The mental state examination is the physical examination equivalent for psychiatric patients, and as such psychiatrists in training are assessed on how well they can prepare and deliver one. Recent changes to the RANZCP clinical examination marking proforma mean that the mental state examination component of the OI presentation is now assessed formally and worth 20% of the marks. In addition, failing this component of the examination means a fail in the OI (observed interview).But many psychiatrists in training learn how to do a mental state examination, and identify phenomenology from textbooks rather than clinical teaching. When we asked Dr Jon-Paul Khoo, a consultant psychiatrist and educator in Brisbane to speak to a group of registrars at our recent P2P dinner meeting on the subject of the MSE, the feedback was excellent. Dr Jon-Pail Khoo was able to discuss terminology, provide examples and discuss fatal flaws when presenting the MSE.
We have now made available the DVD of this most valuable and informative discussion.
And what about the new changes to the RANZCP clinical examination?
At the recent P2P dinner meeting, Dr Curt Gray, chair for the committee for examinations presented information about the format of the OI (formerly the OCI) and the OSCE, providing useful information of how to approach both components of the clinical examination. Once again, this presentation was valuable for registrars preparing for the clinical examinations, and provided an approach for dealing with the examinations on the day.
Both DVDs are now available with the Power Point slidesb from our website.
