PLAB

PLAB - Professional and Linguistic Assessments Board

                                                  This is the qualifying exam for UK

                                                                                    Contributed by Dr Ajesh b mathew (Newzealand)

The test is in two parts:

Part 1 is a computer-marked written examination consisting of single best answer (SBA) questions. The paper contains 200 questions and may contain images. It lasts three hours. You can have an unlimited number of attempts but you must pass Part 1 within two years of the date of your IELTS certificate or the date we specify when accepting alterative evidence of your proficiency in English.


Part 2 is an Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE). It is made up of:

14 clinical scenarios or 'stations' and  a rest station

one or more pilot stations run for statistical purposes, where the marks do not count towards your result.

Each station lasts five minutes. You must pass Part 2 within three years of passing Part 1. You can have four attempts at Part 2. If you fail at the fourth attempt you will have to retake IELTS and both parts of the PLAB test

BEFORE YOU APPLY FOR PLAB

you must have:

an acceptable primary medical qualification (PMQ).
All IMGs must possess an acceptable PMQ to apply for registration with a licence to practise.
You must ensure that your primary medical qualification is acceptable before applying to sit PLAB.

If you are from outside the European Economic Area (EEA) or if you are a UK national who graduated outside the EEA, you will need to demonstrate your English language capability.

a score of at least 7.0 in each testing area (speaking, listening, reading and writing)

that you got these scores in the same test that you took the academic version of the test the original stamp and test report form (TRF) number


Your IELTS test result is only valid for a period of two years from the date you passed it.

You should also have 12 months' postgraduate clinical experience (Foundation Year 1 training post or internship post) from a teaching or other hospital approved by the medical registration authority in the appropriate country. You can take the PLAB test without this experience but you should bear in mind that the test is set at a level that assumes that you have it. If you do pass the test without this experience, you will have to seek employment in a Foundation Year 1 training post (the grade occupied by new medical graduates).

APPLYING FOR PART1

go to site  http://www.gmc-uk.org/doctors/plab/advice_part1.asp


PREPARING FOR PART1

BOOKS NEEDED

1)OHCM :Oxford Handbook of Clinical Medicine.
2)OHCS: Oxford Handbook of Clinical Specialities

Clinical Medicine (Oxford Assess and Progress)
Clinical Specialties (Oxford Assess and Progress)

As the GMC has recently changed the pattern to single best answers(SBA) , the old emq books are not needed but the concept and the areas of interest are much the same.So if time permits go through
RXPG SERIES:FIRST AID FOR THE PLAB PART 1 EXAM
PLAB DIGEST


There is also a good online course at   http://www.onexamination.com/   has a lot of questions as well as detailed answers


SCHEDULE FOR PREPARING PLAB 1

Clinical Medicine...

1. Renal system and Acid base balance (3 DAYS)
2. Infectious Disease & HIV (3 DAYS)
3. Respiratory (4 DAYS)
4. Endo (3 DAYS)
5. GIT (2 DAYS)
6. CVS (3 DAYS)
7. Hematology (3 DAYS)
8. Neurology. (3 DAYS)

Specialties

1. Psychiatry.(3 DAYS)
2. Obstetrics. 2 DAYS
3. Gynecology( 2 DAYS)
4. Pediatrics. (3 DAYS)
5. Orthopedic and rheumatology (3 DAYS)
6. Ent and eye (2 DAYS)
7. Dermatology (1 DAY)
8. Pharmacology and miscellaneous ( E. syndromes , emergency and onco ) 2 DAYS
9. Procedures. 1 DAY
10. Surgery (3 DAYS)

Revision

1 MONTH
Including At least 5 year Past Papers ( Recalls )
Make Short Mnemonics Of Different Scenarios
Discussion Of Area Of Difficulty with a study buddy(preferably)

When in doubt always look up uk reference some useful links are
www.gpnotebook.co.uk
www.patient.co.uk (good site with useful information)

Some other really useful links
https://www.facebook.com/groups/Plab1/

APPLYING FOR PART2
http://www.gmc-uk.org/doctors/plab/advice_part2.asp

PREPARING FOR PART 2
1. Make a List of all the past exam stations, They never introduce a new station before making it as a pilot first so there is no surprises.
2. Find a study partner and test each other in different scenarios, this can be done through skype, phone, in person
3. Google videos for the important clinical skills.


ALWAYS INTRODUCE YOURSELF!


a. Visual fied exam
b. Cranial nerve exam
c. Fundoscopy
d. Minimental
e. Cardiovascular examination
f. Abdominal Exam
g. Per Vagina exam
h. Per Rectum Exam
i. Knee Examination
j. Hand Examination
h. chest and abdomen x-ray interpretation
l. EKG interpretation
m. Basic suturing
n. urinary catheter
o. Pregnant woman Physical examiation
p. Foot exam
q. CPR
r. Assesment of unconcius patient
s. Taking a cervical smear
t.Taking Bloods
4.Read GMC guidance about Rote behaviur in the exam and try to avoid it
5.Comunication skills
a. Basic history taking
b. Breaking bad news
c. Inform the patient about management of chronic illness
d. Explain to the patient how to use their medication (or inhaler)
e.Contraceptionassesment and counseling
f. Psychiatric assesment (depression/anorexia/agitated patient)
g. Pre-op counselling
h. Provide information about a patient to a consultant over the phone

There are also a number of coaching centres for plab 2 exam
www.plabtrainer.co.uk
www.plabright.com/

AFTER PLAB2
After you pass, you can apply for registration with a licence to practise.
For more information on applying for registration with a licence to practise visit
http://www.gmc-uk.org/doctors/applications.asp