Are you aware of the changes to the RANZCP clinical examinations?

Hi all,

Hope the examination preparation is going well for those of you preparing to sit the RANZCP clinical examinations in May.

You may not be aware, but the college has met and made changes to the marking proforma for the OCI component of the clinical examinations, due to take effect in time for the May clinicals. Please refer to http://www.ranzcp.org/fellowship/examinations-changes-and-news.html for the correct information.

The most significant change is the omission of the ‘global rating’ score, which used to attract 30% of the marks. This score was always difficult to quantify, and hence we think it is a good move to remove it. However, that doesn’t mean that your presentation skills are any less relevant.

The ability to synthesise and present a sophisticated mental state examination will be formally tested, rather than fall under other domains such as data synthesis. Hence, this component of the presentation will need to be more polished than ever to attract maximum marks.

How can you learn more about these changes and practice them before the May 2010 clinicals?

1. By attending our Present to Pass 1.5 day workshops, held in Melbourne (see our website for dates). Our first course in a few weeks time is full, and the one scheduled for late March has only 2 spots left, but there are still places at our April course. Come along and participate in a session that focuses on presenting succinct and sophisticated mental state examinations, as well as brush up on skills required for all other domains of the clinical examinations. Our ‘examiners’ on the second day will be focusing particularly on how you present your mental state examinations when you have your opportunity to present a case.

2. Come along to our dinner meeting in Brisbane on 25 March, where Dr Curt Gray, RANZCP committee for examinations member will explain the changes in more detail. Once again, all the information can be found on our website, and places are filling fast. Thanks to Avant for subsiding some of the cost of this event.

Let us know what you think of these new changes by replying to this blog. Happy studying!

Gearing up for the clinical exams

It might just be my imagination, but it seems registrars are getting prepared earlier and earlier for the clinical examinations.

We have almost filled 2 courses for Present to Pass® this year, and it’s only the beginning of February! This year we are running three courses before the May clinicals, which is a good thing as they are sure to fill up soon.

And we have had a great early response from the Queenslanders who are reserving their spot at our inaugural Present to Pass® dinner meeting. For those of you who haven’t heard, we are running a special 3 hour event with dinner in Brisbane on Thursday 25 March 2010, starting at 6pm. We thank Dr Curt Gray and Dr Jon-Paul Khoo for confirming their attendance as speakers on the night, where we will address the clinical examinations, and present a ‘live’ OSCE for comment and discussion. More details can be found on our website www.cpdformulations.com.au, and there are still a limited number of places available.

It looks as if we’ll need to announce a meeting in Perth for later in the year, if the popularity for the Brisbane meeting is anything to go by!

As always, good luck with your examination preparation!

Regards,
Helen