Month: November 2023

Are you a medical student or foundation doctor gearing up for the Prescribing Safety Assessment (PSA) in 2024? Then, understanding the critical role this assessment plays in ensuring patient safety and your readiness to prescribe medications is crucial. Our free PSA preparation resource is designed to help you excel in this significant exam.

Key Topics Covered in the PSA

The PSA evaluates your prescribing knowledge and skills, focusing on safe and effective practices. It covers a comprehensive range of topics, including prescription writing, review, planning management, communication, calculations, adverse drug reactions, drug monitoring, and data interpretation.

Free PSA Prep Resource

To facilitate your PSA exam preparation, we’re offering PSA Prep, a set of eLearning sessions with the following features:

Detailed Explanations

Access in-depth explanations for each question item found in the PSA, aiding your understanding of correct answers and underlying concepts.

Expert Insights

Benefit from sessions authored by UK prescribing experts, ensuring the accuracy and reliability of information.

Accessible Anytime, Anywhere

PSA Prep is available online, providing flexibility for your study schedule.

Get Started with PSA Prep

Follow these easy steps to kickstart your PSA preparation with our free resource:

Visit Our Website

Navigate to the PSA Prep section on our website. Add all PSA Prep sessions to your basket – they’re completely free!

Register For Free

Complete checkout by entering your details. This creates an account on the BPS Assessment platform, giving you access to all resources. Verify your email and set a password.

Start Preparing

Embark on your PSA preparation journey by working through each eLearning session. Gain insights on approaching exam questions effectively. Good Luck!

The Prescribing Safety Assessment is a pivotal exam ensuring you possess the knowledge and skills needed to prescribe medications safely. Our free PSA Prep resources are designed to support you on this journey. By utilising PSA Prep, boost your confidence, enhance prescribing abilities, and increase your chances of passing the PSA with flying colours. Start your PSA preparation with us today – because patient safety is paramount, and passing the PSA is a significant step toward becoming a responsible and competent healthcare professional. Don’t wait! Sign up today to start your preparation journey!

While the challenges of prescribing antimicrobials are well known, healthcare professionals can take further steps to ensure they are able to prescribe these medicines effectively. As we approach AMR Awareness Week this November, it’s an excellent opportunity to highlight our Antimicrobial Knowledge Check. This resource is designed to improve physicians’ prescribing skills and antimicrobial stewardship.

What can you expect from the Antimicrobial Knowledge Check

Our Antimicrobial Knowledge Check is a cutting-edge tool designed specifically for healthcare professionals involved in prescribing antibiotics. This assessment aims to evaluate and enhance the knowledge base of physicians, ensuring they are equipped with the latest information and best practices in antimicrobial stewardship.

Key Features of the Antimicrobial Knowledge Check

Comprehensive Content

The assessment covers the principles of antimicrobial stewardship, particularly the importance of appropriate and proper use of antimicrobials to combat the evolution of resistance. By addressing these areas, we aim to empower healthcare professionals with an understanding of antimicrobial management. 

Each question has been reviewed by members of the British Society for Antimicrobial Chemotherapy (BSAC) to ensure quality and accuracy. 

Real-world Scenarios

The assessment incorporates real-world case studies and scenarios, allowing healthcare professionals to apply their knowledge in practical situations. This hands-on approach fosters critical thinking and decision-making skills, essential for effective antibiotic prescribing.

Our Commitment to Improving Prescribing Skills

We are committed to being a driving force in the advancement of prescribing skills which of course extends to antibiotic stewardship. By providing clinicians with tools like the Antimicrobial Knowledge Check, we aim to contribute to the global efforts in mitigating the impact of antimicrobial resistance.

As AMR Awareness Week approaches, it is an opportune moment to reflect on the crucial role that healthcare professionals play in combating antimicrobial resistance. Our Antimicrobial Knowledge Check stands to improve antibiotic stewardship, empowering physicians with the knowledge and skills needed to make informed decisions in the battle against AMR. Together, as a global healthcare community, we can pave the way for a future where antibiotics remain a cornerstone of effective medical treatment.

Get access to our Antimicrobial Knowledge Check, simply sign up for free!

As we count down to the end of 2023, you might already be thinking about the Prescribing Safety Assessment and how you can prepare. Well, we’ve got you covered with PSA Prep.

But before diving into the details of PSA Prep, it’s essential to understand the significance of the Prescribing Safety Assessment.

The PSA is an online examination that assesses your ability to prescribe medications safely and effectively. It evaluates your knowledge of various aspects of prescribing, such as drug interactions, dosages, and calculations. All UK and Irish medical schools take the PSA. Those who don’t pass the exam at medical school must do so if they wish to progress their training in the NHS. Success in the PSA is not only important for progressing from FY1 to FY2 but also for ensuring patient safety in your future clinical practice.

PSA Prep from BPS Assessment

As a trusted name in medical assessment and training, we offer a valuable resource for individuals preparing for the PSA – PSA Prep. This set of eLearning sessions is designed to provide candidates with the knowledge and skills they need to excel in the PSA. Here’s what you can expect from PSA Prep:

Comprehensive Coverage

PSA Prep comprises nine eLearning sessions – one introduction and eight question style sessions. Each session is tailored to address the specific competencies being tested, as well as the approximate time required to answer each question. This comprehensive approach means you are equipped with the necessary knowledge to ace the exam.

Self-directed Learning

PSA Prep is a self-directed course, allowing you to study at your own convenience. We know studying medicine is no easy task so we’ve made sure you can access the resources when it suits your schedule.

Free Access

Perhaps the most significant advantage of PSA Prep is that it offers free access to all its resources. This means you can prepare for the PSA without having to purchase yet more study materials.

