PLAB Training – Details of the Exam, Courses and Training Institutes

PLAB Training – Basic Information and More

PLAB training is very important to pass the PLAB test, which is required to be given by the IMGs (International Medical Graduates) or UK trained doctors for showing their knowledge and skills acquired. If he or she passes this test then it means that the concerned person is ready to practice medicine in UK. PLAB exam is very difficult to pass and the candidate is required to show off their knowledge and skills acquired in the second year of the Foundation Programme. 

Why Joining in PLAB Training Institute Important?

A reliable PLAB training institute prepares its candidates in preparing the treatment solutions of severe health problems and life threatening situation. If you want to pass this test by yourself then it may be a bit strenuous for you. Only having a lot of knowledge does not always make you get through the exam. It requires systematic approach in getting through the test because systematic learning is very important for experienced professionals. This is the reason why such a PLAB training institute should be chosen that takes personalised care on its students. Samson PLAB is such a PLAB training institute that takes personal care on every single trainee. 

Course Details

GMC PLAB test consists of two courses:

• PLAB 1 Course
• PLAB 2 Course

Details of these courses are given below:

PLAB 1 Course
In the first course, the skills are focused and the candidates should learn them systematically from their respective PLAB training institutes for succeeding in the test. Teaching of this course is directed towards EMQS (Extended Matching Questions). Significantly, this forms the basis of PLAB 1 course. This course is designed in such a manner that it gives an opportunity to the candidates to review the core materials quickly and efficiently. The regularly tested topics are intensively covered in this course.

PLAB 2 Course

This course is intended to train the IMGs or UK trained doctors on the following aspects:

• Whether the doctor or IMG is trained to conduct clinical histories and exams
• Whether the IMG or UK trained doctor is able to counsel patients
• Whether he or she is prepared to deal with various subtle scenarios
• Teaching physical examination techniques

How to Select a PLAB Training Institute?

While choosing a PLAB training centre, it becomes very important to choose one on the basis of two aspects:

a)      Is the institute taking proper care on each of its students?

b)      Is success rate of the concerned institute good enough?

In case, such an institute is a new one then you should not reject it out rightly because there are many such institutes that take great care of its students on a personalised basis.

Some of the very important aspects that you should check while going through different PLAB training institutes include:

                     i.            Does the institute consist of small class size?

If the class size is small then it becomes very easy for the trainers to take personalised care on the students.

                   ii.            Learned and Experienced Teachers

It is the trainers who train the candidates to become successful. Thus, the trainers should be very experienced as well as knowledgeable.

If you want to join a PLAB training institute then you should follow these guidelines before joining.

A guide to GMC PLAB

GMC Plab is an important exam that you have to pass if you want to practice as a medical practitioner in UK.  It is important to register yourself with GMC or General Medical Council if you work in the United Kingdom.

Plab is the abbreviated form of Professional and Linguistic Assessment Board Test. This test is conducted by GMC or General Medical Council. Since this test is rather difficult as compared with other competitive exams, most of the students undertake the plab training course. This course is divided into different parts like plab 1 course and plab 2 course. You can opt for these effective training sessions if you want to pass this exam with flying colours.

GMC Plab is the main test with the aid of which, IMGs or International Medical Graduates demonstrate that they have the necessary skill as well as knowledge needed to practice medicine in UK. You have to pass GMC Plab for practicing medicine in UK if you fulfil the following criterions:

• You belong to a country outside UK or have graduated from a medical college that is not in UK.
• You are a national of United Kingdom but graduated from medical college outside UK, Switzerland or European Economic Area (EEA).
• Is not a holder of approved postgraduate qualification
• Not a specialist or trained GP.

It is important to be aware of some points before you apply for GMC Plab:

• Before you start preparing for GMC Plab, make sure that the country has opportunities to bestow on you, the type of job you are on the lookout of! Remember that the job market in UK is very competitive and it is important to ensure yourself of the fact that you have the capabilities to compete in this competitive market. The test is set on a level that you are expected to achieve by the first year of practicing after graduation. This is also referred to as House Officer Year or internship. It is important to remember that jobs are not guaranteed if you pass GMC plab.
• GMC will not provide you any information on job vacancies.
• It is essential to be aware of the fact that UK, especially South East England and London is a very expensive place to stay. These areas witness strong competition for jobs in different fields. You also need to find out if the lifestyle of UK is suitable for you.

The framework for practicing medicine in UK is rather complicated. There is no single organisation that has the overall responsibility of regulation, care and employment of doctors. GMC is just a regulatory body who set the standards for practicing medicine in UK. Passing GMC Plab just means that you have reached the minimum standard that is required to practice medicine safely in UK. Make sure if you are willing to take the risks that is involved in the job market of UK.

