Join us in our Hybrid model – Online – if you are unable to travel to benefit from the Learning experience and improve your performance at the exam.

Dear All

Thank you for participating in the Mini Mock session today.

In RRR we discussed:

• Cong Dislocation of Hip – presentation and management
• Respiratory Distress Syndrome –
• Addisons Disease – presentation and diagnosis

The Mini Mock Exam was on the Developemnt station. Mother of 4 year old NA is concerned about his fine motor skills.

Task was: Take a focussed History first and second part – Do a fine motor assessment.

Dr A took the hot seat, AG was the Examiner, Dr V provided tips on how to improve one’s performance. Dr A managed a good VIRTUAL development assessment in 8 minutes. There were some minor learning points to secure more marks.

The Learning Points are:

• In 4 minutes write down points you have to enquire – mnemonics
• Observe the child from the moment you enter the room
• Visualize a small desk and chair for Child in the exam room
• Avoid sitting on the floor – it will be difficult to mange
• Select the toys you will need for your task
• Sit across the child – on floor – so you are at eye level
• Offer ONE TOOL at A TIME – hide others from line of vision
• Note handedness
• REMOVE your Tool after use. SAY it – tool REMOVED.
• ‘Push child till a task cannot be done – gives Upper limit for age.
• Development – summary – is OVER ALL age. NOT Left or Right side.
• Child may not be able to complete tasks with both limbs due to a muscular problem and NOT a development delay.
• Mention Positives first – be a Positive doctor
• With ‘treatment’ there is always scope of improvement – may not be ‘Normal’.

Please visit http://www.mrcpchonline.org to add your comments or points I may have missed.

Anil Garg

Dear All

Thank you for participating in the session.

In this session we completed Communication scenarios for Intensive revision for forthcoming exam. “Audit – Ethics – 24 week preterm birth – Breaking bad news” suspected Cyanotic Heart Disease’.

In RRR we discussed:

• Teratogens – proven and suspected
• Scalded Skin Syndrome
• UTI – prevention advice

Communication Mini Mock was – Newborn baby dusky at 4 hours, suspected cyanotic heart disease – discuss with parents. Dr S was in the Hotseat, AG – Roleplayer, Dr Shishir and Dr Laxmi with the examiner hats. Dr S made a good start with introductions and giving RP opportunity to mention their concerns – he should have ‘congratulated’ the parents on new arrival. Dr A picked up on points that could be done different and Dr Shishir gave a structured feedback on what could be done to secure more marks.

The Learning points are:

• Read the task carefully
• Plan for first 2 minutes of what you wish to say
• Less / avoid medical jargon
• KISS – Keep It Simple St*****.
• Do NOT ignore RP’s concerns – acknowledge and Park if necessary
• “Is my child going to die?” – be a positive doctor – realistic
• “No – With Treatment he should be fine. Needs monitoring”.
• Drawing diagrams is difficult so try and avoid the temptation – explain verbally
• Practice the Learning points in your Day to Day practice
• Practice with colleague, record and watch.

The video recording will be available to watch. Please visit http://www.mrcpchonline.org to add your comments or points I may have missed.

Anil Garg

Dear all

Thank you for participating in the session today. It was held on Teams, Microsoft and not Zoom.

The RRRs discussed:

• Munchausen by proxy
• Coeliac disease – symptoms & signs
• Constitutional delay of growth & puberty

There was a presentation on MRCPCH Clinical Exam.

Tips on preparations and what we offer candidates preparing for the exam and their personal practice there after.

You can watch the full presentation on You tube.

Please visit http://www.mrcpchonline.org to add your comments and feedback.

Anil Garg

	MRCPCH Clinical Examination Tips

MRCPCH CLINICAL EXAM: What & How to best succeed. 26 November – 14:00 GMT

26 November 24: 14:00 – 15:00 GMT – UK time

We have a session to give over view of the Clinical Exam.

Use the log in details below to join and contribute.

