Pre PACES Podcast

In this episode Sam sat down with Dr John Platt , an NHS Geriatrician and Stroke physician with over 30 years of NHS experience under his belt. John gave us great insight into how we can best structure and approach our conversations with relatives of patient's regarding DNAR decisions, withdrawal of feeding and end of life care.    Quiz the Consultant returned as John tackled the mildly...

Welcome back listeners to another solo sit down with Dr Sam Williams to discuss a communication station topic: consent and capacity! It's sort of like sense and sensibility without the posh accents or the dresses. Timestamps: 2:34 Consent 9:28 Patients lacking capacity 14:15 DOLS 17:22 Clinical cases   Special mentions in this episode go to Mumma Williams who made her podcast acting debut as...

This week Sam was joined by Dr Drew Davies, Respiratory registrar in the Peninsula Deanery to discuss the important topic of COPD as it might be presented in PACES. They discussed the important features to look for on examination, as well as the factors you need to include in your presentation, investigations and management! Drew also faces THE MACHINE on a seemingly random quiz topic - find out t...

Sam sits down with his very own revision buddy, Dr Becci Crook to discuss how you can succeed in the MRCP PACES by being the greatest ever revision buddy! Becci gives us a list of 10 superb tips to make sure you give yourself and your friends / colleagues the best chance of passing!  ^_^ SUPPORT THE SHOW ^_^ > > Access Quesmed HERE! 15% off with discount code: PREPACES15 <...

Sam was joined by consultant endocrinologist Dr Alison Evans to discuss acromegaly, a potential PACES curveball in a station 5 scenario. We talk through the typical presenting symptoms, important elements of a focussed examination, before covering the investigations, management and common examiner questions!  Timestamps: 1:40 Introduction 7:59 History 21:00 Examination 28:36 Presentation 30:4...

The second part of our mammoth deep dive into renal transplants featuring renal physicians Dr Jim Moriarty and Dr Revathi Jain . This episode confronts the investigations, management as well as tackling the common examiner questions in this critically important PACES station.  Go to www.kidneyfailurerisk.com  for more information on the use of the Kidney Failure Risk Equation. Timestamps...

In this first part of our first ever double-header episode, Sam was joined by renal physicians, Dr Jim Moriarty and Dr Revathi Jain to discuss this absolute BEHEMOTH of a PACES topic. We covered the systematic examination and comprehensive presentation of a patient with a renal transplant, setting you up perfectly to smash this station if it comes up in your exam!  Timestamps: 1:42 Intro...

This week Sam was joined by Dr Tom Batty, Rheumatology SpR, to discuss back pain with a focus on Ankylosing Spondylitis! Tom is also the first guinea pig on Reg Against The Machine - but what does the machine do? You'll have to listen to find out!  Timestamps: 1:30 Introduction 4:53 History 21:30 Ankylosing Spondylitis 38:42 Examination 44:40 Investigations 49:50 Management 58:06 Reg Against...

Sam sits down for another solo episode to discuss the lessons he learned from failing PACEs. This episode is full of advice and will hopefully help those of you who aren't successful at your first attempt! Ultimately, it's not the end of the world and life will go on, whether or not you pass at the first attempt! Thanks for listening!  ^_^ SUPPORT THE SHOW ^_^ > > Access Quesmed HE...

This episode Sam was joined by #MedTwitter royalty in the form of Dr Ben Beska . Ben's MRCP PACES journey has been publicly followed on Twitter for all to see (and satirise). Discussion focussed on multiple exam delays, maintaining focus during the exam preparation and Ben's top tips for the most high yield activities during his revision. You can find more medical meme content from Ben on twitter!...

This episode Sam was joined by Acute Medical SpR with a specialist interest in Stroke Medicine, Dr Jen Collinson where they discussed typical elements of a history, a focussed examination as well as the investigations and management of these patients!  Timestamps: 1:42 Introduction 5:43 History 20:10 Examination 26:02 Differential Diagnosis 33:39 Investigations & Management ^_^ SUPPORT TH...

Consultant Cardiologist Dr Angus Nightingale joins Sam to discuss the broad and varied topic of Hypertension. Quiz the Consultant returns as Angus answers questions on the Italian detective novels featuring Inspector Montalbano! Timestamps: 1:52 Introduction 5:07 History 20:48 Examination 26:29 Examiner Questions 55:13 Quiz the Consultant   Music: Chase & Superepic by Alexander Nakarada |...

