By: Dr. Zubair Khalid

I am sharing my experience on CMT Interview so that it helps others who have been striving to get into medical training in the UK.

First off, it wasn’t an easy road since I have been working in Accident & Emergency for last couple of years and had no formal understanding of medical pathways, patient management in wards and disposal after discharge. Needless to say, that doctors who have worked as trust grade SHO’s/FY1 or 2 in medicine have a definite edge.

Accident & Emergency can be quite demanding and hectic due to NHS pressures, not to mention that other specialties get equally affected but A&E is the first in the line of fire.
I didn’t get the chance to order the most anticipated book everyone talks about in the UK, link to book
I rather used an online portal which was extremely helpful. Subscription is for 75 pounds which can be a bit expensive but totally worth it. It has enough guidance to give you a good insight in all 3 stations that is:

Portfolio
Clinical
Ethical

http://www.coremedicineinterview.com
Examples of all the scenarios are a must read and it is advisable to follow similarly structured answers in the interview as well.

Each of the station during the interview runs for 10 minutes.
Formal dressing on the day.
Reach at least 45 minutes before the given time to get acclimatised and finish the registration process.
Don’t try to talk or indulge with other candidates prior to interview as this is strictly prohibited.

Portfolio Station

I was asked about the recent audit I’ve done with the conclusion and action plan. I loved talking about the audit since the results were quite astounding and I could tell that the interviewers were keen on listening about the details.

I was then asked about my commitment to specialty where I told them about passing MRCP 1, planning for next part, my mini CEX’s, CBD’s and DOP’s were critically centred upon medical cases and emergencies.

I was asked about my teaching experience and plan to continue teaching as a medical professional.
I was asked why I wanted to join medicine as a specialty as well future plans for ST if I were offered CMT.

Clinical Scenario

A young female with left calf swelling and admitted to ward with right sided chest pain.
I was asked about initiating management.
Differential Diagnosis.
How to adjust the dose of LMWH.
Treatment options Warfarin vs NOAC.

Next part of the scenario was communication with the patient where I was asked to speak to the patient and tell her what has happened and what are we going to do about it. (10 minutes at this point so I couldn’t actually answer this bit but was given marks based on overall performance)

Ethical Scenario

Old lady recently diagnosed with Colon Ca which is operable but she doesn’t want to disclose the information to her husband. Husband is in the ward and has been furious. Speak to the husband.
Kept patient confidentiality
Showed empathy towards the patient and found out that the husband is recently diagnosed with AS and was advised surgery so the wife is horrified and doesn’t wish to worry her husband.
Proper escalation done and scenario went well.

Other part of station was,
Cardiology ward round with registrar who is writing notes with normal clinical examination without actually examining the patients.
Scenario went well.

Hope it helps and good luck to all those who are planning to apply next!