The Portal Post

The latest information for clinical learners and professionals from the team at the British Pharmacological Society Assessment.

Are you preparing to take the PSA next year? Try our free PSA Prep!
If you’re a medical student or foundation doctor preparing for the Prescribing Safety Assessment (PSA), you’re likely aware of its significance in ensuring patient safety and your readiness to prescribe medications. The PSA is a crucial assessment designed to evaluate your ability to make safe and effective prescribing decisions. To
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The Best Free PSA Resources To Help You Pass Your Mock Exam
The Prescribing Safety Assessment (PSA) assesses a medical student’s ability to prescribe medications safely and effectively. As part of your PSA preparation you should utilise high-quality resources to maximise your chances of success. In this blog, we will explore some of the best free PSA resources available, including the official
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Top tips for resitting the PSA
If you find yourself in the situation where you didn’t pass the Prescribing Safety Assessment (PSA) on your first attempt, don’t worry! Many candidates face the same challenge, and there are several steps you can take to increase your chances of success during your resit. In this blog, we’ll explore
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Using the BNF in your PSA exam
The Prescribing Safety Assessment (PSA) is an essential exam that measures the ability to prescribe medications safely and effectively. As an open book exam, students and foundation doctors who sit
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Navigating menopause: A new assessment to help improve prescribing
Menopause marks a significant transition in a woman’s life, signalling the end of her reproductive years and bringing about a range of hormonal and physiological changes. Despite it being a
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Supporting clinicians at all stages of their careers with Continued Professional Development (CPD)
BPS Assessment has launched a new assessment accredited by the Royal College of Physicians (RCP), UK. The assessment is available for members enrolled on the RCP Assessment and Continued Professional
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The Prescribing Safety Assessment (PSA): Your Questions Answered
The PSA is an integral part of the medical education programme in the UK, a mandatory exam that all foundation doctors have to pass in order to progress. So as
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What To Do If You Fail The PSA First Time Around
So you didn’t pass the Prescribing Safety Assessment exam on your first sitting. What do you do now?  Firstly, don’t panic! You’re not alone, PSA resits are really common, and
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How To Prepare for the PSA
Here are our 5 top tips to help you get prepared for your Prescribing Safety Assessment exam.   1. Understand the exam format and what’s expected of you First thing’s
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Best PSA Study Resources For 2023
Revising for the Prescribing Safety Assessment exam? We take a look at all the revision and practice materials out there, and recommend the best study resources for 2023.    1.
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Preparing for the PSA Mock Exams
Are you getting ready to take your mock exams for the Prescribing Safety Assessment in November?  Although they might not be the real thing, mock exams can be super helpful
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Why did the UK introduce the PSA Exam?
Prescribing is arguably the greatest challenge for any doctor. They must choose the right medicine, the right dose, the right route, the right frequency and the right duration. They need
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Mastering The Time Pressures Of The PSA
We know from previous Prescribing Safety Assessment candidates that the time pressures are seen as the biggest challenge of the PSA exam.  But there’s a good reason why you’re expected
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