Well, the written is over, and as far as the feed back I got, everyone is frustrated with the exams. But, that’s what usually happens isn’t it?
It was tough for many, and some felt that it was lengthy. Despite any reason, some will make it through.
The reality is, some one has to pass the exams right? so cheer up. Don’t spend valuable time dwelling on what has already happened.
I am talking from experience. I honestly did not expect to make it at the written, spent my time gap between written exams and results doing everything else other than preparing for OSCE.
Results came as a shocker, and then I was in panic mode to get the preparation done in such a short time.
Thought I’ll share 10 Tips on OSCE on how to get going :
1.More the time, the better. So Start as soon as you finish written- can’t emphasize this more.
2. Do your ground work. Know what are the possible stations that can come.
3. Take a book and start writing the stations- Have an opening sentence for each station.
E.g., Breaking bad news- After Introducing your self ,” I am afraid I have some difficult news for you. Would you like to have someone with you?” Is an empathetic way to begin.
4. Write Memorize and Practice the English sentences, the opening and closing remarks- If it does not flow from you naturally especially in stress (happens when it’s a second language) You have time to think about the subject matter, but not how to speak the language in that 14 mins.
5. Know the UK methods for particular stations- e.g. Molar pregnancy- have to refer to one of the 3 centers in UK for monitoring.
6. Very fluent and fast history taking. Never miss a point. Know your personal order.
7. Follow the role players- don’t ignore their concerns- they might sometime waste your time. At one of my stations, the lady was crying so much and did not allow me to proceed to management, even after I repeatedly asked “would you like me to go on/ is it alright if I go on?” The bell rang & I didn’t complete the station. But the exam is about is all about Communication.
8. Have a closing sentence- safety netting.
9. Follow at least 2 OSCE books and practice with peers. Time it precisely. These are the 2 books I followed and I have linked it to the Amazon book store if you’d like to purchase them.
10. Attend a course or two. I didn’t have any means of going to UK- Visa process is so lengthy. The only single course I did is 3 days before exam -RCOG course at Delhi.
But I had an awesome friend who helped me in every way to practice and prepare. So pair up with a buddy or make friends with a mirror and start talking OR record yourself on your phone!
Next up, I’ll write about the stations, and how to tackle them. Meanwhile, please feel free to share this article.
[Image: Hans-Engel]
your blogs are of great help.Keep guiding us.Thanks.
Thank you very much Anjana
Your guidance make me passing written exam. Now I find difficulty in preparing osce exam because it is not possible to get visa to England to attend the course. Could you guide me how to tackle each station please? Thanks
Thanks alot anjana ..ur precious guidance made my exam…i found it pretty easy..thanks alot dear..plz keep on guiding on part 3…God bless u dear
I am so glad I could help.
Congrats
salam,kindly guide me how to read a tog.means if i ve read a topic from text book n guideline then if the same topic in tog,i should go through it at same time n make precise notes.or else i should read it like a journal seperately.n togs of atleast how many years.say if i am preparing for 2017 september.
It is easier to go through the TOG at same time, to see what new ingor has been given- as TOG has new information and practical aspects than a text book.
For further information, please read mu Blog posts on TOG.
http://www.anjanamackeen.com/2015/12/08/tog-the-obstetrician-and-gynaecologist-journal-2/
http://www.anjanamackeen.com/2015/12/12/togs-i-have-read-and-you-should-too-part-1/
http://www.anjanamackeen.com/2015/12/16/togs-you-should-not-miss-part-2/
Thank you for such nice aim to help others.i need your advice regarding the use of stratOG.is it important to go through all preliminary reading material including all research papers and stuff,of course we have to do all guidelines.for me it’s like difficult to compile up all reading material together.can you plz guide in general as you already told the way to read guidelines.
Strat OG is quite vast. The preliminary reading materials and research papers are there for further enhancing your knowledge on the subject. For Eg In Antenatal care- module 1-one of the preliminary reading is NICE guideline- this of course you need to have read, but the rest is extra. So it depends what reference they have given. No need to read all. If you find something interesting read a bit and see whether it looks important. Otherwise you may omit them. I read only chosen things which I thought could be important in exam.
Hi dr anjana ..I want to ask the same questiin as miss basima asked but in a different way …we have so many things to study do u recommend a specefic pattern ? Like what was your appraoch ? Doing the sba books and theory side by side along with guidelines or what ? If u can plz clarify what should b the best policy ?
Hi Saira, there is no specific pattern, The pattern is usually an individualized thing. One size does not fit all.
I invested a lot of time for this exam. I see many want a short cut- it dies not work that way. My 3rd and 4th yr of masters went in studying for both exams as the subject matter is same though both exams are different. When it came to specifically preparing for MRCOG- the theory and practice books should go side by side as they help you to understand the important things to focus during reading the theory.
But read 1st to understand, then to memorize the important things and attempt questions. with once or twice reading it is not possible to retain all the facts. I have become a consultant now and still refer to the guidelines when I need, refresh my memory and discuss things with colleagues. It is a continues process of upgrading your knowledge. Or it is very easy to forget what you have learnt.
May Allah bless you
Thank You :). Glad you find it useful…
Thanks alot Anjana Ipreaper for written exam any advice ucan tell me about which books i concetrat
best wishes
Hi, I have already written 3 blog posts on the Source of MRCOG part2. Please do read them, the texts books are mentioned in them.
http://www.anjanamackeen.com/2016/02/24/sources-in-a-nutshell-mrcog-part-2-exam-recommended-reading-pos-3/
http://www.anjanamackeen.com/2016/02/08/sources-in-a-nutshell-mrcog-part-2-exam-recommended-reading/
http://www.anjanamackeen.com/2016/01/28/sources-in-a-nutshell/
Can you please tell me how many staions will have role players???
There are total 12 stations- 10 active stations and 2 Preparatory stations.
Out of the 12 active stations- last exam we had 7 with role players. It was one of the maximum numbers seen. The number may differ. Not fixed.
You Give me a big push as I was lost and about to decide to stop at that
As I feel Frustrated. But if you please, i want time table to get much knowledge in short time and how to be fit as it looks a very far trigger
Thanks
I am glad to inspire you. Frustration is something we all feel when it comes to exams. Not everyone who has made it at this difficult exam, achieved it in one or two attempts. Some have tried it over and over again. You already know the Source- know what you need to study- so, try to make a time table.
How short the prep time is, depends on how much time you can give each day. Usually there is no short cut as of what to study.
It is a far aim- but not as far- if you commence your journey NOW. All the best!
It is so nice that you are sharing all these with us
The more I share, the more I get! All the best
Thanks a lot,for such a nice guidance
I am glad to help. Thank you for the feedback ! Let me know what more you all want to know about.
Thanks for your valuable advices…..
Please I can’t understand what you mean by (Have a closing sentence- safety netting)…would you please clarify.👍
Closing sentence- is what you say before you finish each station- as deemed appropriate- which gets you some free marks if you tell them to the patient in a role player station- In other words -it’s a doctor’s safety net- where he/she- leaves a patient with responsible advice after a consultation is over.
For example- ” I will give you some information leaflets for you to read on this subject- please go through them and I will discuss what ever concern you have in our next visit”- The exam is simply not a one day exam- you act as if you will see her again- like in usual day to day practise.
I will elaborate this further in my blog posts…