Tips: Zofishan

Preparing for postgraduate emergency medicine exams while managing clinical duties can be challenging, but with a focused and structured plan, it becomes entirely achievable.

Here’s how I approached the FCPS OSCE, short and long cases, using a mix of targeted resources, repetition, and consistent practice.

FCPS II Theory

I used Tintinalli’s Emergency Medicine (the Big Book) to deepen my understanding of major topics.

Final Two Months

In the last two months before the exam:

• I focused on quick revision of Tintinalli charts and bold text, consolidating key information.

• One month before the exam, I completed all major BCQ books, including De Alwis, 1200, Peer Review, AliEM, Tintinalli, and Pearls of Wisdom, going through each at least twice.

Final Stretch

In the last ten days, my focus was on:

• Past papers

• Tintinalli’s bold text and charts

This combination helped me strengthen recall and pattern recognition, which made a big difference on exam day.

FCPS II Clinical

FCPS OSCE

For the FCPS OSCE, I relied primarily on:

• The Emergency OSCE Red Book

• MRCEM OSCE 125

I reviewed the MRCEM OSCE book twice, focusing on important checklists and high-yield stations.

To refine my performance:

• I practised with a peer at least twice, simulating real OSCE stations.

• This improved my timing, communication, and clinical confidence, all crucial in the exam setting.

Short Cases

For systemic and joint examinations, I used Geeky Medics videos, which simplified the process and helped me remember key steps and clinical cues.

Long Cases

For long cases, I built my approach around structured resuscitation principles using:

• PALS, ACLS, and NRP algorithms

• ATLS from official provider manuals

Applying the ABCDE framework helped me maintain a logical, systematic approach to critical patient management, exactly what the examiners look for.