Identifying factors associated with performance in a mock CSA: perceptions from trainees and trainers from one deanery.

BACKGROUND: The Clinical Skills Assessment (CSA) exam is a required component to obtain Membership to the Royal College of General Practitioners (MRCGP). This initial study was part of a wider initiative to reduce the first-time failure rates of the real CSA exam with further follow-up studies planned. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: Second-year GP specialty trainees (ST2) took part in a mock CSA exam. GP trainers from Dorset were invited to help facilitate the session as part of a 'trainers' education day'. Trainers were given a 3-hour updating training session led by a CSA examiner on how the mock CSAs were scored prior to observing and facilitating the mock exams. Trainee characteristics were analysed with a view to identifying what combination of factors were associated with performance in the mock CSA exam. Particular attention was placed on linguistic skills since a number of recent high-profile cases involving communication difficulties have attracted media interest. Open-ended responses were collected from feedback questionnaires in order to obtain perceptions about exam preparation and support. RESULTS: Thirty GP trainees attended a mock CSA training day as well as over 60 GP trainers. IMG characteristics were associated with poor performance in the mock CSA exam. Open-ended responses from trainees indicated that future preparation would be more focused in light of the mock CSA. As a result of attending the training day the GP trainers felt they had picked up skills and knowledge to help their GP registrars pass the CSA exam in the future. CONCLUSIONS: This study identified characteristics that may help predict success in the mock CSA exam. These characteristics were similar to national statistics for the real CSA exam. Overall feedback from the day was positive to such an extent that further CSA mock days have been planned in the Dorset General Practice Vocational Training Scheme (GPVTS) and interest has been expressed from other GP training schools in the region for using a mock system in the training of new GPs.