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Introduction
Having passed the MRCGP simulated consultation assessment (SCA) in February 2023, I found that studying in a group, both within and outside my training scheme, proved incredibly valuable in building my confidence and studying effectively over 2 months. This article will explore the advantages and disadvantages of group study for the SCA and tips on maximising its effectiveness.
Studying in groups
Positives
Motivation boost
Studying for the SCA alongside a demanding general practice workload can be tough. Group sessions provide built-in accountability, pushing you to dedicate extra time to hone your consultation skills. Preparing cases and explanations and practising professional conversations all contribute to your exam, and having that extra peer pressure or accountability each day will add up to the combined practice that will help you pass!
Communication skills
The SCA heavily focuses on communication skills. Practising consultations within a group allows you to learn from different communication styles. For example, I found myself rambling during explanations. Observing a colleague confidently and concisely explaining complex conditions offered a valuable role model to emulate.
Keeping a notebook to capture effective phrases used by others further enhanced my communication skills. Observing peers who ‘mess up’ a consultation can also highlight important pitfalls to avoid, especially in tricky consultations with challenging patients or complex topics.
Exposure to diverse strengths
Group members with varied backgrounds bring unique strengths and perspectives to the table. You can learn from each other’s communication styles, knowledge base, and approaches to different cases. This can be particularly beneficial for areas you haven’t had clinical exposure to.
Practising palliative care, paediatric, or genitourinary medicine cases with colleagues with experience in those areas provided me with valuable ‘clinical gems‘ that boosted my knowledge, explanation techniques, and overall safety-netting for such consultations.
Negatives
Pacing discrepancies
Individual study styles and speeds can create challenges. Some group members might move too quickly or slowly for your needs. I preferred intense revision 1-2 months before the SCA and relaxation before the exam. Studying intensely with colleagues focused on niche topics closer to the exam date escalated my anxiety about preparedness, impacting my confidence.
Conflicting consultation styles
Clashing consultation styles within the group can lead to frustration. Remember, particularly closer to the exam, if a colleague’s style doesn’t align with yours and hinders your learning by increasing anxiety, consider adjusting the group dynamic to optimise your preparation. Having peak confidence is crucial in the lead-up to the exam, as you need to be able to think and react quickly.
Potential for comfort zonesÂ
Groups that shy away from challenging each other might hinder your growth for the exam. After practising together for a while, I noticed our group became overly considerate. When we were role-playing as patients, we’d offer additional information or soften questions during the data-gathering sections.
While maintaining a respectful and constructive feedback environment is important, pushing each other out of our comfort zones ensured better preparation for the diverse cases encountered in the exam. We agreed that playing nice would not help us in our exams, and we used a ‘don’t ask, don’t tell’ approach during role-play.
Finding a study group
A diverse group of study partners can be invaluable for preparing for the SCA. Bringing together colleagues with different strengths allows you to tap into each other’s expertise. Some colleagues might excel in specific specialty areas, while others might have strong skills in particular domains, like Relating to Others. Look for peers preparing for the exam at a similar timeframe, or seek out those with strengths in the areas you want to improve.
Don’t restrict yourself to your immediate friend group or within your training scheme. Reaching out to colleagues from other schemes can be highly beneficial, as they may have learned different approaches to the exam in their training. You can even exchange cases or insights from their teaching sessions, gaining new perspectives and tips that your scheme might not cover. This broader network of peers can significantly enhance your preparation and give you a richer, more well-rounded set of skills for the exam.
Making the most of your group
Plan and organise
Establish a dedicated online platform (e.g. recurring Teams or Zoom link) for communication, resource sharing, and scheduling. Create a clear study plan with goals and utilise breakout rooms within the meetings to simulate back-to-back consultations. Plan to carry out mock exams for each other to get used to the pace of doing six back-to-back consultations to mimic the real exam!
Embrace variety
Incorporate a variety of cases from different sources in your study schedule, referring to the RCGP blueprint to ensure full coverage of the curriculum. Seek a diverse group with varying backgrounds and clinical expertise.
While inter-professional collaboration is common in general practice, consider developing specific strategies for approaching such scenarios within the exam setting, e.g. sit in with a social prescriber in your self-directed learning time and observe how they manage complex social problems.
Find your pace
Discuss and agree on a group study pace that aligns with everyone’s needs and circumstances. Balancing work, personal life, and intense SCA preparation can be overwhelming. Open communication and support within the group are crucial for maintaining your confidence levels and avoiding burnout in the lead-up to the exam.
Avoiding pitfalls
Different paces
Set clear expectations for study sessions by scheduling revision times in advance. Discuss individual preferences – some may prefer cramming closer to the exam. Communicate openly if you prefer a particular approach; you might find others share your style and prefer pre-exam pairing. Ultimately, prioritise your learning style and avoid succumbing to group pressure.
Time management
Allocate realistic time slots for group sessions, balancing work-life balance and self-care breaks. Burning out will hinder your progress and confidence. Recognise the importance of personal time – taking breaks is not a sign of weakness!
Focus discrepancies
If group members prioritise different aspects (communication skills vs. knowledge), consider smaller group sessions or individual knowledge sharing to optimise your learning. Varying session goals can also be helpful, such as focusing on different topics or parts of the consultation in each session.
Instead of continuous consultations, rotate focus areas (e.g. specific topics or consultation sections) to maintain motivation and address individual needs.
Conclusion
By leaning on the strengths of your study group while navigating its potential challenges, you can significantly enhance your preparation for the SCA. A well-organised, diverse, and supportive group can be a powerful tool for your success in this crucial exam.
Editor
Dr Jamie Scriven
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