Chairing the PACES exam

Dr Graeme Dewhurst

The Role of the Chair of Examiners The role of the Chair of Examiners is: • To be an oasis of calm if/when all around are

getting nervous!! • To support the local host and team • To ensure the exam is conducted • according to regulations • To handle any untoward incidents • To supervise trainee examiners • Conduct pre- and post-cycle meetings • Assist with post-exam administration

Ensure the exam is conducted according to regulations

• There must be at least 9 examiners • Candidates must have photographic ID • Candidates must adhere to the centres hygiene and

infection control procedures and must dress appropriately.

• Candidates must be prevented from examining if his/her conduct is unprofessional, improper, inappropriate or likely to endanger patient safety

Full details of the regulations are available on the MRCP(UK) website

Chairs Briefing

• Introduce all the team • Hot topics • Any new changes • Calibration • Marking advice • Double jeopardy • Timings of stations • Bells…

Chairs briefing 2

• Reinforce what the pass standard is… • Put candidates at ease-we want to see

them demonstrate what they can do and understand

• Finish briefing by 0830 • Ensure team keeps to time….. • Ensure plenty written on marksheets

esp if poor candidate

Post-cycle meetings

• Discuss and report any issues • Project photos of candidates • Review the candidate scores • Agree which candidates should get counselling and

discuss poor performance on Skill G • Record adequate comments if candidate is

recommended for counselling • Ensure scenario assessment forms are completed

Handle any untoward incidents

• Candidates / patients / examiners turning up late

• Examiner illness • Candidate illness during exam… • Patient illness • Fire alarm • Last minute changes to scenarios • ….

http://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=patient+revived+with+smelling+salts&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&docid=nZpKYZ2WXcgWpM&tbnid=towg26OXRUpxiM:&ved=0CAUQjRw&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.gutenberg.org%2Ffiles%2F30089%2F30089-h%2F30089-h.htm&ei=1ownUpDgK6Ts0gXaxoDYBw&bvm=bv.51773540,d.ZG4&psig=AFQjCNFA23BIaNpM-NLg1L-LQxJ2XDK4kg&ust=1378410060329980

What else might be a challenge?

Wrong scenarios for stations 2, 4 & 5 Mobile phone issues Faulty equipment Examiners falling asleep Examiners knowing candidates Keeping up morale if candidates don’t

perform well……

http://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=floods+in+chcihester&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&docid=ziuj0sTImFMwYM&tbnid=Bvb9uDZLeOy06M:&ved=0CAUQjRw&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.dailymail.co.uk%2Fnews%2Farticle-2252030%2FFloods-leave-hundreds-homeless-Christmas---village-wonders-just-spent-1-2-million-flood-defences.html&ei=uosnUovsCeOL0AWX9oCoCw&bvm=bv.51773540,d.ZG4&psig=AFQjCNGcXAurMklou3jH7Ve6TB4q0JP1Yw&ust=1378409763107892

Supervise trainee examiners

Ensure trainees: • Attend the examiner briefing • Calibrate and shadow-mark Station 1 or 3 • Discuss marking and shadow-mark Station 2 or 4 • Calibrate and shadow-mark Station 5

What you’re looking for: • Concordance with examiners • Engaged, inquisitive and enthusiastic!

Assist with post-exam administration

• To comply with data protection legislation, delete any digital photos and/or spreadsheets containing candidate marks

• Complete the centre audit form, to be returned to the College in the PACES admin box

• Complete the trainee examiner form and return to the College in the PACES admin box

Finally….

Thank the host team! Thank the host management team eg

CEO, MD Remember just how much work has

gone into preparation…..