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RACGP releases 2020.2 RCE report


Morgan Liotta


13/05/2021 2:59:48 PM

The college’s second Remote Clinical Exam showed an overall pass rate of almost 80%.

Young woman at a computer
The RCE is designed to assess clinical competence and readiness to practice independently as a GP.

The Remote Clinical Exam (RCE) is the final exam leading to Fellowship of the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (FRACGP).
 
The RCE was introduced in 2020 to replace the Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) and is delivered remotely to all candidates via videoconference.
 
The 2020.2 RCE was delivered across multiple, non-consecutive days between 13–31 March 2021, and the exam report, detailing candidate performance and areas of improvement, is now available.

From a total of 1114 candidates who sat the 2020.2 RCE, 880 passed.
 
The pass rate – the percentage of candidates who achieved the standard expected at the point of Fellowship – was 79%.
 
The RCE consists of 16 clinical cases and uses sequential testing methodologies to optimise the number of assessments for each candidate, depending on their performance.
 
In sequential testing, all candidates are presented with a shorter initial test. For the RCE, this consists of 12 cases, after which completing each candidate’s performance is reviewed to determine a clear pass or fail.
 
Reliability of the exam was 0.76 and the majority of performance criteria were addressed by candidates, with mean scores ranging from 59–83%.
 
However, areas where candidates did not perform as well, with mean scores of below 67%, related to gathering and interpretation of information, preventive and population health, general practice systems and regulatory requirements, and professionalism.
 
A common area identified in the 2020.2 RCE where candidates could improve is demonstrating a non-biased, empathic and non-formulaic approach to patient management, taking into consideration each patient’s context. For example, patients from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds or LGBTIQ+ patients.
 
The RACGP also recommends the following advice when sitting the exam:  

  • Ensure up-to-date knowledge of ‘red flags’ and appropriate further management of an emergent situation.
  • Understanding the key principles underpinning research literature to provide the best care for patients by remaining up to date in their clinical knowledge.
  • Be aware of new guidelines and prepare for exams by understanding current recommended screening practices.
  • Be aware of the different presentations of disease and epidemiology across all patients.
  • Consider appropriate follow up and referral pathways where necessary.
The RACGP highly recommends all candidates best prepare for the clinical exam by continuing to work in practice with patients, as well as:
 
  • completing the gplearning module, ‘Introduction to the RACGP Remote Clinical Exam for candidates’ which includes sample RCE cases, technical guide and marking rubrics
  • ensuring knowledge of using Zoom and reliable technology for sitting the exam
  • accessing the FRACGP exam resources online.
This guidance may also support candidates who are preparing for the 2021.1 RCE in July 2021, and the other FRACGP exams – the Key Feature Problem (KFP) exam and Applied Knowledge Test (AKT).
 
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