Oh dear, oh dear ....

The overall pass rate for CSA in Yorkshire and Humber Deanery in 2010 was 84.5% according to the RCGP MRCGP Annual Report - click here to read the report in full. In the past no one on the scheme has failed CSA - but they may have had to take it several times to eventually pass it. The Training Programme Directors advise you to take the CSA at a stage in your training when you are able to have two attempts before the end of your scheme. This means that if you are finishing in July you should take it in February so that if you are not successful first time you have a second chance in May.

This will maximise your chances of passing it first time because you will have had more than six months in ST3 in preparation for CSA. I have heard of trainees who are in ST3 and have applied to do it in September or November. I wish you the best of luck but this is an expensive and high risk strategy. Remember you are only allowed four attempts so you could theoretically use all your attempts up in ST3 and have none in reserve.

I have in ST1 and ST2 tried to play down trainees anxieties about CSA but I think I may have been too laid back. Nearly one in eight trainees won't pass it without an extension of training so you need to treat the exam with respect and take it when you can maximise your chances.

Remember your TPD's know best!

Small Group Sessions on the website

The programmes for the Thursday Whole Day Teaching sessions for hospital trainees and also the Tuesday afternoon Teaching session for trainees in their first GP training post are now up on the scheme website. To access the programmes click here for our download page and choose the one you are interested in.

I have got it!

In the practice we have a 'Wednesday file' where we put random stuff that comes in the mail and once in a while we go through it at our Wednesday meeting - hence the name! Last week we were going through it and I came across a leaflet from Sheffield about how to obtain the Diploma of the Faculty of Sexual and Reproductive Healthcare. This explained very clearly the steps you need to take. My five point check list is:

1. Register to do the DFRSH - click here for link - £60 registration fee
2. Successfully complete e-learning course e-SRH - free
3. Successfully complete 'Course of 5' seminars - typically £350
4. Complete clinical part of training - typically four sessions at £50 per session

You need to do them in the correct order and pass each component to get to the end and your DHSRH - easy peasy ...!

Or you could click here for more information from Sheffield Contraception and Sexual Health Services website.