The information that follows is taken from the AMC publication, Examination Specifications Booklet. Candidates should consult the Examination Specifications and Sample Questions for more detailed information on strategies for preparing for the AMC Multiple Choice Question and Clinical Examinations.
RECALL PAPERS CAN BE FOUND IN THE DOWNLOAD SECTION OF THIS WEBSITE
The Multiple Choice Question (MCQ) examination is a comprehensive examination of medical knowledge and practice. The AMC recommends that candidates undertake a thorough review of the major topics covered in the examination.
Candidates should familiarise themselves with the MCQ format. A wide range of general texts is readily available on this form of examination and its associated techniques. The AMC publication Annotated Multiple Choice Questions also covers these aspects.
The AMC publication Annotated Multiple Choice Questions is a selection of 600 MCQ Questions from the AMC MCQ Question Bank with commentaries and explanations on each question. The AMC has used these questions in previous MCQ examinations. The questions provide a comprehensive guide to the format, scope and standard of the AMC MCQ examination. The book is distributed by Wiley-Blackwell. The order form can be found here.
The AMC Handbook of Clinical Assessment publication is a comprehensive guide to clinical medical practice in Australia. It is designed around self-test clinical tasks with accompanying commentaries and performance guidelines reflecting best practice principles. The handbook is the third in a series of publications prepared by the AMC to support IMGs. To order the Handbook of Clinical Assessment, click here.
The AMC publication Anthology of Medical Conditions has been produced not only to assist overseas trained doctors to prepare for the AMC examinations but also as an essential tool for clinical practice. The publication lists over 130 Clinical Presentations of clinical conditions and classifies them to assist in a problem-solving approach to diagnosis and management. It is essential for all doctors to be familiar with the laws of the society in which they practise medicine and the ethics that underpin medical practice. It is also important to understand the organisational aspects of medicine in the Australian context. The Anthology of Medical Conditions contains a separate section dealing with these important issues, entitled Legal, Ethical and Organisational Aspects of the Practice of Medicine (LEO). The publication is enhanced throughout with medical illustrations. The publication is recommended for use in preparing for the AMC multiple choice question (MCQ) and clinical examinations. To order the Anthology of Medical Conditions, click here.
While candidates may find it useful to review the major textbooks in the key clinical disciplines, the questions in the MCQ examination are oriented towards the more common clinical applications, differential diagnosis and therapeutics, and candidates should take care when using major reference type textbooks. The AMC has drawn up a guide to some useful texts. These textbooks, listed below, will provide background reading on key topics and contain a great deal of reference material. They are not intended as prescribed reading.
Candidates may find it more useful to review medical journals that contain useful review articles and summaries of the identification, treatment and management of the more common clinical conditions in the Australian community.
For the AMC clinical examination, the AMC recommends that candidates undertake a comprehensive review of clinical skills and differential diagnosis. Experience suggests that a review of journals that contain articles dealing with common clinical conditions in the Australian community will be more effective in preparing for the clinical examinations than spending too much time with reference books. A list of useful journals is provided below.
The AMC in association with the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners has produced a videotape of the Medical and Surgical Consulting Skills components and the assessment of Obstetrics, Gynaecology and Paediatrics in the clinical examination (publications). The videotape takes the candidate through each step of the clinical examination. It also provides a good introduction to the general format of the AMC clinical examination.
SUGGESTED TEXT BOOKSThere are many medical textbooks available and most of them are of high standard. They range from quite short texts, which cover essential knowledge, to long and comprehensive treatises which most people use as reference books. The AMC has drawn up the following list, as a guide to some useful texts. They are not intended as prescribed reading.
AMC examinations are set on the latest editions of the recommended textbooks. It is up to the AMC candidate to obtain the latest information. Material contained in previous editions of the recommended textbooks, or other unspecified textbooks, may not be correct and will not be used to determine the result of AMC examinations.
MEDICINEDevitt P, Barker J, Mitchell J and Hamilton-Craig C. Clinical Problems In General Medicine, 2nd edn. Churchill Livingstone, 2003, ISN 0443073236.
Clinical Problems in General Medicine and SurgeryEdwards C and Bouchier IA (eds). Davidson's Principles and Practice of Medicine, 19th edn. Livingstone, Edinburgh,
Hardcover: 1296 pages
Publisher: Churchill Livingstone; 19 edition (March 4, 2003)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 044307111X
ISBN-13: 978-0443071119
Davidson's Principles and Practice of MedicineBraunwald, E. Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine, 15th edn. McGraw-Hill, New York, 2001. ISBN 0070072744 (hardcover). ISBN 0079136869 (hardcover, 2 volume set). ISBN 0071374795 (CD-ROM)
Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine (Volume 2 ONLY of 2-Volume Set)Larkins R, Smallwood R. Clinical Skills: The Medical Interview, Physical Examination and Assessment of the Patient'??s Problems. Melbourne University Press, Melbourne, 1994. ISBN 0522844677 (paperback).
