GPST Stage 3: Written and Simulation Exercises Richard Hughes, Shivani Tanna
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1GPST Stage 3: Written and Simulation Exercises Second Edition2
3GPST Stage 3: Written and Simulation Exercises Second Edition
Richard Hughes BMedSci BMBS MRCS nMRCGP DPD General Practitioner, Kingston Health Centre, Kingston upon Thames United Kingdom Shivani Tanna BSc MBBS nMRCGP DRCOG General Practitioner, North End Medical Centre, London United Kingdom
4
© 2016 JP Medical Ltd.
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Medical knowledge and practice change constantly. This book is designed to provide accurate, authoritative information about the subject matter in question. However, readers are advised to check the most current information available on procedures included or from the manufacturer of each product to be administered, to verify the recommended dose, formula, method and duration of administration, adverse effects and contraindications. It is the responsibility of the practitioner to take all appropriate safety precautions. Neither the publisher nor the authors assume any liability for any injury and/or damage to persons or property arising from or related to use the material in this book.
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9781909836457
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Library of Congress Cataloging in Publication Data
A catalog record for this book is available from the Library of Congress
Commissioning Editor:
Steffan Clements
Editorial Assistant:
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5Preface
For this second edition, GPST Stage 3: Written and Simulation Exercises has been expanded and updated to help you score as highly as possible in the GPST Stage 3 selection process. In order to achieve this, we give advice on how best to approach the written prioritisation exercises and simulated consultations; we provide practice cases for each type of test; and we focus throughout the book on areas that candidates find most difficult.
The book now includes a total of 18 written prioritisation exercises: these include three new examples written in response to the inclusion of more ethics-based exercises in the assessment. The book also includes 45 simulated consultation exercises which demonstrate scenarios with patients, relatives and healthcare professionals. The examples used are based on cases and concepts seen at selection centres over the last few years. We often find that people attending our course are keen to note down key phrases and find our example answers and consultation videos very useful. Accordingly, for each written exercise we include a model answer and for each consultation exercise we provide a complete transcript which highlights the different communication techniques discussed in the preceding chapters. Finally, the second edition includes a new chapter of mock papers which allows candidates to practise for the selection centre under exam conditions.
We wish you every success for the GPST Stage 3 and for your career in general practice.
Richard Hughes
Shivani Tanna
November 2015678
9GPST Stage 3 selection centre: the application process
The application process has three stages:
Your regional allocation to a selection centre will depend on your score at stage 2, and the final allocation of jobs within each deanery will depend on your performance at both stage 2 and stage 3.
How to use this book
We recommend that you do all of the written exercises under strict exam conditions, giving yourself 30 minutes per case. After this, read your answers back and reflect on whether you have:
  1. Written legibly with answers that are clear to understand
  2. Understood the issues raised in the case
  3. Prioritised sensibly
  4. Justified your decisions
  5. Described the actions you would take
  6. Utilised the different team members appropriately
  7. Demonstrated some of the attributes of a good GP (outlined in Chapter 1)
  8. Left enough time to complete the task
The simulated consultation exercises are best worked through in groups of three people: one can be the candidate, one the actor and one the examiner. It is important to be strict with timings and stop the case after 10 minutes so that you get a feel for what the time pressure will be like on the day. On completion of each case it important to get feedback from your peers and ask yourself the following:
  1. Did I establish a good rapport?
  2. Did I ask open questions?
  3. Did I allow the patient to speak?
  4. Did I gather all the relevant information and get to the bottom of the problem?
  5. Was my consultation well structured?10
While we do not propose that you read all of the transcripts, we encourage you to use them as a resource if you found a case difficult, are wondering how specific situations could be approached or are looking for succinct phrases to help your own consultations.
How to prepare for the assessment
Try to attend a course before you do your selection centre. Be sure to research the courses before booking. A good course will allow you to practice every element of the Stage 3 process with small group work and individual feedback from experienced tutors (not feedback provided by other candidates) who will quickly be able to focus in on your own learning needs.
11What to remember on the day of your selection centre
Arrive on time and make sure you are fully aware of where the selection centre is being held. Long journeys should be planned in advance and you should expect to be there for half a day (morning or afternoon).
Take all the paperwork you are required to present on the day as stated by your deanery. This usually includes:
  1. Passport or driving licence
  2. Your original medical qualification certificate
  3. Original evidence of foundation competencies
  4. Hard copies of your structured reference forms if your referees have not submitted them online
  5. Photocopies of the above
It is recommended that you wear smart clothing that you would wear on a day-to-day basis when expecting to deal with patients. If in doubt, dress slightly more smartly than you would normally. Things to avoid are:
If you feel you should be eligible for extra time in the written examination or the written element, due to a proven condition such as dyslexia, then this should be requested from the recruitment office well in advance, during the application process.
Good luck on the day and remember to remain calm. If you feel one exercise has gone badly it is important to clear your head and move onto the next assessment. Remember, each exercise is marked independently and very few candidates feel that the whole process went perfectly.
12Acknowledgements
We would like to thank the following people for their contribution to the preparation of this book:
Denula Suthaharan
Neha Kataria
Anna Humphries
Amit Patel
Sally Hughes
Andrew Hughes
Rekha Tanna
Suresh Tanna
13Glossary A&E
Accident and emergency
ABC
Airway, breathing, circulation
Anti-CCP
Anti-citrullinated protein
CLO
Campylobacter-like organism
COPD
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
CPD
Continuing professional development
CT
Computed tomography
CTPA
CT pulmonary angiogram
DIY
Do-it-yourself
DOB
Date of birth
DOPS
Directly observed procedural skills
DVT
Deep vein thrombosis
ECG
Electrocardiography
ICE
Ideas, concerns and expectations
FBC
Full blood count
FY1
Foundation year 1
FY2
Foundation year 2
GMC
General Medical Council
GP
General practitioner
GUM
Genitourinary medicine
HCA
Healthcare assistant
HIV
Human immunodeficiency virus
INR
International normalised ratio
ID
Identification
IT
Information technology
ITU
Intensive treatment unit
MDT
Multidisciplinary team
MRI
Magnetic resonance imaging
MRSA
Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus
MS
Multiple sclerosis
NSTEMI
Non-ST elevation myocardial infarction
OPA
Outpatient appointment
PALS
Patient advice and liaison service
RA
Rheumatoid arthritis
SHO
Senior house officer
TTO
To take out