In the first episode of our 'Demystifying PACES' series, Dr Kat Ralston and Dr Hannah Preston interview Dr Rod Harvey, RCPE Dean of Examinations (at time of recording), and discuss the new PACES exam.

They discuss the rationale and process behind the update to the MRCP(UK) PACES exam and explore the changes to the exam in detail for candidates sitting PACES. Dr Rod Harvey discusses the seven skills that are assessed over the five stations, as well as sharing some useful tips on what examiners are looking for, and advice on preparing for the exam.

Dr Rod Harvey is a Consultant Acute Physician and Endocrinologist, working in Inverness. He was also the Dean of Examinations at the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh (at the time of recording).

Dr Kat Ralston is a Geriatric Medicine Registrar and member of the Trainees and Members’ Committee, currently working in Edinburgh.

Dr Hannah Preston is a Renal Registrar and Co-Chair of the Trainees and Members’ Committee, also working in Edinburgh.

-- Links --

MRCP(UK) PACES webpage: https://www.mrcpuk.org/PACES

MRCP(UK) Webinar (Introduction to PACES23): https://www.mrcpuk.org/PACES23Webinar

MRCP(UK) PACES Scenario Videos:
https://www.mrcpuk.org/mrcpuk-examinations/paces/sample-scenarios-0

RCPE webpage on PACES: https://www.rcpe.ac.uk/exams/paces23

-- Choose RCPE as your College of Entry for PACES --
We encourage you to sit PACES with our College. We have a friendly and experienced examinations team who expertly support candidates, and we deliver PACES at centres across the UK. Select RCPE as your College of Entry when applying online through your My MRCP(UK) online account.

Disclaimer: Please always refer to the MRCP(UK) PACES website for up-to-date information on the PACES exam, as what is discussed in this episode may change. See: https://www.mrcpuk.org/PACES

Recording date: 5 June 2023

-- Follow us --
https://www.instagram.com/rcpedintrainees
https://twitter.com/RCPEdinTrainees

-- Upcoming RCPE Events --
https://events.rcpe.ac.uk/

Feedback: cme@rcpe.ac.uk

Career Conversations

PACES23 - Introduction (02 Aug 2023)

Demystifying PACES - Introduction (02 Aug 2023)

In this episode, Dr Marilena Giannoudi interviews Dr Mudher Al-Khairalla about the PACES respiratory system examination encounter (Station 1). Dr Al-Khairalla gives an overview of the encounter including examiner calibration and skills tested, and shares top tips and common pitfalls.

Dr Al-Khairalla is a Consultant & Honorary Lecturer in Respiratory Medicine,
University of Dundee and GIM Clinical Lead at Perth Royal Infirmary, NHS Tayside. Dr Al-Khairalla has been hosting the MRCP UK PACES exam since 2011 and chair of examiners both in the UK and internationally. 

Dr Marilena Giannoudi is a cardiology registrar based in Leeds. She is a member of the Trainees and Members’ Committee, a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy, and is currently undertaking a PhD.

-- Links --
https://www.mrcpuk.org/mrcpuk-examinations/paces
https://ryder-mrcp.org.uk/ - Please note, RCPE does not endorse any external materials

-- Choose RCPE as your College of Entry for PACES --
We encourage you to sit PACES with our College. We have a friendly and experienced examinations team who expertly support candidates, and we deliver PACES at centres across the UK. Select RCPE as your College of Entry when applying online through your My MRCP(UK) online account.

Recording date: 20 December 2023

Disclaimer: Please always refer to the MRCP website for up-to-date information on the PACES exam. See: https://www.mrcpuk.org/mrcpuk-examinations/paces

-- Follow us --
https://www.instagram.com/rcpedintrainees
https://twitter.com/RCPEdinTrainees

-- Upcoming RCPE Events --
https://events.rcpe.ac.uk/

Feedback: cme@rcpe.ac.uk

Demystifying PACES - Respiratory [Station 1]

Demystifying PACES - Respiratory [Station 1] (31 Jan 2024)

This week, Dr Marilena Giannoudi focuses on the geriatric career path with Dr Kat Ralston. This episode covers the day-to-day as well as the advantages, challenges, and the pathway to this profession. Dr Ralston provides many resources to inform your journey into geriatric medicine and discusses a few interesting cases she has encountered. 

Dr Kat Ralston is a geriatric medicine registrar in Edinburgh. She is also the Education Co-Vice Chair and the joint Podcast Lead for the RCPE Trainee & Members' Committee (T&MC).

Dr Marilena Giannoudi is a cardiology registrar based in Leeds. She is Co-Chair of the Trainees and Members’ Committee, a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy, and is currently undertaking a PhD.

--Useful Links--
Physician Higher Specialty Training Recruitment - https://www.phstrecruitment.org.uk/specialties/geriatric-medicine

British Geriatrics Society
https://www.bgs.org.uk/

Clinical Frailty Scale - 
https://www.bgs.org.uk/sites/default/files/content/attachment/2018-07-05/rockwood_cfs.pdf

REDMAP Framework
https://www.spict.org.uk/red-map/

Think Delirium Toolkit
https://learn.nes.nhs.scot/2442/rrheal/education-networks/rural-teams-education-network/think-delirium-improving-the-care-for-older-people-delirium-toolkit

The Geriatric 5M’s
https://agsjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/jgs.14979

Silver Book II
Geriatric Syndromes (British Geriatrics Society) - https://www.bgs.org.uk/resources/silver-book-ii-geriatric-syndromes

ACB Calculator
https://www.acbcalc.com/

-- Related episodes --

A Fresh Look at the Geriatric Giants – Front Door and Beyond, Clinical Conversations Podcast
https://podcasts.rcpe.ac.uk/show/clinical-conversations/a-fresh-look-at-the-geriatric-giants-front-door-and-beyond-26-feb-2024

Frailty for the Non-Specialist, Clinical Conversations Podcast 
https://podcasts.rcpe.ac.uk/show/clinical-conversations/frailty-for-the-non-specialist-11-mar-2024

Recording Date: 02 April 2024

Choose RCPE as your College of Entry for PACES -- 
We encourage you to sit PACES with our College. We have a friendly and experienced examinations team who expertly support candidates, and we deliver PACES at centres across the UK. Select RCPE as your College of Entry when applying online through your My MRCP(UK) online account.

-- Follow us --
www.instagram.com/rcpedintrainees
twitter.com/RCPEdinTrainees

-- Upcoming RCPE Events --
events.rcpe.ac.uk/

Feedback: cme@rcpe.ac.uk

Medical Specialties - Geriatric Medicine (4 Dec 2024)

RCPE's Podcast Series 'Career Conversations' by the Trainees & Members' Committee (T&MC).

Demystifying PACES - Introduction (02 Aug 2023)

Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh

Related tracks