Clinical Skills: The Medical Interview, Physical Examination and Assessment of the Patient's Problems Lau L. Imaging Guidelines, 4th edn. The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Radiologists, Melbourne, 2001. ISBN 0959285415.
Imaging guidelines Talley NJ, O'Connor S. Clinical Examination: A Systematic Guide to Physical Diagnosis. 4th edn MacLennan & Petty, Sydney, 2001. ISBN 0864331444,
Clinical ExaminationWeatherall DJ, Ledingham JGG, Warrell DA (eds). Oxford Textbook of Medicine,
Hardcover: 1228 pages
Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA; 4 edition (March 20, 2003)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0192629220
ISBN-13: 978-0192629227.
Oxford Textbook of Medicine (Three Volume Set) SURGERYTjandra JJ, Clunie GJA, Kay AH, Smith J Textbook of Surgery, 3rd edn Wiley-Blackwell, Oxford 2005. ISBN 9781405126274.
Textbook of Surgery.
Clunie GJA, Tjandra JJ, Ross H. MCQ's and Short Answer Questions for Surgery. Wiley-Blackwell, Melbourne, 1999. Paperback. ISBN 9780867930108.
MCQs and Short Answer Questions for SurgeryForrest AP, Carter DC, MacLeod IB. Principles and Practice of Surgery - A Surgical Supplement to Davidson'??s Principles and Practice of Medicine, 3rd edn. Churchill Livingstone, Edinburgh, 1995. ISBN 0443048606
www.us.elsevierhealth.comHunt PS, Marshall VC. Clinical Problems in General Surgery. Butterworths, Sydney, 1991. ISBN 0409492132. This publication is out of print and only available second hand.
Morris PJ, Malt RA. Oxford Textbook of Surgery, 2nd edn. Oxford University Press, New York, 2001. ISBN 0192628844 (three volume set). mnemosyne.oup-usa.org/medical
Williamson R. An Aid to Clinical Surgery, 6th edn. Churchill Livingstone, Edinburgh, 1998. ISBN 044305603X.
www.us.elsevierhealth.comPAEDIATRICSHull D, Johnston D. Essential Paediatrics, 4th edn. Churchill Livingstone, Edinburgh, 1999. ISBN 0443059586.
Essential PaediatricsRobinson MJ, Roberton DM. Practical Paediatrics, Paperback: 874 pages
Publisher: Churchill Livingstone; 6 edition (November 13, 2007)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0443102805
ISBN-13: 978-0443102806
Practical Paediatrics: With STUDENT CONSULT Online AccessRoyal Children's Hospital (Melbourne, Vic.). Paediatric Handbook, 8th edn. Wiley-Blackwell, Oxford 2009. ISBN 9781405174008
Paediatric HandbookNational Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC). The Australian Immunisation Handbook. 7th edn. Australian Government Printing Service 2000. ISBN 0644475781
www.health.gov.au/pubhlth/immunise/publications.htm OBSTETRICS & GYNAECOLOGYBeischer NA, Mackay EV. Obstetrics and the Newborn - An Illustrated Text, 3rd edn. WB Saunders, Sydney 1998. ISBN 0702021237.
Obstetrics and the Newborn: An Illustrated TextbookLlewellyn-Jones D. Fundamentals of Obstetrics & Gynaecology.
Paperback: 364 pages
Publisher: Mosby; 9 edition (April 6, 2010)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 072343509X
ISBN-13: 978-0723435099.
Llewellyn-Jones Fundamentals of Obstetrics and GynaecologyMackay EV, Beischer NA, Pepperell R, Wood C. Illustrated Textbook of Gynaecology, 2nd edition, WB Saunders, Sydney 1992. ISBN 0729512118.
Illustrated Textbook of Gynaecology PSYCHIATRYShorter Oxford Textbook of Psychiatry succeeds the Oxford Textbook of Psychiatry, third edition (1996). It continues in the tradition of providing clear, comprehensive and practical coverage of clinical psychiatry specifically tailored to the needs of trainees, as well as providing a useful reference work for psychiatrists in practice and general practitioners. This new edition has been extensively revised and updated with the help of a team of expert advisors. The revision pays particular attention to the considerable advances in knowledge derived from the field of neuroscience, as well as emphasizing an evidence-based approach to practice and attention to ethical issues. In addition, there are new chapters on somatoform and dissociative disorders, neuropsychiatry and sleep disorders and eating disorders. The text and layout have been redesigned with greater use of illustrations, tables, lists and summary boxes, and the comprehensive reference section has been brought right up to date.
