The aim of the Part 3 exam is to assess the candidate’s ability to demonstrate core clinical skills in the context of the skills, knowledge, attitudes and competences as defined in the MRCOG Part 2 curriculum.
Core modules
The Part 3 exam consists of 14 tasks which are linked to 14 of the knowledge-based modules in the UK O&G curriculum.
- Teaching
- Core surgical skills
- Postoperative care
- Antenatal care
- Maternal medicine
- Management of labour
- Management of delivery
- Postpartum problems (the puerperium)
- Gynaecological problems
- Subfertility
- Sexual and reproductive health
- Early pregnancy care
- Gynaecological oncology
- Urogynaecology and pelvic floor problems
For more detail about the content of each module, please visit the core curriculum page.
Five core skills
The exam will assess the following five core skill domains in the context of the 14 modules:
- Patient safety
- Communicating with patients and families
- Communicating with colleagues
- Information gathering
- Applied clinical knowledge
Each task will assess up to four of the five core skill domains.
What you are expected to demonstrate
Clinical knowledge
The candidate will be expected to demonstrate the application of their clinical knowledge of obstetrics and gynaecology by their ability to:
- Convey a sound and comprehensive evidence-based understanding of the Part 2 MRCOG curriculum in relation to the clinical tasks in the Part 3 examination
- Justify investigations and interventions
- Critically interpret clinical findings and results of investigations
- Critically discuss management options
- Present a balanced view of the risks and benefits of interventions
Fundamental communications skills
The essential communication skills that underpin every patient-doctor interaction will be assessed in the context of all of the knowledge-based modules tested in the Part 3 exam. The candidate will be expected to demonstrate skills in:
- Making an appropriate introduction explaining their name, role, purpose of interaction and establishing a rapport
- Taking a concise, relevant history using a blend of mainly open and some closed questions, demonstrating a logical and clearly reasoned style of questioning
- Empathy, active listening, responding to patient cues
- Identifying and managing communication barriers including the use of interpreters
- Giving information in manageable amounts using patient-friendly language, avoiding jargon and explain clinical terms
- Encouraging dialogue and shared decision making
- Negotiating skills but demonstrating respect for patient autonomy in decision making including when decisions are made against medical advice
- Acknowledging and addressing patient’s concerns
- Taking informed consent including an awareness of mental capacity
- Maintaining patient dignity at all times
- Ensuring appropriate use of chaperones for intimate examinations, maintaining dignity at all times and being sensitive to cultural and religious issues