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  Sample MRCS Part B OSCE topics - (BASED ON SOME OF THE MOST RECENT, PAST QUESTIONS)
 
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 Structure of the exam and sample topics / questions
 
 Practical Stations (2 Stations)
  • Insertion of a chest drain
  • Suturing a wound
  • Fine needle aspiration and preparation of specimen slide
  • Debridement and washout of a contaminated wound
  • Insertion of a urethral catheter (what to do if no urine comes out after insertion)
 Communication Skills (2 Stations)
  • Breaking bad news station - (e.g. explian diagnosis of cancer, splenectomy)
  • Counselling
  • Consent for a procedure - (e.g. Hernia operation, OGD, Laparoscopy)
  • Telephone consultation - e.g. speak to a tertiary centre regarding patient transfer, patient who is bleeding post op
 Pathology and Microbiology (1 station each)
  • Tuberculosis
  • Clostridium DIfficile / Pseudomembranous colitis
  • Necrotizing fascitis
  • Temporal arteritis
  • Gallbladder cancer
  • Inflammatory bowel disease - Chrohn's/Ulcerative colitis
  • Thyroid disease - Thyroid cancer, MEN, Grave's Disease
 Physiology (2 Stations)
  • Hyperkalaemia - Treatment, normal values, causes, a use of hyperkalaemia in surgery (cardiothoracic surgery/transplant)
  • Hormornes produced by the adrenal gland
  • Acute renal failure
  • Fistula - pathology, management (SNAP acronym) etc
 Critical Care (1 Station)
  • ARDS
  • Interpretation of blood gases
  • Management of a patient with acute abdominal trauma - e.g. liver injury
 Anatomy (3 Stations)
  • Prosection (can be anything and everything)

  • Pay specific attention to upper and lower limb anatomy - Course of the sciatic nerve, popliteal fossa, femoral triangle, adductor canal (Hunters canal) - the margins/content, brachial plexus etc - Harold Ellis/Vishy Mahadevan Clinical Anatomy Book (see below) yellow clinical scenario sections contains scenarios which may be very useful in answering some of the questions encountered in the anatomy stations.

  • Pay attention to neuroanatomy - venous drainage of the brain (dural venous sinuses), menignes, ventricular system

  • Pelvic anatomy - peritoneal reflections of the bladder, rectum etc

  • Surface anatomy - Skull and formaina, course of cranial nerves, parotid gland and other salivary glands, quadratus femoris, rotator cuff, brachial plexus and injuries (ERBs, Klumpkes palsies) - some of examiners favourites

  • Anatomy stations will typically (somewhat loosely in certain cases) be related to a clinical scenario. Therefore expect one or two pathology questions within theses stations.
 Clinical Examination (3 Stations)
  • General examination (Cardio/respiratory exam - remember to examine the calves for DVTs)
  • Neurological examination - specific looking for certain cranial nerves or looking for posterior cerbellar signs, visual signs e.g. hemianopias (patientsmay be actors)
  • Ear examination
  • Varicose veins
  • Examine a hernia
  • MSK examination - Examination of the spine (don't forget the neurological component of the examination), Hip examination - patient may have had previous surgery!
  • Abdominal examination - RIF pain in a young woman
 History Taking (2 stations)
  • Various clinical presentations - common ones may include intermittent claudication, knee pain, PR bleeding, erectile dysfunction, haematuria / LUTS
 
 Preparation Material


          Preparation is key. Start at least 2-3 months in advance. We recommend the following books/resources:

    MUST HAVE BOOK(S):

    OSCEs for the MRCS Part B A Bailey & Love Revision Guide: A Bailey and Love Revision Guide: Pt... by Jonathan Fishman, Vivian A Elwell and Rajat Chowdhury

    This book covers all the subject areas covered in the exam therefore our top choice and a must have. Also covers clinical examinations, easy to read, concise.

    Also some candidates prefer Dr Exam(TM) series of MRCS preparation books -

    DrExam Part B MRCS OSCE Revision Guide: Applied Surgical Science and Critical Care, Anatomy and Surgical Pathology... by B. H. Miranda, K. Asaad and S. P. Kay - Book 1

    DrExam Part B MRCS OSCE Revision Guide: Clinical Examination, Communication Skills and History Taking Bk. 2 by B. H. Miranda, K. Asaad and P. E. M. Butler - Book 2

    The latter two also contain DVDs on clinical examination. They also cover anatomy, physiology and pathology.

