Examiner: "A 65-year-old man presents with a 2-day history of a painful, irreducible right inguinal lump. He is vomiting and has absolute constipation. Describe your initial management." Companion Prompt: "The patient has a history of atrial fibrillation on warfarin. His INR is 4.5. How does this change your plan?"
While many candidates primarily use "Companion Cases" for Section 2 (viva), reviewers and successful candidates note its effectiveness for Section 1 (written) as well. Section 1: Written SBA Papers Examiner: "A 65-year-old man presents with a 2-day
Read through your companion case PDF. For each case, write a "skeleton answer" on one side of an index card (Diagnosis -> Investigations -> Medical Mx -> Surgical Mx -> Complications -> Follow-up). His INR is 4
Dr. Asha Iyer had one month until the Intercollegiate FRCS general surgery exam. Nights at the hospital blurred into long study sessions, but her worn copy of "FRCS Companion Cases" — a PDF she'd saved on her tablet — followed her everywhere like a talisman. For each case, write a "skeleton answer" on