Home > Information for doctors >Tutorials > RECENT CHANGES TO THE MRCGP EXAMINATION

Author Dr Has Joshi

Submitted 22/12/98

MCQ - 4 times a year

No longer examining a single cohort of candidates

Results given in grades Passing grades:- A, B and C Grade -D- weakness Failing Grades:- E and F

Gradual Blurring of boundaries between different papers e.g.CRQ using MCQ techniques and MEQ using EMQS

Blue print for MRCGP Examination

A Factual knowledge

B Evolving Knowledge

C Evidence base of Practice

D Critical appraisal skills

E Application of Knowledge

F Problem solving- General

G Problem solving -case

H Personal care

I Written communication

J Verbal communication

K The practice context

L Regulatory frame work of practice

M The wider context

N Ethnic and Trans- cultural issues

O Values and attitudes

P Self awareness

Q Commitment to maintain standards

Modular MRCGP

Four modules

Paper-1

• Replacing MEQ and Section-1 CRQ
• assessing A,B,C,D,E,F,G,H,I,(J),K,M,N,

Paper-2

• Replacing MCQ paper and some elements of CRQ
• asessing A,B,C,(D),G,L,N

Consulting skills

• assessing G,H,J,(O)

Oral Examination

• assessing D,E,F,(G),H,J,K,M,(N),O,P,Q

MRCGP- Credit accumulation examination

• User friendly but not easy

Benefits of modular examination structure

• User friendly

• Candidate may choose to take a module every six months - excellent form of postgraduate education

• No rush to complete 2 assessments in 12 months thereby less disruption to training

• Modularization also offers other potential benefits - International MRCGP

Regulations

• Candidate must pass all 4 modules to pass the examination overall

• The modules may be taken at the same session or at different sessions, in any order-- no need to pass the written papers before taking the oral

• In case of failure - two further attempts allowed at each module

• All modules must be passed within three years of acceptance of the application for MRCGP Examination

The Results

• Results in each module will be reported as Fail, Pass or Pass with merit

• To pass the exam. Overall at least a pass grade must be achieved in in each of the 4 modules within three years of acceptance of application

• A pass with merit in 2 modules + a pass in other two will be reported as Overall pass with merit

• Pass with merit in all 4 modules or a pass with merit in 3modules + a pass in the 4th will mean a Pass with Distinction

Paper -1 3hours Examiner marked

• 12 or more questions to answer short note form answers and structured short answers

• Four question types

• Questions designed to test knowledge and interpretation of GP literature- section -1 CRQ

• Question testing evaluation and interpretation of written material e.g. Audit - CRQ section-2

• Questions which examine the ability to integrate and apply theoretical knowledge and professional values within the setting of primary health care in the UK- MEQ-type questions

• New question formats to test the skills in the context of changing face of primary care

Paper-1 1998

5- Questions - CRQ Format

7-Questions MEQ Format

The nuclear group for Paper -1 is in the process of developing a new format

1999 onwards new format Paper-1 will include new type questions which will incorporate the MEQ +CRQ approach in each question

Paper -2

• 3 hours to answer

• 2 sections

• 500 question to answer in all

• Section 1 400 questions - multiple True /False responses

• Section 2 100 questions consisting of Extended matching items and single best answer type items( stem followed by 5-6 items only one of which is correct)

• NO NEGATIVE MARKING

Oral examination

• Completely changed

• All candidates will take this component regardless of passing or failing written papers

• PEQ/Log diary - oral abolished

• 2 orals of 20 minutes each- 5 questions per oral- examining mainly in the areas of Communication, Values and attitudes and Personal & Professional growth

• 4 examiners examining a candidate will meet for 10 minutes after the oral to decide on Fail, Pass or Pass with merit award

Assessment of consulting skills

• Assessment of video recorded consultations is still the method of choice for a vast majority of the candidates

• A minority of the candidates will have a choice of submitting themselves for assessment of consulting skills by attending a Simulated surgery Examination. The numbers will be strictly limited and will normally be open to those candidates who have had insurmountable difficulty in making video recording of their consultations

Video recording- Requirements

• 15 consultations only each one of no more than 15 minutes duration

• Case mix involving at least two with children under 10 years of age and at least two with adults suffering from chronic medical condition

• Must submit a work book containing a tap log. Consultation assessment form and a detailed evaluation proforma

Simulated surgery

• 20 cases in all

• 10 candidates /day

• Results - Fail / Pass or Pass with merit

Five domains

• Data gathering- Interviewing and history taking

• Data gathering/ Doctor patient interaction- Examination/sensitivity

• Doctor patient interaction- Awareness of patient’s agenda

• Communication- Explanation

• Management- appropriate options

And Finally

“Many of us in the JCPTGP believe that, eventually, the MRCGP may become a de facto requirement for admission in to general practice as a principal. In the meantime, the JCPTGP has been pleased to recognise, in principle, that a pass in the MRCGP certainly subsumes and surpasses the standard set by summative assessment.”

Dr.Brian Keighley

Chairman-JCPTGP

BJGP-May 1998.

 

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