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GPStRs will be
eligible to take the CSA when they are within twelve months of the
expected date of completing their training.
The CSA
will be February, May and October every year. The assessment centre
is located in Croydon.
Format of the assessment
Each
candidate is allocated a consulting room and has 13 consultations,
each of 10 minutes. Twelve of these are assessed; the 13th is a
pilot case. Patients are played by role-players who have been
trained and calibrated to perform their role in a consistent manner.
Candidates’ performance on each consultation is graded 1)
Clear Pass, 2)
Marginal Pass, 3) Marginal Fail
or 4) Clear Fail by assessors who
observe the consultations. Assessors are also trained and
calibrated.
The CSA
will test mainly from the following areas of the curriculum:
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Primary Care Management -
recognition and management of common medical conditions in
primary care.
-
Problem Solving Skills - gathering
and using data for clinical judgment, choice of examination,
investigations and their interpretation. Demonstration of a
structured and flexible approach to decision making.
-
Comprehensive Approach -
demonstration of proficiency in the management of co-morbidity
and risk.
-
Person-centred Care - communication
with patient and the use of recognised consultation techniques
to promote a shared approach to managing problems.
-
Attitudinal Aspects - practising
ethically with respect for equality and diversity, with accepted
professional codes of conduct.
The CSA
will also test:
Applying to sit the CSA
Trainees
who have registered with the RCGP and are eligible to sit the CSA
(i.e. they are within the last twelve months of training) can apply
online for a morning or afternoon session on a particular date.
Dates will be offered until fully booked, after which further dates
will be offered. Fees must be paid at the time of applying.
Candidates
wishing to change or cancel their booking should refer to the
cancellations and refunds policy that applies to nMRCGP.
Applications are confirmed in an automatically generated email. A
further email with more detail about taking the CSA will be sent
nearer the time.
Disabilities and reasonable adjustments
Candidates
have the opportunity at the application stage to register any
disability and request a reasonable adjustment. The assessment
centre is DDA compliant, but additional appropriate arrangements
will be made for candidates with disabilities or special needs, as
far as these are needed and can be accommodated. The CSA will comply
with all relevant UK legislation in this respect, but candidates
should notify the RCGP of any special requirements at the earliest
possible opportunity.
Equipment
Candidates
are required to bring to the CSA their normal doctor’s bag. The
specific equipment required will be notified to candidates in good
time before they attend for their assessment.
Video recording
Consultations may be recorded as part of quality control and for
training purposes for both assessors and role players. They are not
used to assess performance.
Non-disclosure
The CSA
assessment material is confidential and copyright to RCGP. By
applying to take the CSA candidates agree not to pass on knowledge
of any of the cases. In addition, candidates taking the CSA are
required to sign a non-disclosure agreement.
Results and feedback
Results
will be provided as grades on the twelve assessed cases and an
overall pass or fail. Quantitative and qualitative feedback is given
to all candidates
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