Anil Garg

Join the meeting

Meeting ID: 310 418 734 28

Passcode: 4T8vb6EV

26 November 24: 14:00 – 15:00 GMT – UK time

We have a session to give over view of the Clinical Exam.

Use the log in details below to join and contribute.

Anil Garg

Join the meeting now

Meeting ID: 310 418 734 28

Passcode: 4T8vb6EV

MRCPCH CLINICAL EXAM COURSE for February 2025

Dear All

We concluded our current course at the last interactive meeting.

At the last diet we only had one member take the exam. The feedback on the exam was that it was a very fair exam with no real hidden surprises. Nine out of ten stations were of topics and case we had covered, last was a child with dysmorphic features and was not able to identify the syndrome. In my experience that is not an unusual situation and most candidates score marks on their ability to describe what they observe, how they will confirm the diagnosis and basic management steps.

We start our Next course on 26th November aiming to guide and mentor candidates for the February exam. With regular practice in our experience 3 months are essential to feel comfortable at the exam. We have two sessions per week and are available online and on WhatsApp to answer queries and offer advice.

Looking forward to working with our new members.

Anil Garg

Dear All

Happy Diwali.

Thank you for participating in the session.

In RRR we discussed:

• Neurofibromatosis – characteristics
• Asthma – assessment of efficacy of treatment
• Newborn screening

Mini Mock was a Video station. Dr V was in the hot seat with Dr M with examiner hat. The clip was of a happy looking 3 year old girl with puffy eyes, swollen face and an iv cannula in on hand. Dr V noted the clinical findings and got the diagnosis. Dr V did not develop a differential diagnosis hence was hampered in the optional history questions and points to examine. The discussion on Nephrotic syndrome was satisfactory however there were factual error that need to be avoided e.g. “kidneys do not absorb protein.”

The Learning points are:

• Watch the complete video carefully.
• Develop a differential diagnosis – do NOT go in with only ONE diagnosis
• Talk of the ‘child’ you have seen – not general book description
• Do NOT use abbreviations e.g RFTs, HIE
• Mention investigations in sequence or relevance of severity – timeline
• Mention investigation with what you are expecting in the results.
• Write out a template for each station and know it be heart
• In the exam you will be working almost on autopilot so practice well

Please visit http://www.mrcpchonline.org to add your comments or points I may have missed.

Anil Garg

Dear All

Thank you for participating in the session today.

In RRR we discussed:

• DKA – assessment
• Developmental delay – causes
• Asthma management – pharmacological

The Mini Mock exam session was a continuation of our last sessions examination of limp in 14 year old with MSK examination. AG presented a brief synopsis of pGALS by Dr UP and then a practical demonstration of how the exam could be conducted in real time in exam. There was discussion on the technique.

Neurological examination has many similarities during the examination process hence it is important not to get confused and go down the wrong systemic examination.

The learning points are:

• Ask if not sure of task i.e. MSK or Neurological examination
• Organization and systematic flow to your technique
• Have a mental picture of what you wish to do & demonstrate.
• Practice – Practice – Practice.

Please visit http://www.mrcpchonline.org to add your comments or points I may have missed.

Anil Garg

Dear All

Thank you for participating in the session.

In RRR we discussed:

• Damage caused following Head Injury
• Kawasaki disease
• Nappy rash

Mini Mock exam was Clinical station – 14 year old referred for a murmur noted by GP, finding of normal saturation and growth with gross clubbing noted on General Examination. Dr M was in the hotseat with Dr G with examiner hat. Dr M did a good clinical examination. He picked up the clinical signs but focussed only on the CVS and not considering other aetiology of clubbing. The discussion hence was focused on how to proceed in such situations during the exam.

Learning points:

• General physical examination is a must
• Follow a logical sequence to your technique
• Obvious finding – think of possible differential – do NOT be limited to only one.
• Rheumatic fever is prevalent in Saia hence should be kept in mind
• Common things first.

Please visit http://www.mrcpchonline.org to add your comments or points I may have missed.

Remember we have Face to Face course in Bengaluru – tell friends who may be preparing for the exam.

Anil Garg