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?
