PACES Education North East specialises in delivering preparation and training for trainee doctors wishing to undertake the MRCP PACES and progress to specialist training. Our signature 3 day MRCP PACES course offers a comprehensive training programme for anyone wishing to undertake the assessment, building your confidence alongside your practical knowledge and skills.

What is MRCP PACES?

It is a challenging examination that tests the clinical knowledge and skills of trainee doctors. It forms the second part of the MRCP (UK) examinations for trainee doctors who wish to enter higher specialist training. To undertake the MRCP PACES, you'll need to have passed the Part 1 written examination within the last 7 years.

As the Practical Assessment of Clinical Examination Skills (PACES), this examination ensures trainees are competent across a range of skills and can provide a high standard of care to patients.

How is MRCP PACES structured?

PACES assesses trainee doctors ability to carry out essential clinical skills. It takes place across a range of areas and takes places across five clinical stations, each designed to assess the trainee's clinical knowledge and skills.

The structure of the exam is based on five stations which comprise Respiratory, Abdomen, History, Cardiovascular, Nervous System and Communication. Each station presents trainees with different encounters, and at each, the trainee is assessed on seven skills. For each skill, trainees receive a graded mark of Satisfactory (2 marks), Borderline (1 mark) or Unsatisfactory (0 marks). Candidates have 20 minutes at each station.

What skills does MRCP PACES assess?

MRCP PACES assesses seven core skills:

Physical Examination

Demonstrate correct, thorough, systematic (or focused in Station 5 encounters), appropriate, fluent, and professional technique of physical examination.

Identifying Physical Signs

Identify physical signs correctly, and not find physical signs that are not present.

Clinical Communication

Elicit a clinical history relevant to the patient’s complaints, in a systematic, thorough (or focused in Station 5 encounters), fluent and professional manner. Explain relevant clinical information in an accurate, clear, structured, comprehensive, fluent and professional manner.

Differential Diagnosis

Create a sensible differential diagnosis for a patient that the candidate has personally clinically assessed.

Clinical Judgement

Select or negotiate a sensible and appropriate management plan for a patient, relative or clinical situation. Select appropriate investigations or treatments for a patient that the candidate has personally clinically assessed. Apply clinical knowledge, including knowledge of law and ethics, to the case.

Managing Patients' Concerns

Seek, detect, acknowledge and address patients’ or relatives’ concerns. Listen to a patient or relative, confirm their understanding of the matter under discussion and demonstrate empathy.

Maintaining Patient Welfare

Treat a patient or relative respectfully and sensitively and in a manner that ensures their comfort, safety and dignity.