MRCS ENT OSCE Exam Curriculum

A Comprehensive Guide to the Intercollegiate MRCS (ENT) OSCE

Understanding which topics to prepare for the MRCS (ENT) OSCE Examination can be very difficult, often leading to either excessive or insufficient focus on certain topics.

We recommend following the official curriculum provided by the Royal College of Surgeons as your primary source of guidance. We've included a link to it below and also provided a concise summary for your convenience.

🚀 Summarised Version

Otology:

• Detailed knowledge of ear anatomy and physiology.
• Understanding of auditory pathways and cranial nerves.
• Knowledge of disease relationships with the temporal bone.
• Familiarity with embryology and genetics in relation to congenital ear problems.
• Understanding of balance maintenance.
• Knowledge of acute and chronic ear conditions, including deafness, facial paralysis, tinnitus, trauma, and infections.
• Awareness of complications related to ear diseases.
• Proficiency in audiological assessment and interpretation.
• Basics of auditory rehabilitation, hearing aids, and implantable devices.
• Ability to interpret radiological investigations.
• Knowledge of microbiology and pharmacology relevant to ear diseases.
• Competency in clinical ear examination and patient communication.

Paediatric Otolaryngology:

• General knowledge of applied embryology and paediatric head and neck anatomy.
• Awareness of anatomical differences between adult and paediatric airways.
• Understanding of various paediatric conditions, including neck masses, airway disorders, congenital deformities, deafness, facial palsy, infections, and more.
• Knowledge of non-accidental injury presentations and age-appropriate hearing tests.
• Proficiency in taking thorough histories from children and parents.

Disease of the Head and Neck:

• Detailed knowledge of head and neck anatomy and physiology.
• Understanding of the aetiology, pathology, and presentation of common conditions, including congenital abnormalities, oral pathology, voice disorders, and malignancies.
• Knowledge of postoperative complications and their management.
• Ability to take appropriate histories, conduct examinations, and explain conditions or treatments to patients.

Rhinology:

• In-depth knowledge of nose and sinus anatomy, embryology, and physiology.
• Understanding of various rhinological conditions, including infections, nasal polyps, facial pain, and rhinological oncology.
• Awareness of olfaction disorders, epiphora, and surgical procedures.
• Knowledge of skin grafts, flaps, and drug pharmacology.
• Competency in clinical nasal examinations and patient communication.

Emergency Otolaryngology:

• Understanding of common emergency conditions like epistaxis, otitis, auricular trauma, and airway obstructions.
• Knowledge of principles and management of acute airway obstruction and critical patient resuscitation.
• Familiarity with the Glasgow Coma Score.

General:

• Proficiency in history-taking and clinical examinations.
• Ability to discuss and explain conditions and treatments to patients and relatives.
• Effective communication skills and empathy.
• Understanding of consent.
• Knowledge of cross-infection prevention, epidemiology, statistics, evidence-based medicine, and audit.
• Recognition of the importance of clear written and verbal communication.
• Familiarity with surgical topics like blood usage, antibiotics, diathermy, pain relief, thrombo-embolic prevention, wound care, sutures, and imaging techniques.

These bullet points summarise the key knowledge areas and skills that candidates are expected to possess for the MRCS (ENT) examination.