Shorter Oxford Textbook of PsychiatryHardcover: 1072 pages
Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA; 4 edition (November 15, 2001)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0192632426
ISBN-13: 978-0192632425
American Psychiatric Association. DSM-IV-TR: Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th edn text revision. American Psychiatric Association, Washington DC, 2000. ISBN 0890420254 (paperback); ISBN 0890420246 (hardback).
Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders DSM-IV-TR Fourth Edition (Text Revision)Paperback: 943 pages
Publisher: American Psychiatric Publishing, Inc.; 4th edition (June 2000)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 9780890420256
ISBN-13: 978-0890420256
ASIN: 0890420254
GENERAL PRACTICE Murtagh J. General Practice, 4nd edn. Hardcover. McGraw Hill Australia 2007. ISBN 9780074717790
www.bookstore.mcgraw-hill.comMurtagh J. Practice tips, 5th edn. Soft cover. McGraw Hill Australia 2008. ISBN 9780070158986
www.bookstore.mcgraw-hill.com SUGGESTED TEXT BOOKSThere are many medical textbooks available and most of them are of high standard. They range from quite short texts, which cover essential knowledge, to long and comprehensive treatises which most people use as reference books. The AMC has drawn up the following list, as a guide to some useful texts. They are not intended as prescribed reading.
AMC examinations are set on the latest editions of the recommended textbooks. It is up to the AMC candidate to obtain the latest information. Material contained in previous editions of the recommended textbooks, or other unspecified textbooks, may not be correct and will not be used to determine the result of AMC examinations.
MEDICINEDevitt P, Barker J, Mitchell J and Hamilton-Craig C. Clinical Problems In General Medicine, 2nd edn. Churchill Livingstone, 2003, ISN 0443073236.
www.elsevier.com.auEdwards C and Bouchier IA (eds). Davidson's Principles and Practice of Medicine, 18th edn. Livingstone, Edinburgh, 1999, ISBN 0443059446.
www.harcourt.com.au/healthprof/Braunwald, E. Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine, 15th edn. McGraw-Hill, New York, 2001. ISBN 0070072744 (hardcover). ISBN 0079136869 (hardcover, 2 volume set). ISBN 0071374795 (CD-ROM)
http://www.bookstore.mcgraw-hill.com/Larkins R, Smallwood R. Clinical Skills: The Medical Interview, Physical Examination and Assessment of the Patient's Problems. Melbourne University Press, Melbourne, 1994. ISBN 0522844677 (paperback).
www.mup.unimelb.edu.au Lau L. Imaging Guidelines, 4th edn. The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Radiologists, Melbourne, 2001. ISBN 0959285415.
www.ranzcr.edu.auTalley NJ, O'Connor S. Clinical Examination: A Systematic Guide to Physical Diagnosis. 4th edn MacLennan & Petty, Sydney, 2001. ISBN 0864331444,
www.maclennanpetty.com.auWeatherall DJ, Ledingham JGG, Warrell DA (eds). Oxford Textbook of Medicine, 3rd edn. Oxford University Press, New York, 1996. ISBN 0192621408 (set of 3).
http://mnemosyne.oup-usa.org/medical SURGERYClunie GJA, Tjandra JJ, Thomas R.S.J. Textbook of Surgery, 2nd edn Blackwell Science Asia, Melbourne, 2001. ISBN 0867930233.
www.blacksci.co.uk/australi/books.htmClunie GJA, Tjandra JJ, Ross H. MCQ's and Short Answer Questions for Surgery. Blackwell Science Asia, Melbourne, 1999. Paperback. ISBN 0867930101.
www.blacksci.co.uk/australi/books.htmForrest AP, Carter DC, MacLeod IB. Principles and Practice of Surgery - A Surgical Supplement to Davidson'??s Principles and Practice of Medicine, 3rd edn. Churchill Livingstone, Edinburgh, 1995. ISBN 0443048606
www.us.elsevierhealth.comHunt PS, Marshall VC. Clinical Problems in General Surgery. Butterworths, Sydney, 1991. ISBN 0409492132. This publication is out of print and only available second hand.
