Application form

In general, most application form for all the specialties are similar. ACF application form consisted of
1. Listing academic achievements
2. Courses
3. A brief paragraph on audits.
4. Brief paragraph on teaching experience.
5. Brief description about my research projects, and then the next question asked to write in detail about one of the mentioned research projects.
6. Brief description about why I wanted an academic job.
7. Brief paragraph on my commitment to the specialty I am applying for.
8. Extracurricular activities


However, in my interview, I was asked to talk I'm detail about my academic achievements, research projects, and my interest in academia. There is not much emphasis on audits, however it is advisable to have one completed cycle as it is essential to be shortlisted for an interview.

I was lucky enough to have worked in a reputable hospital during my F1 year and with my interest in surgery and research, I was able to undertake a few research projects. Although it was very hard work, during my F1 year I was able to successfully pass MRCS part A exam, nationally present my research project as first author, as well as publish 3 papers (2as first author, and the second as 2nd author). Furthermore, I am in the process of writing 2 further papers for publication.

My advice for aspiring surgeons and academics would be to start early. It requires a lot of hard work, but show your enthusiasm to the consultants in your hospitals, and you will have opportunities to undertake useful projects which will help boost your CV to be successful in your choice of job.

Next post will be about setting up portfolios in preparation for interviews.

Contact me by email iwanttobeasurgeon@gmail.com for further information, or via this blog, and I will aim to answer any queries as soon as I can.

Romesh

MRCS Courses

Enjoying watching the soccer this weekend but thought I'd give you the low down on the course I went on.

I found it super difficult to pck a course as very little info is available and because they are so expensive I felt more apprehensive about making a bad choice. AFter much debate and searching, I wittled it down to 3 course:
1) The St Thomas' 7 day course costing £1200. So ths course was highly recommended by my Reg because he said they got you to practise stations on real patients. However, as it is very popular, I couldn't get a place on he course.

2) The PASTEST MRCS revision course. Costs £799 and you also get the online revision course for free. This course is run over a weekend so its only 2 days. I didn't go as I wanted something longer. A riend went and said it was excellent. Apparently you get grilled all day as the course is mostly in OSCE format and you go around in circuits. He felt it was very useful.

3) The Royal College of Surgeons' Applied sciences for the MRCS course. This is a 5 day course at the Royal College in London and costs £1000. I went on this course and thought it was fantastic. They explained what the format of the exam would be like, taught anatomy on cadavers in small groups and gave lectures on pathology and critical care. There were also lectures and an opportunity to practise comm skills stations. I think the highlights of the course were the lectures on critical care (very comprehensive) and the anatomy demonstrations. You also get critical care viva and a physiology viva books for free. The two problems with the course is that it didn't cover clinical examination or neuroanatomy.

I don't think you need a course to pass the exam but the royal college course really helped me prepare as I was most concerned with anatomy and critical care. Much of the stuff covered on the course came up in one way or another on the course. Hope you found this useful and if you have any experiences of the other courses please share with us.

Amel

Post MRCS Part B

So I finally sat the OSCE on thursday and it was a very passable exam although I think I screwed up 2-3 of the stations and thus may lead to my failing the exam. However, results aren't till the end of June so I can still try and be mindlessly optimistic.

Anyway, for all those considering sitting the exam this winter (which will very likely include my self), I shall endeavour to give you as many tips and advise as necessary using my experiences. Over the next few weeks, I shall blog about the format of the exam, the level of detail questioning required as well as books, courses and other revision aids.

Firstly, the exam involves 18 stations in addition to two 10 minute rest stations whereby you sit by yourself in a cubicle and one twenty minute rest station separating the exam in two and during which everyone who has sat the same stations gathers and has tea. Of the 18 stations these are divided as follows:

1) Anatomy and pathology:
1x speciality anatomy station
2x generic anatomy stations
1x generic pathology station

2) Communication skills:
2x history on speciality topics
1x generic history
1x explain something to patient/relative (also has a 9 minute prep station whereby you read the notes)
1x communicate with a colleague over the phone (also has a prep station whereby you have 9 minutes to read notes and prepare)

3)Clinical skills and patient safety:
3x speciality topics- physical exam
1x generic system- physical exam
2x procedure e.g gloving/cannulation/blood cultures/excision of lesion

4)Critical care and physiology
1x manned station with imaging/results for interpretation
1x 2 manned station with a scenario and viva on critical care
1x manned station and viva on physiology and critical care

Ok so that's me done for now but watch this space for further info in the coming days and weeks.

Amel