To give some context for the guidance that follows, here is a brief overview of the structure of the exam:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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- 12 stations<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- 3 mins preparation\/reading time before each case<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- 12 mins remote consulting time over a virtual platform (mix of video calls and telephone calls)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Please see the SCA page<\/a> for further guidance and signposting on exam structure.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Do\u2019s and Don\u2019ts:<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Study groups<\/p>\nthe majority of trainees find that practising in a group was key for their SCA preparation. People tend to arrange study groups according to the date they plan to sit the exam. Reach out to colleagues on the trainee whatsapp groups, or in your small groups at half-day teaching sessions. <\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
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Group size<\/p>\nPractise varies here. In general, being involved in each practise case in some capacity is key for learning, so trainees often suggest working in groups of 3-5, with observers giving constructive feedback.<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
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6 minutes history:6 minutes management<\/p>\nMarking is across 3 domains: Data Gathering and Diagnosis (in brief: history taking), Clinical Management and Medical Complexity (CM&C), and Relating to Others. Marks obtained in CM&C receive additional weighting, and so count towards a greater proportion of your overall score. Therefore leaving around 6 minutes to discuss a management plan with the patient is a good target. <\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
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Practise back to back cases<\/p>\nWe all know consulting is hard work, particularly in a high-stakes exam. It\u2019s a good idea to get used to dealing with a few cases back-to-back, without feedback from study group colleagues in between, and instead do the feedback at the end.<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
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\u201cBe awkward\u201d…<\/p>\n…when simulating scenarios<\/em>. Not, ideally, when consulting. Actors playing patients in the exam scenarios have required candidates to use negotiation, persuasion, and compromise to come to an agreement about the best way forward. Practise this with colleagues to develop these skills ahead of the exam.<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
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Vary your study resources<\/p>\n See our suggestions here<\/a>. Resources vary in layout, case mix, difficulty, and depth (think here – psychosocial elements or that constant suspicion of a \u201chidden agenda”).<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
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Do lots of remote consulting during revision<\/p>\nUse Teams, Zoom, or similar platform to revise, so that you get used to remote consulting.<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
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The BNF<\/p>\nPast candidates have suggested you could use this in the 3 minutes you have to prepare before a consultation. Consider looking at treatment summaries, or drugs, side effects, important considerations in pregnancy, breastfeeding, renal impairment, and so on. Familiarising yourself and using the BNF in revision sessions will help fluency in the exam itself.<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
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That being said: don\u2019t get bogged down in 3rd or 4th line treatment options during revision<\/p>\nAll GPs have to look things up, and examiners know this, although it isn’t possible to do this within the exam (other than using the BNF, if necessary). The cases are designed to test working knowledge and problem solving, not an encyclopaedic knowledge of the management of allergic rhinitis.<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
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Compartmentalise and move on if a case doesn\u2019t go to plan<\/p>\nRemember, you still have plenty more to show your abilities on, there is no negative marking and different examiners mark each case.<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
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Whiteboards<\/p>\nUse these during practice sessions, as it\u2019s the only thing you are allowed to use during the SCA for taking notes. Come up with a strategy for how best to employ them ahead of the exam, and stick to it.<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\nCase banks: <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
There are a number of these – many of which require you to purchase a subscription, although the Pennine VTS cases can be accessed for free.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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- Pennine VTS<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
- SCARevision.co.uk<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
- eMedica<\/a> <\/li>\n\n\n\n
- The Complete MRCGP casebook<\/a> <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Recorded Case Examples<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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- RCGP<\/a>: Please note (as explained on the RCGP site) that these cases are not graded or judged, therefore the performance of the candidate is for educational purposes only rather than to demonstrate a \u201cmodel\u201d consultation.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Bradford VTS<\/a> (the inspiration for this site) has a bank of SCA videos, some of which come with an examiner\u2019s opinion of the consultation.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- YouTube – Dr Matthew Smith<\/a> has a series of SCA consultation skills videos.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Mentor Medicine – Dr Nigel Giam<\/a> also has a series of SCA consultation skills which you can access for a fee.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Mark Schemes and Consulting Guides<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
North West Consultation Toolkit<\/a> (endorsed by RCGP): <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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- Click here<\/a> to download the pdf toolkit directly.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Click here<\/a> to download the \u201cRAG\u201d (Red-Amber-Green) rating tool – useful as a mark scheme guide.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- See the RCGP page<\/a> about recommended use of the toolkit<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Webinars<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
These can be helpful to guide preparation and can explain what to expect in the exam:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
RCGP Webinars <\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Mentor Education<\/a> (free recorded webinar – scroll down page)<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Preparation Courses<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Every GP trainee is entitled to study budget funding for one SCA preparation course. At the time of writing, the only one funded by the Severn Deanery is the RCGP\/Severn Deanery. Details of these courses are regularly distributed by email. Contact Kelly.Bush@rcgp.org.uk<\/a> if you have not received these.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Some Bristol VTS trainees have given positive feedback on Mentor Medical Education SCA courses<\/a>, run by Dr Nigel Giam. At the time of writing these will not be approved by Severn Deanery School of Primary Care for funding from study budget, and would need to be self funded.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Please note that trainees who have been unsuccessful in their SCA attempt are entitled to further support. Please see the SPEX pages<\/a> for more information.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
See also:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- Click here<\/a> to download the \u201cRAG\u201d (Red-Amber-Green) rating tool – useful as a mark scheme guide.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Bradford VTS<\/a> (the inspiration for this site) has a bank of SCA videos, some of which come with an examiner\u2019s opinion of the consultation.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- SCARevision.co.uk<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Pennine VTS<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
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