The MRCP(UK) examination enjoys a tremendous reputation internationally. Recent changes to the immigration system have made it difficult for international graduates to come to the UK for training, which has resulted in many doctors taking the MRCP examination without having worked in UK. Understandably, these doctors face difficulty in tackling the exam, especially the talking stations (2 and 4) of the Practical Assessment of Clinical Examination Skills examination (PACES). Our answer to the problem was to set up preparatory courses for the MRCP examination in our hospital. Although faced with logistical difficulties we have managed, with support from our consultant colleagues, to set up and run courses both for Part 1 and the PACES examination of Part 2. In holding the courses we have identified a huge deficiency in the training of our doctors in communication skills. We hope that similar courses will be set up across the country, and that communication skills will gain more recognition in the medical curricula at all levels.
