The Maudsley Trainee Guide to the CASC: Preparing for the MRCPsych CASC Examination

Written by graduates of the internationally renowned Maudsley Training Programme, who have all recently sat the CASC examination, this book provides clear, practical guidance to passing the Royal College of Psychiatrists' CASC. Divided according to psychiatric subspecialties, each chapter includes practice clinical scenarios. These clinical scenarios are broken down into candidate instructions, actor instructions and constructive candidate feedback. This enables candidates to practice not only with their clinical peers, but with friends and family as well. An additional chapter is dedicated to practical information about the exam and tips for the day to further equip readers in what to expect, and reduce anxieties about the exam itself. Another chapter is specifically devoted to addressing the needs of international and BAME medical graduates. Relevant and reliable throughout, this is a must-have resource for psychiatric trainees looking to improve their clinical skills and gain their MRCPsych qualification.

Table of Contents:
Preface; Acknowledgments; I. Introduction: The CASC Dan Cleall; 2. How To Prepare For The CASC and How To Use This Book Christopher Travers; 3. International Medical Graduates and Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic Candidates Samantha Perera; II. Practice Stations: 4. General Adult Psychiatry Dominic Cottrell and Jonathan Rogers; 5. Older Adults Samantha Perera; 6. Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Lucy Brakspear; 7. Learning Disability Psychiatry Hannah Huang; 8. Forensic Psychiatry Dan Cleall; 9. Addiction Psychiatry Dan Cleall; 10. Psychotherapy Christopher Travers; 11. Eating Disorder Psychiatry Elizabeth Tyrrell Bunge; 12. Perinatal Psychiatry Elizabeth Tyrrell Bunge; Appendix; Index.

About the Author :
Dan Cleall is a specialist registrar in forensic psychiatry at South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust/South West London and St George's Mental Health NHS Trust, London, UK. He completed core psychiatry training at South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust in 2019, achieving full membership of the Royal College of Psychiatrists in 2018. Samantha Perera is a dual specialty registrar in general adult and older adult psychiatry at Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, Sussex, UK. She completed core psychiatry training at South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust in 2019, achieving full membership of the Royal College of Psychiatrists in 2018. Christopher Travers is a specialty doctor in child and adolescent mental health services (CAMHS) at Oxleas NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK. He studied Medicine at the University of Oxford and completed core psychiatry training at South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, gaining full membership of the Royal College of Psychiatrists in 2019.

Review :
'Who better to write a guide to passing the CASC examination than a group of people who have recently done exactly that? This incredibly useful book contains example stations, how these might be approached and the factual knowledge needed for success. The book is written clearly and concisely and is easy to navigate. It will not only help you to pass the CASC examination, it will make you a better psychiatrist.' Wendy Burn, CBE, Past President Royal College of Psychiatrists, UK 'This book is exceptional precisely because it gives a clear and comprehensive description of the CASC. It is written in such a way that a candidate who is preparing for the CASC will come to feel that they have an inside knowledge of what is expected, and hence will feel less anxious about the examination. The clinical scenarios are realistic and plausible. They cover the range of cases, the skills and competencies that matter most, and provide a structure for giving accurate and encouraging feedback. I was most impressed by the section dealing with the needs of International Medical Graduates. I am confident that many trainees will find it of considerable value. It is quite an achievement to have so captured what is necessary for a successful preparation for the CASC.' Femi Oyebode, University of Birmingham, UK 'This book is a fantastic achievement by the Maudsley trainees who have not only passed the CASC exam, but have also generously used their recent experience to write a coherent, easily digested book to guide candidates through the CASC exam. It is brilliantly written, giving a step-by-step guide to understanding the exam, preparing, including the importance of being kind to oneself when preparing. There are detailed and comprehensive stations to work through - that give candidates useful insights into the broad range of topics covered, the actor's instructions for the scenario, a suggested framework for the responses, communication aspects to consider and helpful additional notes. The chapter supporting international medical graduates and BAME doctors is a particularly welcome addition. This much needed new guide will be enormously valued by thousands of CASC candidates in the UK and globally.' Trudi Seneviratne, OBE, South London & Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, UK 'This book is a highly recommended, all-encompassing aid to your exam preparations. From the thoughtful forewords and explanation behind the book to the advice on how to approach your preparation and the section for BAME doctors, it really does cover everything! The stations included are on point and well thought out with detailed prompts for the actor and really useful study notes in the 'Author's notes' section. This is an essential purchase for anyone preparing for their CASC exam. If only it had been available when I was studying for it!.' Natalie Ashburner, thementalhealthdoctor