Our first ever return guest on the podcast! We welcomed back Dr Jennie Gough who gives her very best advice on sitting PACES after she had multiple cancellations to the exam. We talked about organisation and logistics, as well as managing exam nerves and gut feelings after the exam!  ^_^ SUPPORT THE SHOW ^_^ > > Access Quesmed HERE! 15% off with discount code: PREPACES15 < < * * *...

This week Sam was joined by Dr Luke Bennetto, Consultant Neuro-opthalmologist, to discuss the topic of Optic Neuropathy. Quiz the Consultant returns where Luke answers questions on the England Rugby Union team!   Timestamps: 1:52 Introduction 7:02 History 21:26 Differential Diagnosis 39:17 Examination 47:53 Examiner Questions 1:00:13 Quiz the Consultant   Music: Chase & Superepic by...

Following on from our episode on collapses, Sam was joined by Neurology registrar Dr Hamish Morrison to discuss seizures. They discussed the key differentiating factors which was distinguish a seizure from a collapse from another cause as well as talking about some all important lifestyle advice for patients who suffer from seizures including advice relating to lifestyle, driving and pregnancy.&nb...

Sam was joined by Dr Ashley Nisbet, Consultant cardiologist and electrophysiologist at the Bristol Heart Institute to discuss the approach to the assessment, investigations and management of a patient who has collapsed. Regular feature Quiz the Consultant returns as Ashley answered questions on 1980's music! As always, wishing you the best of luck with your exam preparation and we hope the podcast...

This episode Sam was joined by President of the British Heart Valve Society, Dr Benoy Shah, to discuss prosthetic valves which commonly come up in Station 3, the cardiology station of PACES. They talk through the important findings to look for on examination, how to present your case and cover the answers to some of the most commonly asked examiner questions.    Quiz the Consultant retur...

For the first time Sam goes solo for this episode where he unearths some important lessons he learned from sitting PACES. These lessons may be helpful for your revision or maybe at least to try and help you gain perspective on PACES in the context of your medical career.    1:40 Changing your approach  4:05 Detect the signs 5:38 Maximise patient exposure 9:42 Make yourself known 11:...

Sam was joined by Dr Jodie Sabin, consultant endocrinologist, to discuss how thyroid disease may be presented in PACES and the best ways to structure your approach to this tricky station including how to master the history, examination and answer those difficult examiner questions! Quiz the Consultant also makes a return as Jodie answers questions on the Great British Bake Off!  Don't fo...

In this episode, Sam welcomes Dr Tessa Nicholas, a post-CMT doctor with an interest in palliative care and oncology. They discuss the recurring themes in station 4, focussing on Breaking Bad News and the SPIKES model*   02:00 Structure, format, recurring themes of Station 4 17:30 Approaching Station 4 20:45 SPIKES model 37:50 Summary   *Baile WF, Buckman R, Lenzi R et al (2000) SPIKES -...

In this episode, Sam was joined by Dr Stephen Dorman, Consultant Cardiologist in TAVI (transcatheter aortic valve implantation) to discuss Aortic Stenosis - a cardiovascular classic. Steve is given a baptism of fire on new regular feature  Quiz the Consultant  where he answers questions on his own specialist topic of Windsurf foils! Please like, subscribe and most importantly, enjoy the...

This week Sam was joined by Dr Alex Batty, an IMT2 who has recently passed MRCP PACES. Sam and Alex give you their Top 10 Tips to boost your revision and Alex gives us the inside track on the changes to the structure and format and some COVID-related curveballs that got thrown his way during his exam.    ^_^ SUPPORT THE SHOW ^_^ > > Access Quesmed HERE! 15% off with discount code:...

Welcome to the first episode of the Pre PACES Podcast with Dr Sam Williams. Sam was joined this week by Dr Jennie Gough, an IMT2 doctor who was just getting start with PACES revision when the COVID-19 pandemic hit. Jennie and Sam cover the structure and format of PACES and answer some FAQs. Like, Comment, Subscribe so you don't miss an episode! ^_^ SUPPORT THE SHOW ^_^ > > Access Quesmed HER...