I am sharing some of my thoughts on how to pass it easily.
TOP TEN TIPS TO HELP YOU PASS YOUR CSA EXAM.
1. Decide when you are going to take it very early on. It may sound silly but it is vital. Ideally you must have atleast 3-6 months to actively work and practise various consultations styles and to get the one which suits naturally to you.
2. Make sure you have got specific days for videoing your consultations. So you will get used to it and use them to get the vital feedback from your trainer. I learnt so much just by watching myself (boring many times…)
3. Request your colleagues to give a structured constructive criticism so that you can identify and improve over the coming weeks.
4. Do not be pressurised to go for 10 minutes consultation earlier on. Start at 20 minutes and gradually work down to 10 minutes about 1-2 months before your BIG day. Still have catch up slots in between. Take it easy on you!5. Use all opportunities as your exam practice. Take your time to identify patients’ ICE, PSO, expectations and also to explain your thoughts in simple non jargon language and GIVE management Options!6. Make a note of anything you are struggling with and ask your Trainer or fellow GPs/ colleagues.7. Use www.patient.co.uk leaflets in your consultations. It is the best buddy in my csa preparation!8. Have more joint surgeries with your Trainer! It would be extremely useful particularly if you are an IMG like me. You won’t believe! I learnt a lot just in one day by requesting my trainer to role play difficult cases like explaining genetical conditions, ethical dilemmas, breaking bad news, etc.
Please promise me that you will do it.
9. Utilise all your OOH sessions/ oncall duty days to practise your relevant laser targeted questions ( no more 5 page clerking like a medical student).
I intentionally did extra OOH sessions just to get more experience in consultation skills from my fantastic, enthusiastic OOH trainers. Thats how I met Dr Bruno Rushforth in one of my Bradford OOH sessions who gave you an article.
10. Read Roger Neighbour (Inner consultation) or Liz Moulton ( Naked consultation) books. They need no introduction! They will highlight the point that how simple complaints can often have in depth problems and how we can miss out if we do not explore it further deep just by not asking ONE VITAL question!
Other books are:
1. Get through New MRCGP: Clinical Skills Assessment – Bruno Rushforth( I think this is the best for roleplay)
2. nMRCGP – Practice cases, Clinical Skills Assessment – Raj Thakkar.
3. CSA Scenarios – Thomas M Das.
4. Consultation Skills for the new MRCGP – P Naidoo & C. Monkley.
One more Bonus Tip:
Utilise your family and friends to practise your examination skills! There are lot of videos in youtube!!!
You will be Smart and Sleek on your BIG Day!
Woo – Hoo!
To Your Success,
Hema xoxo.
