If you are an aspiring MRCP UK Aspirant, you need to have a strong knowledge base in Internal Medicine. Do you really have enough knowledge about the subject? A strong knowledge base in Internal Medicine will help you pass the exam effortlessly.

This article aims to provide you with a strong foundation in the field of Internal Medicine so that you can become an efficient doctor. If you know all these basics, along with some strategies that you can implement on your test day, you will be able to pass your MRCP UK exam with flying colors.

What is Internal Medicine?

Internal Medicine refers to the branch of clinical science that deals with the diagnosis and treatment of conditions that affect the internal organs, in contrast to surgery, which deals with conditions that affect the superficial or exterior parts of the body, and general practice which is concerned with primary care.

Internal medicine practitioners are experts in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of adult diseases. This area of medicine is a specialty in its own right, but is also used a subspecialty by most other medical subspecialists.

Obstetrician –gynecologists (obstetricians in the United States) and family medicine specialists may also receive internal medicine training during their residency training, depending on the requirements for certification by their specialty board.

In various settings, health care providers who do not perform surgery are often grouped into a non-surgical specialty in which they share responsibility for medical decisions and management of complex cases with surgical colleagues. This process is known as "consultation".

What is a Rheumatologist?

Rheumatology is a medical subspecialty within internal medicine. Rheumatologists diagnose and treat a spectrum of musculoskeletal inflammatory conditions, including autoimmune disease, vascular disease, endocrine disease, osteoporosis and infection

How to Become a Rheumatologist and the Role of the MRCP Exam

So you want to be a rheumatologist?

Rheumatology is a branch of medicine that examines disorders of the joints, muscles, bones, and organs. Maintaining a proper balance between the body's immune system and its tissues is essential to good health. When this balance is disrupted, it can lead to bone or joint pain, muscle weakness, or inflammation caused by autoimmune disease. Rheumatologists are medical doctors who specialize in treating these disorders.

When you become a rheumatologist, you'll work closely with your patients to develop a treatment plan that addresses their specific problems. You'll also have to have the right education, training, and certifications to do the job. The first step towards this career is passing the MRCP(UK) exam.

To become a rheumatologist, you must first apply for a medical school place through the UKCAT (United Kingdom Clinical Aptitude Test). Your medical school will then set an offer of acceptance based on your academic qualifications, your personal statement and your predicted UKCAT scores.

Once you've been accepted into medical school, you'll study for the Core Medical Science Tripos Part 1 and Part 2. You'll also take courses in biochemistry, pathology, and pharmacology. These courses will help prepare you for the MRCP Part 1 exam, which qualifies doctors for specialist training in internal medicine and related fields.

Many rheumatologists want to do further training to become a Certified Rheumatologist (CR). The requirement for being a CR in the UK is passing the Membership of The Royal College of Physicians (MRCP) examination.

The role of the MRCP Exam in Internal Medicine Practice

The MRCP examination is a computer-based test (CBT) and is available twice a year. This test assesses candidates in their knowledge, understanding, application and problem-solving skills in relation to internal medicine. The specialty is divided into four sections namely; History taking and examination skills, A detailed knowledge of internal medicine, A detailed knowledge of common diseases, and A detailed knowledge of common procedures and investigations. Candidates are tested on their knowledge to be able to recognize diseases using epidemiology and also test their ability to understand data and statistics while making sense of them accordingly. The exam consists of 180 multiple choice questions which needs to be completed in 6 hours.

 MRCP UK Exam – an Overview

The role of the MRCP exam in Internal Medicine is to provide the necessary skills and knowledge to enable a successful career as a physician in internal medicine.

A Strong Knowledge Base in Internal Medicine will Help You Pass the MRCP Exam Effortlessly

Internal Medicine is one of the basic subjects that every medical professional needs to know thoroughly. Every medical professional will come across cases where a patient suffering with some disease has to be checked or evaluated in relation to his/her internal health status.

Therefore, having a good amount of knowledge about Internal Medicine is very important for any medical professional's success in his career.

Internal Medicine Study Guide for MRCP Exam:

In order to cope up with this aspect, it is crucial for any aspiring MRCP UK candidate to have a strong knowledge base in Internal Medicine.

Most students fail because they do not focus on the right subject and do not concentrate on the right things. It is common to see students who know less than 35% of the subject. And it is not just because they lack dedication and focus or they are not committed enough; it is also because they are doing things in the wrong order.

5 Reasons Why a MRCP Degree Will Increase Opportunities

The following study guide is useful for those who want to ace their MRCP UK Exams effortlessly:

The success of this exam depends on your ability to process information and answer questions in few minutes. You need to solve at least 150 questions in 150 minutes to pass this exam with flying colors.

• Focus on the basic concepts of Internal Medicine and build a complete knowledge base of it. This means you have to take notes from textbooks and audible lectures about all aspects of Internal Medicine. The primary aim here understands, not memorize.
•  Focus on study concepts rather than cramming facts. This process would take time, but it is essential to my learning curve.
• Read more than 15-20 hours a week, and take enough notes for revision.
• Then, develop a strong foundation in Internal Medicine by taking some sample tests online. This will give me an idea about the format of the exam and will help me in deciding how my revision should move forward.

Conclusion:

The MRCP exam is an examination organized by the UK Royal College of Physicians. The main purpose of this examination is to evaluate a candidate's clinical skills and professional knowledge.

Understanding that Internal Medicine is a tough specialty. The first thing to keep in mind is that the knowledge base required in Internal Medicine is much more extensive than that of other fields such as Pediatrics or Surgery. This is because internal medicine deals with the most complicated organ systems and every disease is vastly different. It is prevalent for medical students to have a hard time passing their internal medicine exams.

 However, a strong knowledge base of Internal Medicine is will help you pass the MRCP exam effortlessly.