Intensive 4-Day Revision Course for MRCS OSCE
Thursday 30th April to Sunday 3rd May 2026
College of Physicians and Surgeons of Cardiff (Doctors Academy), Cardiff Bay, Cardiff, UK
About
This intensive 4-day revision course is designed for candidates preparing for the MRCS OSCE, particularly those in the final stages of preparation. Based on the Cardiff MRCS OSCE programme, it focuses on the highest-yield components of the examination, integrating applied basic sciences, clinical and procedural skills, clinical examination, and communication.
The course combines structured teaching with small group practice, simulated OSCE stations, and individualised feedback. Anatomy and pathology are delivered through interactive, faculty-led discussions to reinforce core concepts across the whole cohort, while the remaining components are taught in small groups to allow close supervision, repeated practice, and targeted feedback.
There is a strong emphasis on exam technique, structured responses, and performance under timed conditions to reflect the demands of the MRCS OSCE. Teaching is delivered by experienced surgical education faculty including consultant surgeons, anaesthetists, and senior registrars. In addition, delegates will have access to supplementary online educational content to support pre-course preparation and post-course consolidation.
Day 1: Applied Surgical Sciences I (Anatomy and Pathology)
This day focuses on core knowledge required for the MRCS OSCE, with emphasis on surgical anatomy of the head, neck, thorax, abdomen, and pelvis. Key pathology, oncology principles, physiology, and infection are covered through interactive, faculty-led discussions. Teaching is structured in a viva-style format to help candidates articulate answers clearly and develop a systematic approach to basic science stations.
Day 2: Applied Surgical Sciences II (Anatomy and Pathology)
This day builds on foundational knowledge and focuses on integration and application. Topics include upper and lower limb anatomy, spine, and nerve injuries, alongside system-based pathology and oncological principles. Candidates will also work through interpretation of investigations such as imaging and blood tests. The emphasis is on linking anatomy and pathology to clinical scenarios and developing structured, exam-ready responses.
Day 3: Clinical and Procedural Skills with Critical Care
This day is centred on practical skills and their application in OSCE settings. Delegates will practise core procedures such as suturing, knot tying, haemostatic stitch, infiltration of local anaesthetic, wound management, abscess drainage, cannulation, catheterisation, and chest drain insertion. This is followed by applied critical care scenarios, including fluid management, sepsis, ARDS, renal failure, cardiac failure and inotrope support, and interpretation of clinical data such as arterial blood gases. Teaching focuses on safe technique, clear explanation, and structured decision-making.
Day 4: Clinical Examination and Communication Skills
This day focuses on high-yield OSCE stations involving patient interaction. Candidates will practise systematic clinical examinations including cardiovascular, respiratory, abdominal, neurological, and musculoskeletal assessments, with emphasis on clear presentation of findings. Communication stations will cover history taking, explanation of conditions and procedures, consent, and challenging scenarios. Repeated practice and feedback aim to improve clarity, confidence, and exam performance.
Aims
- To provide a focused and structured revision of core MRCS OSCE topics across applied sciences, clinical skills, and communication.
- To reinforce key anatomical and pathological concepts through interactive discussion and clinical application.
- To develop safe and systematic approaches to common clinical and procedural scenarios.
- To improve candidates’ ability to structure responses clearly and effectively in OSCE and viva settings.
- To enhance confidence and exam readiness through repeated practice and individualised feedback.
Learning Outcomes
By the end of the course, delegates will be able to:- Demonstrate a structured understanding of applied surgical sciences, including anatomy, pathology, physiology, and microbiology relevant to MRCS.
- Apply clinical reasoning to interpret investigations and integrate basic sciences into clinical scenarios.
- Perform and describe core procedural skills safely, including suturing, catheterisation, and emergency interventions.
- Conduct systematic clinical examinations and present findings clearly in an OSCE format.
- Communicate effectively in clinical scenarios, including history taking, consent, and explanation of conditions, in line with MRCS expectations.