How to Get Started with PSA Prep

Getting started with PSA Prep from BPS Assessment is easy:

1. Visit the BPS Assessment website and navigate to the PSA Prep section.
2. Add all 9 sessions to your basket (don’t worry they’re completely free)
3. Complete checkout to sign up for an account, and verify your email address.
4. Login and access the introductory session to get a clear understanding of what you might expect when sitting the PSA exam.
5. Explore the eight eLearning sessions, covering each individual question style found in the PSA.

Preparing for the Prescribing Safety Assessment is a crucial step in your journey to becoming a competent healthcare professional. With our PSA Prep course, you have access to a wealth of free resources that can significantly enhance your preparation.

PSA Prep offers everything you need to excel in this essential examination. Don’t miss out on this valuable opportunity to boost your PSA performance and ensure the safety of your future patients. Get started with PSA Prep today and take a confident step towards success in the PSA.

As a medical student or foundation doctor, you’re well aware of the critical role prescribing medications plays in your future profession and you’ll want to ensure that you have the competence to prescribe safely and effectively. That’s where the Prescribing Safety Assessment (PSA) steps in – it evaluates your ability to make informed and safe prescription decisions, a crucial skill as you progress through your training.

In 2022 an Independent Review into the PSA and its future was commissioned. This review investigated the PSA’s structure, content and overall impact.

Exploring the Dacre Review: Why It Matters to You

In 2022, the British Pharmacological Society and the Medical Schools Council initiated a comprehensive review of the PSA. The aim? To assess the exam’s effectiveness and chart its future course. This review involved key figures from across the NHS and the UK’s medical education landscape, under the leadership of Professor Dame Jane Dacre.

Key Takeaways from the Dacre Review

Let’s delve into the findings of the Dacre Review, with a focus on the medical student angle:

Support for the Prescribing Safety Assessment

Widespread support for the PSA means it’s unlikely to be going anywhere. It’s clear from the findings of the review that prescribing educators and stakeholders understand that prescribing has changed and will continue to change with the introduction of new medications. This coupled with advancements in technology, prescribing in an ageing population and changes in attitude, mean junior doctors need to overcome increasing complex challenges. This is where the exam not only presents an opportunity for candidates to assess their prescribing skills but also build their knowledge and confidence in prescribing before advancing in their careers.

Impact of the Prescribing Safety Assessment

The review highlighted a hugely positive impact on patient safety within the healthcare sector. Since the PSA was mandated in 2017, there has been a consistent reduction in the percentage of medication-related patient safety incidents year after year. This notable trend underlines the effectiveness of the PSA in equipping healthcare professionals with the necessary knowledge and skills to make safer medication decisions.

While the review does not explicitly delve into the direct impact on students sitting the PSA, many have voiced their support for it. Feedback has attested that the exam and the preparation for it, has significantly bolstered confidence among students, demonstrating the invaluable role this assessment plays in enhancing the competence and preparedness of future healthcare practitioners.

The Future of the Prescribing Safety Assessment

The recommendations from the oversight group focus on the need for sustained and equitable funding, better regulation and a more robust governance structure to enhance transparency and accountability.

These recommendations paint a promising picture of the PSA’s future as a fair, quality-focused, and sustainable assessment tool. It’s poised to become an even more effective and reliable part of the medical education curriculum, equipping medical students with the skills to tackle the challenges of modern medicine with confidence.

This independent review reinforces the Prescribing Safety Assessment’s significance in your journey as a medical student. It provides invaluable support, enhances your prescribing skills, and contributes to the safety of future patients. With these recommendations, the PSA is on track to evolve into a vital tool that better prepares you for your role as a healthcare professional in today’s ever-changing medical landscape.

Prescribing for a patient who is pregnant or breastfeeding is complex; ensuring the safety and well-being of both mothers and infants is of paramount importance.  BPS Assessment has partnered with the MHRA Safer Medicines in Pregnancy and Breastfeeding Consortium to develop an online assessment resource aimed at supporting healthcare professionals test their knowledge in key areas of safe prescribing during pregnancy and breastfeeding.

What to Expect from the Assessment

Practical Case Studies

Each of the 12 case studies is written and reviewed by experts in the field and presented in an easy-to-follow layout giving healthcare professionals the chance to engage with scenarios that reflect real-world challenges. 

Immediate Feedback

The resource provides immediate feedback on each question, facilitating continuous learning and understanding. This feedback is a valuable tool for reinforcing and building knowledge of how to approach particular clinical presentations.

Access to Further Reading

To support in-depth learning, the assessment offers links to additional reading materials and relevant guidelines supported by MHRA. This ensures that healthcare professionals have access to the most up-to-date information.

Developed by Leading Experts

The material within this assessment has been authored and reviewed by content specialists from the MHRA consortium. It encompasses key topics, including those highlighted by the MHRA in recent patient safety alerts, ensuring that healthcare professionals are well-prepared to navigate the complexities of prescribing during pregnancy and breastfeeding.

Who Should Take the Assessment?

This comprehensive assessment is aimed at anyone looking to enhance their knowledge of safe prescribing during pregnancy and breastfeeding. Whether you are a nurse, pharmacist, or physician, this resource equips you with the necessary tools to provide optimal care and make informed medication choices for your patients.

A Familiar Platform

For those familiar with the UK Prescribing Safety Assessment (PSA), you’ll find this resource to be delivered using the same technology and layout. With thousands of medical students taking the PSA annually, this established platform ensures a user-friendly and efficient learning experience.

Our Pregnancy and Breastfeeding Assessment is a game-changing resource for healthcare professionals. It equips you with the knowledge and tools to make safe and informed prescribing decisions during pregnancy and breastfeeding, ultimately contributing to the well-being of mothers and their infants. Stay ahead in your field and enhance patient safety by exploring this invaluable resource today. Safe prescribing during these critical life stages is within your grasp.