Membership of the Royal College of Physicians
Encyclopedia
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.
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.
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.
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 comprises two 8-minute "integrated clinical assessments" requiring the candidate to take a focussed history and examination, formulate a differential diagnosis and management plan, and communicate the plan to the patient.
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.
, but also in many other parts of the world. Hosting sites include Bahrain
, Malaysia, Dubai
, Abu Dhabi
, Egypt
, Kuwait
, Pakistan
, India
, Singapore
and Hong Kong
. Examination fees at centres outside the UK are significantly higher than at UK centres.
In Singapore
, the MRCP(UK) and MMed are often taken together. In Hong Kong
, taking MRCP(UK) also involves taking the FHKAM.http://www.hkcp.org/
Candidates may elect to participate in any of a number of training courses, online revision websitesor use mobile applications as revision aids to improve their chances of passing.
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
(UK) – the Royal College of Physicians of London, the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh
Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh
The Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh was established in the 17th century. While the RCPE is based in Edinburgh, it is by no means just a Scottish professional body - more than half of its 7,700 Fellows, Members, Associates and Affiliates live and practice medicine outside Scotland, in 86...
, and the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow
Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow
The Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow, is an institute of physicians and surgeons in Glasgow, Scotland.Founded by Peter Lowe after receiving a royal charter by James VI in 1599, as the Glasgow Faculty, this institution originally existed as a regulatory authority to ensure that...
. 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
Royal College of Physicians of Ireland
The Royal College of Physicians of Ireland , was founded in 1654 and is a postgraduate medical organisation comprising Members and Fellows...
, 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)" was 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.
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 comprises two 8-minute "integrated clinical assessments" requiring the candidate to take a focussed history and examination, formulate a differential diagnosis and management plan, and communicate the plan to the patient.
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 KingdomUnited Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
, but also in many other parts of the world. Hosting sites include Bahrain
Bahrain
' , officially the Kingdom of Bahrain , is a small island state near the western shores of the Persian Gulf. It is ruled by the Al Khalifa royal family. The population in 2010 stood at 1,214,705, including 235,108 non-nationals. Formerly an emirate, Bahrain was declared a kingdom in 2002.Bahrain is...
, Malaysia, Dubai
Dubai
Dubai is a city and emirate in the United Arab Emirates . The emirate is located south of the Persian Gulf on the Arabian Peninsula and has the largest population with the second-largest land territory by area of all the emirates, after Abu Dhabi...
, Abu Dhabi
Abu Dhabi
Abu Dhabi , literally Father of Gazelle, is the capital and the second largest city of the United Arab Emirates in terms of population and the largest of the seven member emirates of the United Arab Emirates. Abu Dhabi lies on a T-shaped island jutting into the Persian Gulf from the central western...
, Egypt
Egypt
Egypt , officially the Arab Republic of Egypt, Arabic: , is a country mainly in North Africa, with the Sinai Peninsula forming a land bridge in Southwest Asia. Egypt is thus a transcontinental country, and a major power in Africa, the Mediterranean Basin, the Middle East and the Muslim world...
, Kuwait
Kuwait
The State of Kuwait is a sovereign Arab state situated in the north-east of the Arabian Peninsula in Western Asia. It is bordered by Saudi Arabia to the south at Khafji, and Iraq to the north at Basra. It lies on the north-western shore of the Persian Gulf. The name Kuwait is derived from the...
, Pakistan
Pakistan
Pakistan , officially the Islamic Republic of Pakistan is a sovereign state in South Asia. It has a coastline along the Arabian Sea and the Gulf of Oman in the south and is bordered by Afghanistan and Iran in the west, India in the east and China in the far northeast. In the north, Tajikistan...
, India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
, Singapore
Singapore
Singapore , officially the Republic of Singapore, is a Southeast Asian city-state off the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula, north of the equator. An island country made up of 63 islands, it is separated from Malaysia by the Straits of Johor to its north and from Indonesia's Riau Islands by the...
and Hong Kong
Hong Kong
Hong Kong is one of two Special Administrative Regions of the People's Republic of China , the other being Macau. A city-state situated on China's south coast and enclosed by the Pearl River Delta and South China Sea, it is renowned for its expansive skyline and deep natural harbour...
. Examination fees at centres outside the UK are significantly higher than at UK centres.
In Singapore
Singapore
Singapore , officially the Republic of Singapore, is a Southeast Asian city-state off the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula, north of the equator. An island country made up of 63 islands, it is separated from Malaysia by the Straits of Johor to its north and from Indonesia's Riau Islands by the...
, the MRCP(UK) and MMed are often taken together. In Hong Kong
Hong Kong
Hong Kong is one of two Special Administrative Regions of the People's Republic of China , the other being Macau. A city-state situated on China's south coast and enclosed by the Pearl River Delta and South China Sea, it is renowned for its expansive skyline and deep natural harbour...
, taking MRCP(UK) also involves taking the FHKAM.http://www.hkcp.org/
Fees
As well as difficult, the examinations, in common with other examinations of the UK Royal Colleges, are relatively expensive - at present costing £1395 from start to finish if all parts are taken in the UK - assuming each examination is passed in a single attempt. However the overall pass rate in any given exam diet for the Part 1, Part 2 written, and Part 2 PACES examinations are around 40%,70%,and 40% respectively meaning for a majority of candidates it will cost significantly more due to the cost of repeated attempts.Candidates may elect to participate in any of a number of training courses, online revision websitesor use mobile applications as revision aids to improve their chances of passing.