PLAB 1 course guidance

The would be doctors of UK usually takes this PLAB 1 course for passing GMC PLAB that must be cleared in case a doctor is eager to practice in UK, being a resident of any other part of this world. Some of the countries where you can sit for the exam apart from UK are Egypt, India, Nigeria, Pakistan, South Africa, West Indies and UAE. Individuals who are eager to sit for the GMC PLAB usually opts for both PLAB 1 and PLAB 2 course as that helps them to prepare themselves properly for exam. 

PLAB training sessions will allow you to focus on the skills that are required to succeed in this exam. The classes that you are required to attend as a part of PLAB 1 course are mostly geared towards EMQS or Extended Matching Questions. This forms the base of PLAB part 1. PLAB 1 course provides an efficient and quick review of core materials with an intensive coverage of the regularly tested topics. A typical PLAB 1 course deal with the following:

• Respiratory system
• Cardiovascular system
• Nephrology and biochemistry
• Gastro Enterology
• Endocrinology
• Trauma and orthopaedics
• Infectious disease
• Epidemiology/Rheumatology/Toxicology
• Obstetrics
• Haematology
• Gynaecology
• Systemic surgery
• General surgery
• Ophthalmology/ Dermatology/ENT
• Anatomy and remaining CNS
• Central Nervous System
• Pharmacology Miscellaneous topics
• Paediatrics
• Psychiatry

PLAB 2 course provides an intensive coaching for PLAB part 2 exam. Doctors are trained to conduct examinations here. It also trains doctors to deal with subtle situations and counsel parents. Physical examination techniques also form a part of PLAB 2 course.

Let us now have a look at the salient features of institutions that offer PLAB 1 course and PLAB 2 course:

Small class size: Most of these programs allow limited class size. Although there are a few programs that do not limit enrolment, most of these institutions do. Small class sizes ensure individual attention, especially in domains where you are somewhat weak. 

Individual help: The instructors of PLAB 1 course will help you overcome all difficulty and will provide additional assistance if you are facing any problem with the course. The instructors also go over relevant clinical vignette and the case histories.

Experienced teachers: Experienced teachers will help you deal with PLAB 1 course. I am sure that the long years of experience of these professionals are sure to help you get rid of all problems that you face while sit for the GMC PLAB.

Focus on weaker areas: PLAB 1 course is broken down into a series of topics as it is important to do well in all these areas in order to excel in this exam. You will receive special attention from instructors in case you are weak in a given field. 

Language component: We know that you know all medical terms. However, most of the PLAB 1 courses will help you communicate in colloquial British, avoiding all medical terms, to help you communicate with the relatives and other well wishers of your patient.

I am sure, if you train yourself properly taking help of the instructors of PLAB 1 course, you will be able to clear the GMC PLAB and start practicing in UK.

PLAB Training – Why is Important?

PLAB training is required by those people who are required to give PLAB test. This test tries to gauge the skills as well as knowledge of the International Medical Graduates (IMGs) as well as the UK trained doctors in dealing with the conditions that are witnessed by the trainees who enter the 2^nd year of the Foundation Programme. Knowledge and skills of the medical conditions that are tested in the PLAB test include management of rare but severe health problems along with life threatening situations. Passing this test is not a matter of joke. It requires systematic training approach from learned and experienced professionals. There are not many PLAB training institutes available. The ones that are available don’t generally take personalised care of their students. This is why an IMG or trained doctor should undertake PLAB training from such an institute that takes personalised care and one of those institutes available is Samson PLAB. 

GMC PLAB Training – An Overview of the Requirements

The PLAB training centres provide scope as well as content to their students so that they can know the pattern of the test thoroughly and can accordingly pass the same with élan. These institutes prepare the content in accordance with the skills, topics and procedures of the PLAB test.

A doctor or International Medical Graduate is supposed to be familiar with the publications of GMC such as Good Medical Practice and supporting guidance. A student is expected to answer the questions in accordance with the advice given. 

One of the main things stated by Good Medical Practice is that every patient should be treated as an individual and their dignity should be respected by the doctors. The respected PLAB training institutes come up with valuable guides for giving overview of the equality legislation of United Kingdom. These valuable guides have been prepared for helping doctors with issues related to equal opportunities and diversity.

Personalised PLAB training helps you to master different aspects of the skills required by an IMG or doctor. In the test, four areas of skills are tested. In the questionnaire you may find that the recent evidences that have been published in the leading journals are taken up in the questions and you are required to answer these questions. In the PLAB test questionnaire you will also find questions on the practice and principles of evidence based medicine.     

The four skill areas from which questions may come include Diagnosis, Investigations, Management and Context of Clinical Practice. 

In broader term, PLAB training can be categorised into 2 parts and they are:

i.                     PLAB 1 Course - In this phase of the test, a single paper is present. It is being marked by computer. Most significantly, the UK government sets the standard of the paper.

ii.                   PLAB 2 Course - This part of the PLAB test consists of objective type questions. Intention of this test is to know about the clinical as well as the communication skills of the candidates. 

A renowned PLAB training institute provides all possible training to the budding doctors so that they can practice in UK.