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    ANATOMY

    Acland's DVD Atlas of Human Anatomy: "The Upper Extremity", "The Lower Extremity", "The Trunk", "The Head and... by Robert D. Acland (2003)

    AND

    Clinical Anatomy: Applied Anatomy for Students and Junior Doctors by Harold Ellis and Vishy Mahadevan

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    PHYSIOLOGY

    Applied Surgical Physiology Vivas by Mazyar Kanani and Martin Elliott

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    CRITICAL CARE

    Surgical Critical Care Vivas by Mazyar Kanani

    Royal College of Surgeons - Care of the Critically ill Surgical Patient (CCRISP) course manual

    We recommend you attend the above course (CCRISP) prior to exam however it is not essential. Alternatively you may wish to borrow the manual from someone who has already completed the course as the manual is useful in MRCS part B revision.

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    PATHOLOGY

    Surgical Pathology Revision by David Lowe

    OR

    General Pathology: Vivas- Questions You Will be Asked by David Lowe

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    MICROBIOLOGY

    No recommendations at presents. Let us know if you are aware of any good books

    Use online resources to learn about TB, C.diff, and other commonly encountered pathogens. (e.g. EMEDICINE/MEDSCAPE provides more than adequate resources on these topics)

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    CLINICAL EXAMINATION

    Bailey and Love Revision GUIDE book - See above

    Dr Exam Books - See above, The DVDs that come with these books are very useful in clinical examination practice

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    PRACTICAL SKILLS

    BASICS SURGICAL SKILLS DVD - Look through all the practical procedures, understanding of suture materials, prinicples of fine needle aspiration, infiltration of local anaesthetic

    YOUTUBE (TM) Videos - Chest drain insertion (also ATLS course manual)

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    REVISION COURSES

    There are a number of revision courses organised by the royal college and third parties. We have received mixed feedback regarding these courses especially given the cost of most of them are significantly higher than the exam. Therefore some trainees use one of the four attempts at part B as a trial attempt. None of the executive committee of The Master Surgeon Trust attended courses prior to the MRCS part A or B exams. However, we understand that different candidates have different circumstances and utilise different means of preparation. Therefore it is up to each candidate to consider whether or not they choose to attend a revision course. Given the feedback we have received we cannot recommend them at present.

    If you decide to attend a revision course please try to book a royal college (England or Edinburgh) course. They are expensive but reliable and need to be booked many month is advance. Sometimes even before you book the exam

     

    NB: PLEASE NOTE THAT THE ROYAL COLLEGE OF SURGEONS OF ENGLAND ORGANISES FREE OPEN DAYS UP TO 2-4 WEEKS BEFORE EACH EXAM. STUDENTS CAN VISIT THE COLLEGE, FAMILIARISE THEMSELVES WITH THE SURROUNDINGS, ATTEND FREE TUTORIALS AND LECTURES BY EXAMINERS / EXPERTS IN THE FIELD, VISIT THE SEPCIMENS LAB, GO THROUGH ANATOMY SPECIMENS, REVISE SURFACE ANATOMY ON SKULL SPECIMENS / DRY SKELETON, PRACTICE SUTURING AND OTHER PRACTICAL PROCEDURES.

    WE STRONGLY RECOMMEND YOU ATTEND ATLEAST ONE OF THESE SESSIONS.YOU WILL RECEIVE EMAILS WITH RELEVANT INFO REGARDING THE DATES AFTER BOOKING THE EXAM. IF YOU HAVE NOT RECIEVED THESE DATES PLEASE CONTACT THE COLLEGE.

     

    Disclosure: We do not receive any financial incentives / commission from AMAZON.COM(TM) or authors / publishers of any of the above listed books, courses or multimedia. Recommendations are based on feedback and peer group consultations. You may wish to purchase resources listed above from alternative retailers, suppliers, publishers or organisers.

    Please click here to send us feedback about this article, add further clinical topics/sample questions or books/resources you recommend.

     

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Last updated on the 30/06/2014 
 
 
 
 
 
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