Nocturnale

The agonizing wait is over. I passed the MRCP(UK) PACES exam and finally crossed the finish line!

I did it with a combination of hard work and resolute determination. I am very glad the effort paid off in the end. But I would be remiss if I didn’t mention the following individuals/groups who gave me a helping hand along the way and nudged me towards success:

1. Excel PACES Course 2008 and especially tutors Drs Nair, Saifudeen, Patrick and Rajan, all-round talented clinicians and teachers. Thank you!
2. Singapore PACES Course 2009 and organizer Ms Eunice Chung of the National University Hospital, Singapore. The course is über-popular (over-subscribed many times over). I was lucky to be the only Malaysian participant! The sparring between candidates and examiners was hardcore-realistic and most reflective of the real exam. The scolding and grilling (I got it aplenty), on hindsight was definitely worth it. Singaporean candidates belong to a different class, it’s inspiring to be able to compete against examinees of such high quality. I relished my experience in Singapore and would readily recommend this course to my juniors anytime.
3. Hospital Kuala Lumpur (the biggest hospital in Malaysia) and Dr Paras for being kind enough in allowing us to practice on his ‘home turf’ for most weekends. The cases were relentless and inexhaustible as well as being representative of the range of scenarios seen in exams.
4. PasTest Ltd (United Kingdom) and marketing manager Hannah Brown. I can’t thank PasTest enough. The PACES CASES videos were groundbreaking and they have helped many candidates passed the PACES. I am overjoyed to say I am one of them. Hannah, I owe you one!
5. International Medical University library for its vast cache of MRCP(UK) revision resources. I am indebted to Ms Zuhanariah, the librarian at the Seremban campus for loaning the entire series of Medical Masterclass volumes to me even for a couple of hours. Thank you!
6. Drs CL and G who were very supportive and brought me around for short cases in Hospital Serdang. To this, I am infinitely grateful.
7. Dr K who is the most kind-hearted Boss and Head of Department ever. You are ze best. I owe you a sumptuous meal.
8. To my family and soulmate, CY for their unwavering support. CY, I am happy that you passed too.
9. Dr Winnie Chan, a cardiologist from Hong Kong (and author of little known ‘Aids in PACES’ tutorial series) who gave me many valuable pointers via emails. Her advice was potent and relevant. I am very grateful for her acquaintance.
10. Dr LPH, who let me tag along in his busy neurology clinic with open arms. And he knew the eminent Professor John Morris as a colleague (wow!).

It’s time to celebrate!