ALL YOU NEED TO PASS YOUR MRCGP CSA EXAM!

Timing

For 3 hours

Only 13 consultations with 2 minute breaks in between

One 15 minute break half way through.

Consultations

Consultations may be surgery, telephone or home visit

Candidates sit in their own consultation room unless home visit

Patients and examiners come to you

All patients are trained role players

Some consultations involve parents consulting about their babies/Children.

Paperwork

All 13 case histories are in a folder on your desk at the beginning

Notes made on patient histories will not be marked.

Physical examinations

Some physical examinations may be required

More invasive/ time consuming examination results will be offered on request.

Prescriptions

Blank prescriptions are supplied – they will be marked if written.

You may also tell the examiner/ patient what you would prescribe. This will

also count towards your mark.

Equipment and ID required

You need to remember your own equipment:

– Stethoscope

– Peak flow meter and mouth pieces

– Ophthalmoscope

– Auroscope

– Patella hammer

– Tape measure

– BNF

– ID required:

– 2 pieces of ID

– 1 piece must have photograph and signature

– Bring marriage certificates if appropriate

 Equipment provided

Some information is provided such as:

– growth charts

– obstetrics wheels.

Essential information can be found attached below about what to bring,

At least 3-4 times per year – currently 5 times per year:

Jan-Feb

May

September/October

Nov-Dec

Please note that you need to apply 2 months before the exam date.

You can use this link: CSA application

ST3 candidates

At least 6 months’ experience in general practice. 

See lots of patients – CSA cases are based on real GP cases

Use COTs (videos) and consider performance against performance criteria

Have shared surgeries with your trainer

Form a study group and role play cases

Assess your own clinical outcomes

Common physical examinations

In an exam situation, only certain physical examinations can be feasibly tested;

Be familiar with these and become slick at performing them.

For the main systems, the emphasis is on targeted, relevant examinations.

MSK: Shoulder, elbow, wrist, hands, back, neck, knees, ankles, feet.

ENT: Ears (demonstrate correct technique), throat

Eyes: Pupils, fundoscopy (demonstrate correct technique), fields, acuity

CNS: Targeted aspects eg. Cerebellum, facial movements, Rinne’s and Weber’s tests

PNS: Tests for radial, ulnar, median nerve lesions. May need to demonstrate reflexes

CVS: Assess for cardiac failure/ fluid status, BP, pulses

Endocrine: Thyroid

Most other examinations cannot easily be performed without taking the patient to the examination couch.

This may be expected in the exam but usually a sheet of paper with exam results will be given if a candidate explains which examinations they would like to do.

Be specific in telling the patient which examinations you would do and why.

You need to be sure the examiner knows what you are thinking.

Become familiar with common results:

– Blood tests

– Radiology

– ABPIs

– MMSE

Common examination findings eg: tinnel’s test positive/ straight leg raise 30 degrees etc.

– Dexa results