Membership of the Royal Colleges of Physicians (MRCP(UK)) is a postgraduate medical diploma. The examinations are run by the Federation of the Medical Royal Colleges of the United Kingdom(UK) – the Royal College of Physicians of London, the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh, and the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow. The three Royal Colleges of Physicians share this common three part assessment in general medicine which consists of two written parts and one clinical examination. Examinations are held throughout the UK and in overseas centres.

Holders of the MRCP(UK) can subscribe as "collegiate members" to any or all of the three UK Royal Colleges of Physicians.

There is a separate MRCPI qualification, run by the Royal College of Physicians of Ireland, based in Dublin in the Republic of Ireland.

History

The three Royal Colleges of Physicians have been holding membership examinations for many years. In the London College the Censors, helped by other examiners, had the duty to carry out the assessment of candidates and advise the College. The MRCP(London) examination began in 1859 with a numerical marking system devised in 1893. In the late 1960s the need to have a single recognised membership examination throughout the United Kingdom was recognised. Such an examination made it unnecessary for junior doctors to enter several membership examinations and removed the suggestion that the standards of the examination at the three Colleges were different.

Aims and content

The exam incorporates both examination of the candidate's knowledge of basic medical sciences as well as testing the clinical skills required for the diagnosis and management of disease. Changes to the exam in recent years have put more emphasis on communication skills and professionalism. Obtaining the "MRCP(UK)" is a prerequisite to anyone wishing to go on to a specialist training post as a Physician in the United Kingdom.Various companies, including the Royal Colleges themselves, have developed preparatory courses that focus on the nature of the questions and the required background knowledge.

In partnership with the relevant specialist societies, the three UK Royal Colleges have set up the MRCP Specialist Examinations Unit responsible for the organisation of new knowledge based assessments. The ultimate objective is to ensure that NHS consultants have demonstrated their acquisition of sufficient knowledge in their chosen specialty to practise safely and competently. This will bring the assessment of physicians in training in the UK into line with those training in North America, where most specialist trainees sit a specialist examination as a further test of excellence, usually after having acquired certification in Internal Medicine.

Parts

The MRCP exam has three parts: MRCP Part 1 (written paper); MRCP Part 2 (written paper); and MRCP Part 2 Clinical Examination (PACES).

The MRCP part 1 examination consists of multiple choice questions in the best of five format.

The MRCP part 2 examination consists of multiple choice questions in the best of five format and n from many format.

The MRCP PACES examination consists of a carousel with 5 stations. Station one tests the candidate's ability to examine the respiratory system and abdomen. Station 2 tests the candidate's history taking ability. Station 3 tests the candidate's ability to examine the cardiovascular system and perform a neurological examination . Station 4 tests the candidate's communication skills and the ability to deal with issues of medical ethics. Station 5 tests the candidate's ability to examine the eyes, the endocrine system, the locomotor system and the skin.

The MRCP is a mandatory requirement for entry into a specialist training scheme for all medical specialties such as internal medicine and advantageous in other specialities such as radiology, anaesthetics and accident and emergency medicine.

Countries hosting PACES

The MRCP PACES examination is held not only in the United Kingdom, but also in many other parts of the world. Hosting sites include Malaysia, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Egypt, Kuwait, Pakistan, India, Singapore and Hong Kong.

In Singapore, the MRCP(UK) and MMed are often taken together. In Hong Kong, taking MRCP(UK) also involves taking the FHKAM.[88623]

Fees

As well as difficult, the examinations, in common with other examinations of the UK Royal Colleges, are relatively expensive - at present costing the candidate outside UK £2095 from start to finish - assuming each examination is passed in a single attempt.Candidates may elect to participate in any of a number of training courses to improve the chances of passing. However, these should be compared with the costs of taking equivalent postgraduate examinations, such as the US Board examinations.

External links

• MRCP Official site
• http://careerfocus.bmjjournals.com/cgi/content/full/328/7445/155
• http://careerfocus.bmjjournals.com/cgi/content/full/327/7426/s172

Exam Resources

• Xamcram - user contributed, free sample MRCP questions