Reviews
Topics Covered:
Anatomy:
- Brachial plexus
- Upper limb nerve injuries
- Shoulder and back
- Arm, ante-cubital fossa and forearm
- Wrist and hand
- Skull base, foramina and cranial nerves
- Circle of Willis
- Dural venous sinuses
- Autonomic nervous system
- Face, mandible and parotid gland
- Pterygopalatine and infratemporal fossa
- Neck, larynx and pharynx
- Thorax and mediastinum
- Heart and lung
- Diaphragm
- Anterior abdominal wall, inguinal region and external genitalia
- Peritoneum, lesser sac, epiploic foramen and greater sac
- Liver and spleen, and their ligaments
- Gall bladder and pancreas
- Kidneys and ureter
- Small and large intestine
- Rectum, anal canal, pelvic floor and perineum
- Perineal fascia
- Hemipelvis
- Ligaments of the hip
- Femoral triangle
- Gluteal region
- Adductor canal
- Popliteal fossa
- Lower leg, compartments, ankle and foot
- Lower limb nerve injuries
- Vascular anatomy of the neck, abdomen, and upper and lower limbs
Pathology and Microbiology:
- Basic pathology
- System-specific pathology
- Pathology definitions
- Tumour markers and metastasis
- Cancers of the testis
- Cancers of the thyroid
- Malignant melanoma
- Cutaneous malignancies
- Colorectal malignancies
- Cancers of the breast
- Cancers of the salivary glands
- Barrett’s and cancers of the oesophagus
- Cancer of the stomach
- Carcinoid tumour
- MEN syndromes
- Pheochromocytoma
- Vascular pathologies
- Diverticular disease
- Inflammatory bowel disease
- Surgical microbiology
- Necrotising fasciitis
- Tuberculosis
- Clostridium difficile infection
Applied Surgical Sciences and Critical Care Physiology:
- Acid-base imbalance (metabolic and respiratory acidosis/alkalosis) and their management
- Fluid balance and fluid replacement therapy
- Bleeding and coagulation
- Management of sepsis and septic shock
- Homeostasis and thermoregulation
- Ionotropes
- Normal ventilatory cycle
- Causes and management of post-operative respiratory failure
- Intermittent positive pressure ventilation
- Acute (adult) respiratory distress syndrome
- Applied critical care physiology during the peri-operative period
- Thyroid hormones, hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism
- Parathyroid hormones, their disorders and calcium metabolism
- Function of the pituitary and adrenal glands
- Renal autoregulation
- Renin-angiotensin system
- Cerebral autoregulation
- Space-occupying lesions
- Head injuries and management
- Assessment, pathophysiology and principles of management of burns
- Principles of epidural anaesthesia/assessment
- Pain pathways
- Resuscitation, temperature regulation and hypothermia
- Principles in the management of long bone fractures and pelvic trauma
- Patellar fractures
- Management of fracture neck of femur
- Compartment syndrome
Clinical and Procedural Skills:
- Surgical scrubbing
- Safe use of local anaesthesia
- Knot tying (Reef, Surgeon’s, tying at depth, instrument tie)
- Suturing techniques (simple, mattress, continuous, subcuticular)
- Figure of ‘8’ haemostatic stitch
- Surgical excision of a cutaneous lesion
- Urinary catheterisation
- Cannulation and venepuncture of high-risk patients
- Lumbar puncture
- Performing an FNA
- Insertion of a chest drain
- Organising a theatre list and theatre list prioritisation
Clinical Examination Topics:
- Examination of the abdomen and abdominal organs
- Examination of hernia
- Examination of varicose veins and leg ulcers
- Examination of peripheral vascular disease
- Examination of lumps and lymph nodes
- Examination of cranial nerves
- Examination of cardiorespiratory system
- Examination of the hip, knee
- Examination of the shoulder and back
- Examination of the neck and thyroid
Clinical Consultation Skills:
- Information giving and information gathering
- Challenging situation/patient
- Difficult consultation
- Breaking bad news
- Explaining a diagnosis or discussing management options
- Consent in surgery
- Telephone communication
Quick Information
| Places are currently available | |
|---|---|
| Date | Thursday 30th April to Sunday 3rd May 2026 |
| Venue Google Maps |
College of Physicians and Surgeons of Cardiff (Doctors Academy), Cardiff Bay, Cardiff, UK |
| Course Fee | £625.00 |
| Closing Date | Places will be offered on a first-come-first-served basis and therefore we are unable to provide a precise closing date. |
| No of Places | 16 |
| Dress code | Professional/Semi-formal |
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