How to pass the MRCPsych examination

Dr Bruce Owen

Outcomes

• By the end of this session, participants will be able to – recognise one model of medical skills and how

they are assessed– Describe the structure, content and function of

the different parts of the assessment system in psychiatry

– Recognise the concept of learning styles and how to structure their learning for maximum effectiveness

“The most important things are not measured”W Edwards Deming

Two purposes of assessment

• Formative– ‘Assessment for

learning’

• Summative– ‘Assessment of learning

Miller’s pyramid

Does

Shows how

Knows how

Knows

Performance

Competence

Miller’s pyramid and assessment

Does

Shows how

Knows how

Knows

Performance

Competence

Written tests

MCQ/EMI

OSCE (CASC)

WPBA

360˚

CEX

DOPs

CbD

WPBA = Workplace based assessment

OSCE = Observed structured clinical examination

Outcomes

• By the end of this session, participants will be able to – recognise one model of medical skills and how

they are assessed– Describe the structure, content and function of

the different parts of the assessment system in psychiatry

– Recognise the concept of learning styles and how to structure their learning for maximum effectiveness

The Assessment System

• Includes:– Standardised (national) exams – mainly

summative– Workplace-based assessments – mainly formative– Integration – ultimately summative

National exams• Paper 1

– Clinical topics at a basic level– Basic psychology– Psychopathology– Social sciences

• Paper 2– Psychopharmacology– Neuroscience relevant– Epidemiology– Advanced psychology

• Paper 3– Research and ebm– All psychiatry specialties

National clinical exam

• CASC– 8 single stations 7 mins– 4 double/linked stations 10 mins

Miller’s pyramid and assessment

Does

Shows how

Knows how

Knows

Performance

Competence

Written tests

MCQ/EMI

OSCE (CASC)

WPBA

360˚

CEX

DOPs

CbD

WPBA = Workplace based assessment

OSCE = Observed structured clinical examination

WPBA in psychiatry

• Lots of acronyms, only four methods

Four core methods 1

• Based on documents:– Log book assessment– Case based Discussion

(Chart Stimulated Recall)

Four core methods 2

• Direct observation of a procedure– DOPS– DONCS– Teaching– Case presentation– Journal Club

presentation

Four core methods 3

• Observed clinical encounters– Mini-Assessed Clinical

Encounter– Assessment of Clinical

Expertise

Four core methods 4

• Multi-source feedback (360°)– Mini-Peer Assessment

Tool

Integration – the tasks of the Annual Review of Competency Progression

• Assess the evidence– Contained in Portfolio– Formal assessments– Reports

• Make a decision based on the evidence– Summative pass/fail

Guide for ARCP panels

• Guides trainees and trainers as to what should be assessed

• how it should be assessed• and at which stages

ARCP Guide for Core Psychiatry Training

http://www.rcpsych.ac.uk/training/curriculum2010.aspx

ARCP decisions: -

1. Progress onwards2. Need to develop -

within time3. Need to develop -

additional time4. Leave the programme5. Incomplete evidence

Outcomes

• By the end of this session, participants will be able to – recognise one model of medical skills and how

they are assessed– Describe the structure, content and function of

the different parts of the assessment system in psychiatry

– Recognise the concept of learning styles and how to structure their learning for maximum effectiveness

Learning/teaching activities

• Instructional activity• Simulation• Workplace activity• Reflection

Kolb’s Learning Cycle

Concreteexperience

Abstract conceptualisation

Active experimentation

Reflectiveobservation

Watching your trainer perform a risk assessment

Discussion of observations in supervision

Guided reading of psychiatric literature

Perform part of an interview contributing to risk assessment

Kolb (1984) Experiential learning: experience as the source of learning and development. Prentice Hall

Which type of learner are you?

• Reflector – watch and feel– Watch, think and review

• Theorist – watch and think– Think a problem through

• Pragmatist – do and think– Likes to apply new learning

• Activist – do and feel– Likes to experience new things

Thank you!

Any questions?