About

This intensive one-day MRCS A and MRCS OSCE preparation course is designed to provide a structured and supportive revision of core applied anatomy, with particular emphasis on surface anatomy as tested in the MRCS examinations. The course is specifically aimed at candidates with limited surgical exposure, those early in core surgical training, and candidates who have previously been unsuccessful in the examination and would benefit from a more fundamental and clearly explained approach.

The programme focuses on translating complex anatomical concepts into clear, clinically relevant understanding. Emphasis is placed on visualisation, three-dimensional thinking, and systematic reasoning, rather than rote memorisation. Key anatomical regions are explored through step-by-step explanations, linking surface landmarks to deeper structures and common clinical and surgical scenarios encountered in OSCE stations.

Surface anatomy teaching forms a central component of the course and is delivered in a structured manner that reflects how candidates are examined in the MRCS. This includes identification of landmarks, interpretation of relationships, and explanation of relevance to examination findings, procedures, and operative access. Teaching is interactive and paced appropriately, allowing candidates to consolidate understanding and clarify foundational gaps in knowledge.

By the end of the day, candidates should feel more confident in approaching anatomy-based stations, articulating anatomical reasoning clearly, and applying surface anatomy principles in a clinical and surgical context.

Aims

• To strengthen foundational understanding of applied anatomy relevant to the MRCS.
• To develop confidence in identifying and explaining surface anatomy landmarks and their clinical relevance.
• To support candidates with limited surgical exposure through structured and accessible teaching.
• To clarify complex anatomical concepts using logical, step-wise explanations.
• To improve candidate performance in anatomy-focused OSCE stations through targeted revision.

Learning Outcomes

• identify key surface anatomical landmarks commonly tested in the MRCS.
• explain the relationship between surface anatomy and underlying structures in a clear and structured manner.
• apply anatomical knowledge to common clinical examination and procedural scenarios.
• demonstrate improved confidence in discussing anatomy during OSCE-style questioning.
• recognise and correct common errors made in anatomy-based MRCS stations.