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Website design by Dr Alexis Bowers, Specialist Registrar |
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ST MARY’S GENERAL ADULT AND OLD AGE PSYCHIATRY TRAINING SCHEME |
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MRCPsych |
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The new format of the MRCPsych assessment programme, scheduled for introduction in Spring 2008, will involve change to both the written and clinical components of the exam. The new exam will integrate national assessment with local appraisal in line with the training changes implemented following the introduction of Modernising Medical Careers.
It is proposed that the following changes to the MRCPsych examinations be implemented:
In order to obtain the MRCPsych qualification candidates will be required to pass three written papers and a clinical examination (OSCE).
Candidates will also be expected to complete a number of work place based assessments to a set standard to be eligible for the examination
Formal documentation of achievement of clinical skills to specific training levels will be required for each component of the exam.
Candidates will also be expected to complete a minimum of 8 Assessed Clinical Encounters (ACEs) as well as a number of other Workplace Based Assessments 3 ACEs will be assessed by a validated College approved assessor, with these marks counting towards the final clinical mark of the OSCE (implementation from August 2010) as part of a summative assessment.
Prior to commencing advanced training it is expected that trainees will have reached the competency level of CT3 including passing all components of the MRCPsych examinations. The permitted timeframes for the examinations includes remedial training times at core levels.
Paper One (Permitted Timeframe: Mandatory minimum of 12 months Specialist training. Maximum of 24 months of Specialist training by end of CT2) will be a basic paper. This paper will consist of a number of multiple choice questions (MCQs)1 from 5 single best answer, and extended matching questions (EMQs) centering on areas such as history taking, treatment explanation and record keeping. Paper Two (Permitted Timeframe: to be taken between 12 and 48 months of Specialist training by end of CT2/3) will be a more specialist paper using a similar variety of format of questions – 1 from 5 single best answer, and EMQs. This paper will concentrate on areas such as psychotropic drugs, advanced psychology and neuropsychiatry. Paper Three ( Permitted Timeframe to be taken between 12 and 48 months of Specialist training by end of CT3) will contain complex knowledge-based EMQs and MCQs-1 from 5 single best answers testing- a) clinical areas of psychiatry, mapping on to the specialty areas (including general adult as a specialty) of knowledge expected at this level of training, and b) critical appraisal of research relevant to clinical practice.
Further Information can be gained from the Royal College of Psychiatrists Website |