lecture 1 the csa examination - csa courses for the mrcgp...

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MRCGP CSA Examination

Lecture 1: The CSA Examination

Dr Kunal Chandarana

&

Dr Pippa Jones

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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:

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Characteristics of passing / failing candidates

The table above was taken from: www.rcgp.org.uk

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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?

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• 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?

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• 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?

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• 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.


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• 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


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• 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

www.csapass.co.ukThe only course you need to attend to be successful in the

MRCGP CSA Examination

Book onto the CSA Pass Course now for

Lecture 2: How to pass the CSA

Examination, and for plenty of role play

and personalised feedback

Book now at: www.csapass.co.uk

lecture 1 the csa examination - csa courses for the mrcgp...

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