Free AMC OSCE / RACGP OSCE course

Any of you are interested in finding out more about exam, preparing for above exam, need some help or would like to do some practice, please contact Ms Angela Aldred at Grampian Medicare Local, Ballarat.
They run this course on Saturday and it is once a month. To my knowledge, this course is free.

Contact detail for Ms Aldred is
Phone - 03 5331 6303
Email - angelaa@grampiansml.com.au
Website  - www.grampiansML.com.au

Fitness to drive

I recently received queries from an OTD/IMG regarding AMC exams and Australian medical practice. I will post question and answer as I find time. 

Q - I carefully checked  the list you provided us with (from your blog  http://imgaustralia.blogspot.com.au/2010/10/books-you-need-to-read-for-amc-exam.html  ) . Some books I managed to find online but some others I couldn't. But there is one book in the list which is quite shocking and it is "Assessing fitness to drive - freely available from website" . I mean why is that among the must read books and is it in the list by mistake?!

A - There are always one or two question related to fitness to drive in AMC exam - only one authentic book out there for fitness to drive in Australia. I know it is extensive and messy, but no other way around. I would suggest you try to find answer related to common scenario like MI, epilepsy, DM, collapse and visual requirement for driving and that will be enough rather than reading whole book.

Q - Medicine is really a huge field and pretty much hard to cover (you can't be 100% prepared), so is there a catch how to learn the stuff from the books and what is the best way to be prepared for the exam (it is not just a single book or 3 books it is a complete knowledge)? Should we basically prepare that exam by reading each of the MCQs from the main AMC MCQ book and then expand/build the knowledge for each of the questions  by reading about them from other books listed?

A - Answer of this question lies in your question. There is no such thing that you read 1-2 books in medicine. On fun side, I can tell you read John Murtagh GP, Harrison's Internal Medicine and AMC MCQ book and if you can remember everything you don't need any other book. You will pass. 

Q- Since I'm about to prepare myself just for the MCQ CAT and then start the internship in Australia (if possible) I want to ask are all the books you listedhttp://imgaustralia.blogspot.com.au/2010/10/books-you-need-to-read-for-amc-exam.html  just for that first part (not for the clinical part which can be taken later  during or upon the completion of internship)? I'm asking you that because you put as 3rd book in the list - " AMC Handbook of Clinical Assessment (for part 2, but should read for part 1 if you can)" and again as 7th in the second group - " Systemic Guide to Physical Diagnose by Talley and O'Connor - DVD comes with the book and that is really helpful for physical examination" . Are these books for the MCQ ? Or for the clinical part?

A - You should read all the book to start with. The book you specifically asked, they are for clinical examination only, but while you looking for internship and doing internship that knowledge will come handy. 

Q - What about the therapeutic guidelines, there are plenty of them  (http://www.amc.org.au/index.php/pub#pophealth  the huge list starts from Public health) , which to use exactly?

A - Simple answer is yes. In my view you don't need to read any. If you really want to read then read Therapeutic Guidelines for antibiotics as they are different in different region of the world. 

Q- You listed some books that are not even in the AMC list http://www.amc.org.au/index.php/pub   such are "The Australian Immunisation Handbook" ,  "Oxford Handbook of Clinical Medicine" , "Oxford Handbook of Clinical Specialities" etc.

A - This is from my personal experience and I used these books when I prepared for my exam. Remember clinical knowledge remains same throughout world, but application of that knowledge changes according to area. 

Q- The immunisation book is in the list too? Is this the book. What should we paid attention to when learning from this book since there are so many information and tables there ?

A - Focus on immunisation schedule, requirement, contraindication, administration and common side effects of vaccination listed on schedule.

Q - As for the test, is it a test which we do by writing on the paper or some other way (since I read that we can look back at the questions we did not answer at the first place after completing the very last question).

A - In Australia, it (AMC MCQ) is all computer based exam. I am not sure about overseas centres, but I think all are computer based now for AMC exam.

Q -  There are also the non-scored questions mentioned so do we have to answer them too?

A - Don't worry about them, as you will not able to recognise them differently. To you all will look same. 

Q-   What about the dosages of the medications ? Should we learn them and if yes for which conditions ?

A - Common (i.e Abx for pneumonia, COPD, analgesia etc)  and emergency medications ( like medication for MI, anaphylaxis etc), you need to remember everything including dosage. 

AON, DWS question

Dear Sir

How are you? I passed all 16stations in amc clinicals. I didnt get job in NT campaign and I am not selected in round 1 WA. I am very concerned about my career.Now I am thinking about taking up GP job but for this I need to pass PESCI and thers lot of other confusions like AON, DWS. Could you please advise me in this regard? I am getting few GP jobs in Sydney but I dont know whether I would get registration if its not in AON or DWS. I called AHPRA they told me I dont require AON or DWS to obtain registration but what about provider number? could you please explain me these?

Hi Dr Z, 

Don't feel bad - at present market in Australia is saturated. People not even getting observership, so if you has observership, you will get there. 

Try less competition area - like SA and QLD, where you have higher chances. Try in rural area of this states. 

If you want to get in GP land - you have to understand 10 year memorandum for overseas trained doctor. 

You cannot have your provider number for 10 years, but you can work in hospital without that. As a GP, you get limited provider number and it is location specific. You can only work in AON and DWS - in rural area, where you can get provider number. After 10 years, you are free to go anywhere in Australia. 

It is unlikely that you will get provider number for Sydney, but outer Sydney or other area would be fine. It is not your problem, your employer will apply and get that done, otherwise you won't get job. 

Remember, registration and provider numbers are not your problem, if your prospective employer is happy to give you job, then things will get sorted and he/she will have answer for that. 

APHRA is registration body who usually gives registration to all appropriate candidates. If you have job as doctor - obviously you are appropriate!!

NSW Jobs

Application for NSW Junior Medical Officer (JMO) has commenced today. Please visit http://www.health.nsw.gov.au/jobs/recruitment/jmo.asp
for further information about application.
Remember application closes on 15 August 2012. 

QLD jobs

Application for junior medical officer (resident medical officer) for Queensland Health has commenced today. Please visit http://www.health.qld.gov.au/rmo/apply_now.asp for application and further information.
Remember application closes on 16 of July 2012.

MCQ 62

Haematochromatosis is

1. Autosomal dominant
2. Autosomal recessive
3. X - linked condition
4. It has not genetic cause
5. It is a type of iron deficiency anaemia

MCQ 61

You arranged FNAC for patient in question 58. Showed degenerative colloid nodule with carcinomatous changes. You refer patient to Endocrine surgeon for review and further management. What is not true about Thyroid surgery from following?

1. If there are pressure symptoms due to multinodulat goitre with a dominant nodule, total thyroidectomy is recommended choice
2. In a patient with a thyroid nodule and Graves' disease, anaesthesia and surgery must be deferred until TSH has normalized
3. If there is a definite diagnose of malignancy, hemithyroidectomy is appropriate
4. The major risks of total thyroidecomy are hoarseness of the voice and permanent hypothyroidecomy
5. Surgery should be done if there is clinical suspicion about malignancy or concern about growth of nodule even if investigations are unremarkable.