Consultation skills for the the new MRCGP - Prashini Naidoo

This book is written as a companion guide to Cases and Concepts for the new MRCGP. The aim is help readers pull together the knowledge and communication skills required for success in the consultation components of the new MRCGP exam, namely Clinical Skills Assessment (CSA) and Clinical Observation Tool (COT). The book does this in three ways:

by demonstrating some of the required consultation skills on the accompanying DVD, which features 13 typical consultations
by identifying and teaching these skills in a further 20 case write-ups - these offer readers an ordered, step-wise approach to data gathering, clinical management and interpersonal skills
by giving candidates 15 'mock cases' on which to practise, either alone or in small groups - these cases cover paediatric and telephone consultations, dealing with lists, breaking bad news and home visits.

The book and DVD are meant to be interactive, with some of the DVD cases being accompanied by a CSA marking schedule for readers to assess the candidate' s performance. Readers are asked if the doctor on the DVD:

asked the right questions, at the right time, in the right way
performed the right examination correctly
communicated in a precise, understandable and sensitive manner.

All Specialist Trainees in General Practice will find the book helpful:

ST1s will find the DVDs 1-7 most useful
ST2s will find the 20 case write-ups useful for COT discussions
ST3s preparing for the CSA will find the book essential, but are directed in particular to DVDs 8-13 and the Mock cases for group work

This book is essential for all those preparing for the new MRCGP.