to provide guidelines and principles for assessment of train ees. These basic principles are outlined by Vassilas and colleagues in their article in this issue of APT (Vassilas et al, 2007).…”