Reading.

The answers to the twelve MCQ papers that come with the Stockport Package are intended to cover the syllabus.

Click here to see the topics covered. 

MCQ Paper 1 and answers can be accessed here to give you an idea of what the MCQs are like.

They are detailed enough to give you all the information you need.

They will comprise most, if not all, of the reading done by most people who come on the Stockport course.

You need to know about family planning, paediatrics, HRT, sexually transmitted disease, genetics etc.

I have tried to cover these subjects in the MCQs, but you might find selected reading from a dedicated textbook helpful.

Suitable texts are discussed below.

Get organised so that your reading makes a difference - see "Reading constructively". 

There are a number of books written specifically for the DRCOG, e.g. "DRCOG Revision Guide" by Davies & Hodges.

This was published in 2008 and is-up-to date with the new exam.

Nigel Davies is chairman of the DRCOG sub-committee.

Paul Hodges is deputy-head of the examination department.

They ought to know what they are talking about!

The book is not perfect.

The first 25 pages are taken up with the curriculum & syllabus, which you can access at the College website.

I would have preferred to see the space used for more sample questions.

There are no explanations for the answers.

Usefully, there are mock answer sheets at the end of the book.

Despite its flaws, I think it would be a good first purchase to supplement my MCQs.

You can get it from the College Bookshop for £26.

Some like to to read their favourite undergraduate textbook in obstetrics and gynaecology.

But you might be better off working through one or more of the dedicated DRCOG books.

I  like "Obstetrics by Ten Teachers" and "Gynaecology by Ten Teachers" but it is a matter of individual preference.

"Obstetrics Illustrated" and  "Gynaecology Illustrated" are popular and adequate for the basics of the syllabus.

You can delve into the specialist postgraduate textbooks such as:

    Lueslye & Baker's "Obstetrics and Gynaecology An Evidence-based Text"- popular with MRCOG students,

    Dewhurst's "Postgraduate O&G" - used to be the standard MRCOG textbook and a new edition was published in 2007,

    James' "High Risk Pregnancy " - an encyclopaedia,

    Nelson-Piercy's "Handbook of Obstetric Medicine " - an excellent, relatively brief résumé of medical disorders & pregnancy.

But you must avoid getting bogged down in the larger books. 

They are useful for topics you do not get to grips with in the simpler books.

But you ought not to read individual topics in too great a depth or you will not cover the syllabus.

Stirrat's "Notes on O&G" has the major topics reduced almost to note form. 

It is intended as an aid to revision and I think that it would be invaluable in this regard.

However, as I write, the latest version is from 2003, which means a lot of it will be out-of-date.

If you can find a newer edition, you might find it useful.

You should dip into an undergraduate textbook in Paediatrics to cover topics such as:

    examination of the new-born,

    causes of neonatal jaundice,

    common neonatal emergencies,  

    resuscitation of the new-born,

    and common congenital abnormalities.  

A  suitable book is: "Illustrated Textbook of Paediatrics".

I've gone through the key sections and I think it covers them well.

The best way to get updated is to have some tutorials from your brightest paediatric registrar.

You should receive training in neonatal resuscitation at an early stage in your job.

If not, get it sorted.

You need to know a reasonable amount of genetics.

I've tried to cover all the relevant subjects in the MCQs.

And there will be a lecture on the course.

If you need anything further, you should get it in "Medical Genetics for the MRCOG and Beyond".  

Family planning is best learned on a specific course, but will be thoroughly revised on the course.

You are spoiled for choice when it comes to suitable texts.

A very useful little textbook is  "Contraception Today" by Guillebaud.

It was published in 2007 and has everything you need.

The "Handbook of Family Planning & Reproductive Healthcare" by Glasier & Gebbie is excellent.

The fifth edition was published in 2007.

The "Handbook of Contraception and Reproductive Sexual Health" hails from the Margaret Pyke centre but 2004.

It is intended for nurses involved in family planning. 

It is very readable, full of practical advice and covers most of what you need to know. 

It would also be an excellent reference book for your surgery, particularly when there is an updated version. 

Guillebaud’s "Contraception Your Questions Answered" is detailed and an ideal reference resource. 

Hormone replacement therapy could feature in MCQs, EMQs and BOFQs. 

The practical problem is that HRT is a fast-changing topic and the books are quickly out of date. 

It will be reviewed in depth on the course to ensure you have the latest data.

Sexually transmitted diseases feature in the standard textbooks and will be dealt with on the course. 

A basic book is "ABC of Sexually Transmitted Infections".

It gives you all you need.

There are good reviews in "TOG - the Obstetrician and Gynaecologist". 

It is published by the RCOG and sent to all senior obstetricians, so your consultant will have a copy. 

These are more MRCOG than DRCOG level.  

The College also publishes its own "DRCOG Reading List". 

I don't think this has come from the exam committee or any other authority on the exam.

I think someone in the bookshop has just produced a list of all the texts on the shelves.

When I last checked (September 2011), the dates of publication went from 1994 to 2011.

A book from 1994 is more relevant to the study of the history of medicine than the DRCOG exam!

If you buy from this list I'd advise sticking to the latest books and ones mentioning EMQs.

You obviously do not need to read all of these books, nor should you try!

I have given a wide list so that you can choose the ones that suit you. 

Most of them will probably be available in your library.

If not, most of the ones I have listed are relatively cheap.

Not the mega textbooks, which are horribly expensive.

Don't buy more than one or two: remember you have to get through the MCQs.

You can order them online from the College Bookshop. 

Or write to the RCOG Bookshop at the College address - see "contacting the Royal College".

You can order them by phone: 020 777 26275. 

You can get them via the Internet e.g. from Amazon or Waterstones.