FCPS MRCP UK Career Counselling For RIFAO RMU

FCPS & MRCP (UK) Career Counselling For RIFAO RMU Symposium by Dr. Syed Ali Raza MRCP (UK) FCPS Medical Oncology

Why career counselling is important ? Most of the medical students don’t know at all what they are going to do in their career? And some of the doctors all their life don’t know what is their destination?

We will discuss today How to plan career? What speciality to choose? What exam to take? What are the career pathways to pursue? And what is best for us?

What is best time to plan your career?

If you want to do USMLE take STEP 1 exam at the start of 4 th year/final year. If planning PLAB do IELTS in start of your House Job. If thinking of FCPS, start preparing for part 1 during last rotation of House Job. If going for MRCP Journey start it ideally as you induct in a training program or have cleared FCPS 1.

How professionals choose a field for their career?

When asked a physician she said click of ball point sounds like music to me When asked a surgeon he told the smell of spirit is sweater than perfume to me

When discussed with a gynaecologist she was amused with the first cry of baby When standing with a paediatrician he showed me smile of his small patient going back to home.

Passion : Your passion is the most important thing in your career selection. Remember top position is always empty and waiting for better and the best.

Being Realistic : Every person has different circumstances and situation. You have to decide as per your own situation. Don’t compare yourself with anyone.

Career Satisfaction : Do remember once you are done with specialization in any clinical speciality, you will be earning enough money. Soon at your peak your work satisfaction becomes more important instead of money.

Personality : If you love to be on your toes and can make good decisions at critical situations then choose emergency medicine, oncology, paeds, gynae etc. If you want to have a peaceful work then choose radiology, derma, pathology, eye etc.

Trends : Gastroenterology has been the hottest field for last 5 years so it was wise to go to gastroenterology. Emergency medicine will be at high place after 3 -4 years. Oncology is current trend so a lot of people are opting it as first or second fellowship. Keep an eye on trends while making a decision.

Specialities for Females : Gynae is always recommended to females. Yes you can go to any peak. But do remember its not the end of the world!!!

Paeds medicine Paeds surgery Dermatology (cosmetics) Radiology Endocrinology and Infertility Anaesthesia & ICU care Psychiatry ( Most psychiatric patient are females !!!)

Future : You should know where you want to see yourself after 5 or 10 years whether you will be in Pakistan or abroad? in a big city or small city?

Timing to become consultant : You should plan your career in a way to become a consultant maximum at age of 30 -31 years. Life is too short don’t waste it in delaying your things for years and years. Grab the first opportunity you get. Sit in the first exam you encounter.

FCPS : Fellowship of College of Physicians and Surgeons of Pakistan

FCPS is the structured post graduate residency program of CPSP which comprises of 4 or 5 years of training, workshops, research and a series of exams i. e. FCPS 1, IMM and FCPS II.

It is the highest level medical qualification of Pakistan. After achieving FCPS you become a competent , skill full, qualified and highly valuable professional.

Story of MY FCPS : I did MRCP at age of 29 years one of the youngest at that time but my father was more happy the day I did my FCPS.

International Recognitions : FCPS is a recognized consultant level qualification in most of the UAE, Saudia Arabia and Asian countries. Also FCPS Paeds and Anesthesia are accepted in UK as specialists.

IRELAND & UK : Hundreds of CPSP residents are going to Ireland UK via MTI program of two years as a result of collaboration between CPSP , GMC and IMC.

THEME OF FCPS 1 : To pass an exam you need to understand theme of that exam. FCPS 1 checks your all basic knowledge of MBBS. Starting from Anatomy to Surgery. Physiology to Pathology and Pathology to Medicine.

Specialities : FCPS 1 exam is offered in Medicine Surgery Gynae & Obs Radiology Anaesthesia Pathology Eye ENT Psychiatry Community Medicine And Dentistry

Duration of Study : Without Job 3 -4 months day and night study is more than enough. With Job 5 -6 months study is required.

Exam Oriented Prep. : Do remember that don’t do knowledge based study but instead always do exam oriented preparation. I feel the day goes to waste when I don’t learn a new thing but for exam I focus only on stuff which is useful for that particular exam.

Books To Follow : Always study the standard review books. FCPS 1 exam checks your basic knowledge and its some clinical application. Do subjects from *BRS Series *Kaplan Series *USMLE First Aid for STEP 1 NOTE : Don’t study big text books. You can’t absorb and retain such a vast knowledge. Study what you can revise.

MCQs Practice : CPSP, despite of all its wishes and efforts, has to repeat MCQS from past papers pools. Around 2000 MCQs are selected for a single attempt and its not possible to make new questions every time. So do practice past papers’ MCQs from some reliable source of your choice.

1 st Attempt : First shot is always the best shot. Try to clear your exam in first attempt. Once it gets stuck, it becomes harder and harder every time, so give your best in First attempt.

