www.csapass.co.ukThe only course you need to attend to be successful in the
MRCGP CSA Examination
Lecture 1: The CSA Examination
Dr Kunal Chandarana
&
Dr Pippa Jones
www.csapass.co.uk
The aim of the CSA is to test the following skills:
1. Data Gathering & Clinical Practical Skills
2. Clinical Management (Primary Care Level)
3. Interpersonal Skills
Aim:
www.csapass.co.uk
Characteristics of passing / failing candidates
The table above was taken from: www.rcgp.org.uk
www.csapass.co.uk
Characteristics of passing / failing candidates
The table above was taken from: www.rcgp.org.uk
www.csapass.co.uk
Characteristics of passing / failing candidates
The table above was taken from: www.rcgp.org.uk
www.csapass.co.uk
Characteristics of passing / failing candidates
The table above was taken from: www.rcgp.org.uk
www.csapass.co.uk
A total of 3 points for each of the following sections:
1. Data Gathering & Clinical Practical Skills
2. Clinical Management
3. Interpersonal Skills
Clear Pass = 3/3
Pass = 2/3
Fail = 1/3
Clear Fail = 0/3
Total per case = 9
How is the CSA exam marked?
www.csapass.co.uk
• The pass mark varies from day to day
• Your scores are added up for all of your 13 cases (Total available mark = 9 x 13 =117).
• In addition to scoring you, there is a ‘borderline for the MRCGP box’, that the examiners tick if they felt you were borderline for the MRCGP for that case.
• The mean scores for the ‘borderline’ candidates for each of the 13 cases are added together to set the pass mark for the day.
• The pass mark is usually in the 70s / 117.
How is the pass mark derived?
www.csapass.co.uk
• 13 Cases
• The patients notes are on the iPad on your desk
• Before the examination starts: 10 – 15 minutes to read through your cases and put your equipment on the table (you can make notes on the white board provided if you wish)
• Each case is 10 minutes long, followed by a 2 minute break, where you can read the notes of the next patient coming in again
• 7 cases followed by a 15 minute break (during which you
can continue reading the notes of the patients still to come in)
• 6 cases after the break
What happens on the day?
www.csapass.co.uk
• At the start of each case a buzzer will sound, and the timer in front of you will start (digital timer counts up from 0:00 to 10:00). At the end of the 10 minutes, the buzzer sounds again and the patient and examiner will leave if you have not finished.
• At least 2-3 cases will require an examination. This should be done at a level expected as a GP (spend a maximum of 1-2 minutes). If you do need to examine make sure you fully expose the area you wish to examine.
What happens on the day?
www.csapass.co.uk
• You stay in the same room, except for home visits, where a helper will guide you to the home visit room.
• Try to finish your cases early. However, if you finish early and you realise you have forgotten something crucial you can ask the patient to come back in again.
• Try to give out blood forms / prescriptions etc. But if you are running out of time say what you would like to give clearly: “I am going to give you Amlodipine5mg and I want you to take one daily”.
• If there is a mark for giving out a prescription / blood form the actor will ask you for this form explicitly, if there is not a mark the explanation of what you will give will suffice
What happens on the day?
www.csapass.co.uk
• The following equipment is in the room: – iPads: Look up how to use them on RCGP website [Document
Title: Candidate information on the use of iPads in the CSA].
– Standard equipment in each room:
• Alcohol gel
• Tissues
• Pencil
• Prescription pad, Blood forms, Radiology request forms, Sick notes
• EDD Calculator, BMI Calculator, PEFR Charts
• 3m Snellen Chart on wall (a white mark near your desk to mark 3m).
• Telephone
– Bring the equipment the RCGP advises you to bring (list on the RCGP website)
The CSA Room