Intercollegiate MRCS:An Update

November 2010

MRCS

2004 until 2010

– Part 1: ABS MCQ– Part 2: clinical problem solving MCQ– Part 3: oral, clinical, communications

skills

• Now withdrawn in UK

MRCS

From 2008 in the UK

– Part A: MCQ

– Part B: OSCE

MRCS Part A

• two MCQ papers each of two hours:

- applied basic sciences (c.135 questions)

- principles of surgery-in-general (c. 135 questions)

• taken on same day• marked as one• minimum 50 % in each paper to pass • unlimited attempts

MRCS OSCE

• Comprehensive evidence based review after first three diets

• Examiner feedback• Candidate feedback• Statistical analysis• ICBSE Committees• ASIT• PLG

• Changes approved for introduction May 2010

MRCS OSCE:Summary of changes 1

Examined stations increased from 16 to18• One communication skills station removed• One surgical pathology station added• Two extra clinical stations

• 25% more time with examiners than 2004 MRCS

MRCS OSCE:Summary of changes 2

Broad Content Areas reorganised• Reduced from 5 to 4• More logical structure• Change to weighting e.g. more anatomy• Pass ‘hurdle’ raised

• Candidates must pass all 4 BCAs to pass the OSCE

Broad Content Areas: Mark Distribution

22%

17%

28%

33%

Anatomy and surgical pathology

Applied surgical science and critical care

Communication skills

Clinical and procedural skills

MRCS OSCE:Summary of changes 3

Domains reorganised– Reduced from 6 to 4– Increase from 16 to 20 marks for each station – Domains no longer a pass/fail criterion

MRCS OSCE:Summary of changes 4

• All stations have at least one examiner i.e. no unmanned stations

• Less candidate choice– May only opt out of one speciality choice for

clinical examination

Diet Reliability (Cronbach)

May 2009 0.78

October 2009 0.80

February 2010 0.82

May 2010 0.84

October 2010 0.85

MRCS OSCE Reliability

Future Plans

• Use of visuals in Part A

• Expand question ‘banks’

• Increase number of diets each year (up to 5)

• Additional venues

• Second major review after Feb 2011

MRCS: website

• http://www.intercollegiatemrcs.org.uk

?