PACES stands for Practical Assessment of Clinical Examination Skills

1) Exam Process

2) Entry requirements
2) Recommended Books for PACES
3) Useful exam contact information

The process of this exam is best summarized by this image from Royal College MRCP website

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:• passed the MRCP(UK) Part 2Written Examination (or have been awarded exemption)

• completed a minimum period of training of two and a half years from the date of graduation given on their diploma of medical qualification.

Not less than 12 months should have been spent in posts involving the care of emergency medical patients, either
adults or children

• Within the last 18 months of this training period
• And within the last five years before the date of taking the MRCP(UK) Part 2 Clinical Examination (PACES).
It would be desirable for candidates to spend a period of at least six months in a post in which there is a strong emphasis on responsibility for unselected emergency admissions.

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PACES Books The following list is a short recommendation for this exam books, the books at the top are more recommended then the books lower down down the order. Happy reading...

Aid to the MRCP Paces: Volume 1
R.E.J. Ryder, Afzal Mir, Anne Freeman

An absolute essential book while preparing for the PACES. There is an initial introduction about systematic examination of various systems and then it plunges headlong into the most common possibilities under station 1,3,5.Its does not give differentials for every station but what it mentions on the 'findings delivery' bit is pure gold!." This exam is passes on how well you can sell your findings". The various anecdotes and experiences of past candidates are excellent and a great reminder of how unpredictable this exam can be. whatever it is, it teaches you the correct things to say when faced with the typical exam patient which is something you would otherwise bump into once in 2years!]. Use it in conjuction with baliga and a good clinical course -it 'll make the exam easily passable. I did-and passed in the first attempt!.

An Aid to the MRCP Paces: Volume 2
R.E.J. Ryder

A must have book for any candidate who is seriously preparing for the MRCP PACES .Also a life saver for someone who has a lack of time or enough UK experience to be comfortable with the system. The discussion in both the history taking and ethics section is invaluable in daily medical practice. I wish I had this book much earlier!

250 Cases in Clinical Medicine (MRCP Study Guides)
Ragavendra R. Baliga

A collection of clinical cases arranged by clinical area, emphasising the key diagnostic features of clinical conditions as commonly presented in the short case part of the Final MB examination and the new OSCE-style exam called PACES (Practice Assessment of Clinical Examination Skills) for the MRCP examinations. Also included are likely instructions or commands expected from the examiner for each condition, and the key points which the candidate must tell the examiner.

MRCP 2: Passing the Paces
J. Gray

This title provides the necessary exam preparation for candidates taking the PACES. All areas of the examination are covered in subject order and examination schemes are included for all of these areas. Contains short cases Cardiovascular system, Central Nervous System, Skin, Locomotor, Eye, Endocrine examination, Respiratory and Abdominal System. Also includes sections for Station 2 (History Taking Skills and Station 4 (Communication and Ethics).

PACES for MRCP: Pt. 2
Paul Jenkins, Philip Kelly, Thomas Powles

PACES FOR MRCP PART 2 Dr Paul Jenkins MA MD MRCP, Dr Philip Kelly MRCP £19.95 280 pages with illustrations Chapters covering all five PACES stations (Respiratory and Abdominal; History taking; Cardiovascular and Neurological; Communication Skills; Skin, Locomotor, Eyes and Endocrine). The MRCP Part 2 Oral and Clinical component was replaced by PACES (Practical Assessment of Clinical Examination Skills) in June 2001. This text aims to match the content and level of difficulty of this examination. It contains chapters that cover all five PACES stations - respiratory and abdominal; history taking; cardiovascular and neurological; communication skills; and skin, locomotor, eyes and endocrine - and presents the ten most common diagnoses in each station. The book presents detailed information on relevant points of examination, summary of presentation, causes of the diagnosis, investigations and brief management. A communication skills chapter contains information on informing patients about diagnosis, relevant features of a disease, complications, prognosis, investigations and management.

Get Through MRCP: Paces: Pt.2
Eric Beck, S Rehman

With first hand experience of devising and implementing PACES, this title provides comprehensive preparation for the final section of the MRCP (UK) - Part 2: The Five Clinical Stations in the Practical Assessment of Clinical Examination Skills (PACES). Tackling both traditional systems examination stations and the new 'talking' stations of History Taking and Communications Skills/Ethics, a recommended procedure to follow for each station is provided. The examiners' marking sheet and the clinical method being tested, explained and analysed for each station, with explanation of pre-arranged Pass/Fail criteria and the issues surrounding the use of real patients at a station versus surrogate patients. This title also highlights typical avoidable errors and offers advice on time-management, use of questioning techniques, using the referral letter and awareness of GMC guidelines. Role differences in the doctor/ patient relationship are also considered for different cultures, worldwide.

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PACES contact information

For those seeking further information, please contact the Exams Department:

Edinburgh College

Jo Gibson PACES Co-ordinator,
Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh,
9 Queen Street,
Edinburgh,
EH2 1JQ
Tel:0131 225 7324
Fax:0131 225 2053

Glasgow College

Mrs Sylvia Hynds PACES Co-ordinator,
Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow,
242 St. Vincent Street,
Glasgow,
G2 5RJ
Tel:0141 221 6072
Fax:0141 248 3414

London College

PACES Candidate Office,
Royal College of Physicians of London,
11 St. Andrews Place,
Regent's Park,
London,
NWI 4LE
Tel:020 7935 1174
Fax:020 7486 4514

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