Overview

Effective communication is assessed throughout the MRCS Part B examination and extends well beyond interpersonal skills alone. Candidates are expected to communicate with empathy, professionalism, and clarity while demonstrating sound clinical judgement within strict examination timings.

This intensive online session, which is part of the Doctors Academy MRCS Part B Focus Sessions, recreates the communication stations encountered in the MRCS Part B using realistic clinical scenarios and simulated patients. The scenarios discussed include obtaining informed consent, breaking bad news, explaining complications, discussing post-operative care, managing challenging conversations, and responding to patient concerns.

Each participant undertakes multiple mock stations and receives immediate, individualised feedback on his/her communication style, organisation, professionalism, non-verbal behaviours, clinical reasoning, and examination technique.

The emphasis is not simply on what candidates say but on how effectively they communicate under examination conditions. Through repeated practice and focused guidance, participants develop greater confidence, consistency, and fluency in readiness for the exam.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of the session, participants will be able to:

• demonstrate structured patient-centred communication.
• manage challenging communication scenarios confidently.
• apply effective consultation frameworks within MRCS OSCE stations.
• communicate safely, professionally, and empathetically.
• perform confidently under timed examination conditions.

What the Session Includes

• Multiple simulated communication stations.
• Individualised feedback from consultant surgeons and simulated patients.
• Guidance on verbal and non-verbal communication.
• Discussion of common expectations of examiners.
• Practical strategies to improve confidence and fluency.
• Personalised feedback with recommendations for further revision.

Why Choose Doctors Academy?

Every MRCS Part B Focus Session is built around the principles of deliberate practice, active participation, and individualised feedback. Every delegate actively participates throughout the session and receives personalised guidance tailored to his or her learning needs.

The session is convened and academically directed by Professor S. Enoch, Chair of Faculty and Director of the internationally reputed Cardiff MRCS Part B OSCE Course, a role he has held since 2008. Over the past two decades, he has led MRCS teaching programmes in the UK and internationally, with many thousands of surgical trainees benefiting from his teaching and educational leadership.

The faculty for the MRCS Part B Focus Sessions comprises experienced consultant surgeons and surgical educators who form the core faculty of the Cardiff MRCS Part B OSCE Course. They provide feedback that extends beyond factual knowledge; they focus on organisation, communication, clinical reasoning, professionalism, examination technique, and time management in order to help candidates understand not only where marks are gained or lost but also how to improve their overall performance.