Morris PJ, Malt RA. Oxford Textbook of Surgery, 2nd edn. Oxford University Press, New York, 2001. ISBN 0192628844 (three volume set).
http://mnemosyne.oup-usa.org/medicalWilliamson R. An Aid to Clinical Surgery, 6th edn. Churchill Livingstone, Edinburgh, 1998. ISBN 044305603X.
www.us.elsevierhealth.com PAEDIATRICSHull D, Johnston D. Essential Paediatrics, 4th edn. Churchill Livingstone, Edinburgh, 1999. ISBN 0443059586.
www.us.elsevierhealth.comRobinson MJ, Roberton DM. Practical Paediatrics, 5th edn. Churchill Livingstone, Melbourne, 2002. ISBN 044307139X.
www.us.elsevierhealth.comRoyal Children's Hospital (Melbourne, Vic.). Paediatric Handbook, 6th edn. Blackwell Science Asia, Melbourne, 2000. ISBN 086793011X
www.blacksci.co.uk/australi/books.htmNational Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC). The Australian Immunisation Handbook. 7th edn. Australian Government Printing Service 2000. ISBN 0644475781
www.health.gov.au/pubhlth/immunise/publications.htm
OBSTETRICS & GYNAECOLOGYBeischer NA, Mackay EV. Obstetrics and the Newborn - An Illustrated Text, 3rd edn. WB Saunders, Sydney 1998. ISBN 0702021237.
www.us.elsevierhealth.comLlewellyn-Jones D. Fundamentals of Obstetrics & Gynaecology. Mosby, London 1999, 7th edn ISBN 0723431507.
www.mosby.com Mackay EV, Beischer NA, Pepperell R, Wood C. Illustrated Textbook of Gynaecology, 2nd edition, WB Saunders, Sydney 1992. ISBN 0729512118.
www.us.elsevierhealth.com PSYCHIATRYGelder M, Gath D, Mayou R. The Oxford Textbook of Psychiatry, 3rd edn, Oxford University Press, 1996. ISBN 0192625004 (paperback). mnemosyne.oup-usa.org/medical
American Psychiatric Association. DSM-IV-TR: Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th edn text revision. American Psychiatric Association, Washington DC, 2000. ISBN 0890420254 (paperback); ISBN 0890420246 (hardback).
www.psych.org GENERAL PRACTICEMurtagh J. General Practice, 4nd edn. Hardcover. McGraw Hill Australia 1998. ISBN 0074704362 Softcover edn 1999, ISBN 0074707191.
www.bookstore.mcgraw-hill.com MISCELLANEOUS
Therapeutic Guidelines from Therapeutic Guidelines Limited, North Melbourne, Vic.
http://www.tg.org.au Therapeutic Guidelines: Analgesic, version 5, 2007
Therapeutic Guidelines: Antibiotic, version 13, 2006
Therapeutic Guidelines: Cardiovascular, version 5, 2008
Therapeutic Guidelines: Dermatology, version 2, 2004
Therapeutic Guidelines: Endocrinology, version 3, 2004
Therapeutic Guidelines: Gastrointestinal, version 4, 2006
Therapeutic Guidelines: Neurology, version 3, 2007
Therapeutic Guidelines: Oral and Dental, version 1, 2007
Therapeutic Guidelines: Palliative Care, version 2, 2005
Therapeutic Guidelines: Psychotropic, version 6, 2008
Therapeutic Guidelines: Respiratory, version 3, 2005
Therapeutic Guidelines: Rheumatology, version 1, 2006
Management Guidelines: Developmental Disability, version 2, 2005
Note: Available in print individually or as a complete set in the form of an electronic subscription ('eTG complete').
Manual of Use and Interpretation of Pathology Tests, 4.0 edn. The Royal College of Pathologists of Australasia, 2004. ISSN 1449-8219. This edition available on CD-ROM or online only.
http://www.rcpa.edu.au MIMS Australia. St Leonards, NSW. MediMedia Australia Pty Limited. Subscriptions: ISSN 10355723 (MIMS Australia Bi-monthly), ISSN 0725-4709 (MIMS Australia Annual), ABNRID 000012656851 (eMIMS - CD-ROM or MIMS on PDA (Personal digital assistant)).
www.mims.com.au Australian Medicine Handbook, 4th edn. 2003 ISBN 0957852126. Online version available via Health Communication Network.
www.hcn.com.au/products/kro_druginfo.html --------- I Feel Crook Doc" Language, Cultural Issues and Etiquette in the Australian Consulting Room. S Reid. ISBN 0975682962 Second Edition 2006
JOURNALS In addition to the major texts, journals should be read selectively, using editorials, annotations and review articles. The following journals are suggested as source material:
Australian Family Physician (
www.racgp.org.au/publications)
Australian Prescriber (
www.australianprescriber.com)
British Medical Journal (
www.bmj.com)
British Journal of Hospital Medicine (
www.hospitalmedicine.co.uk)
Current Therapeutics (
www.ctonline.com.au), Lancet (
www.thelancet.com)
Medical Journal of Australia (
www.mja.com.au)
New England Journal of Medicine (
www.content.nejm.org)