CIP- How to Ensure Training Slot! Primary/ Secondary Healthcare experience Distinction certificates (ask your admin about procedure) RESEARCH Application in your home institute.

RESEARCH : Research has become more important for your career in this era of CIP (Central Induction Policy) Each publication gives you 2. 5 marks So do try to publish atleast two papers in your MBBS years. Use your community medicine research and data. Research helps you throughout your career.

MRCP ( UK) MRCP(UK) develops and delivers postgraduate medical examinations around the world on behalf of the three Royal Colleges of Physicians of the UK. You can get membership of all the 3 ROYAL COLLEGES i. e. The Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh The Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow The Royal College of Physicians of London

Presidents of all the 3 Royal colleges sign on your Diploma !

Benefits of MRCP in Pakistan ? In Pakistan MRCP=FCPS (Internal Medicine) MRCP is recognized by PMDC as Specialist Diploma. Don’t be confused by the word Diploma. FCPS is also a diploma as it is issued by a college.

Exemptions : FCPS-1 + IMM + 2 years General Medicine training is exempted after Complete MRCP by CPSP.

Benefits of MRCP abroad ? MRCP is recognized all over the world.

In England : You work as Specialty Registrar after MRCP. (After PLAB they take you as SHO or G. P). They take you at ST 3 level which means your four years of training (two Foundation years+two Core Medical training years)will be exempted.

You will be Inducted at ST 3 level !

How to get multiple MRCP prefix ? To add other prefixes like MRCP(LONDON) Or MRCP (EDINBURGH) You just have to get intercollegiate memberships of other colleges by filling a form and submitting a small amount of money per year. Remember you are being assessed by the Federation of Royal College of Physicians.

How to convert MRCP to FRCP ? You don’t need any exam to convert your MRCP to FRCP. You need two FRCP referees who recommend you after 3 years of post MRCP experience. Plus two International Publications with impact factor 2. 0. And your are Fellow !!!

Is IELTS Necessary? No, IELTS is not necessary at any part of MRCP (UK). It is required for GMC registration once you pass all 3 parts of MRCP and want to work in UK.

MRCP in Specialities (SCE) : Speciality Certificate Examination is offered by RCP for all medicine specialities except cardiology.

If you have NOT done MRCP , you can still sit in SCE exam but you get only a certificate. If you have done MRCP (UK) i. e. in Internal medicine plus SCE then you get Membership of that Royal College of Physicians e. g. Membership of Royal College of Oncology etc

Exam Centre : MRCP 1 and MRCP 2 are written exams and they take place in Pakistan. MRCP PACES is clinical exam and held in UK and other countries.

MRCP PACES In Pakistan : There have been talks that PACES is going to held in Pakistan. There are very less chances of this atleast next 2 -3 years. It be hard to get a seat for PACES plus the fee will be double ( as over seas fee). Also the failure rate will be high.

FEE Structure & Expenditures : Fee for MRCP 1 is £ 594 i. e. 100 thousands Pakistani rupees. Fee for MRCP 2 is same as MRCP 1. Fee for PACES exam is £ 657. Overall expenditures for MRCP PACES are 4 Lakh only including Exam fee, tickets, stay and food.

MRCP 1 Preparation : MRCP 1 check your core medical knowledge about different disease, gold standard investigations and SOPs of management.

BOOKS : Study at least two or three online pools My recommendation : Pass medicine series for MRCP 1 Pastest series for MRCP 1 And On examination series for MRCP 1 If you are habitual of studying from books their hard copy versions are available at book shops

How To Study Them ? Don’t try to solve the MCQs instead read their explanations multiple times and learn them by heart. Remember RCP loves some topics and they always ask about them in their exams like Cystic Fibrosis, Inflammatory bowel disease etc.

MRCP 2 : MRCP 2 check your ability to clinically apply your medicine knowledge and how you interpret data provided to you.

BOOKS : Books to follow : Sanjay Sharma for MRCP 2 Pastest Series for MRCP 2 Data Interpretation by Steve Hughes Radiology in Medical Practise by ABM Abdullah 150 ECGS by John Hamptons

MRCP PACES : If you understand PACES you pass it in first attempt. If you don’t know theme of this exam you get stuck despite of how much knowledge you have.

SKILLS : MRCP PACES check you skills. It require less knowledge and more practise to clear this exam. Do watch a video of Pastest PACES every day and always examine and talk with your patients as you preparing for your exam.

7 SKILLS : You will be tested for 7 Skills Physical examination Identifying Physical signs Making Differential diagnosis Clinical Judgment Dealing Concerns Communication Skill Patient Welfare

PASS SCORE : You have to pass SEVEN SKILLS and score overall 130/172 Marks to be declared as successful.

THANK YOU