Introduction to AMC MCQ Exam Crash Course.

The AMC examination process assesses, for registration purposes, the medical knowledge and clinical skills of international medical graduates whose basic medical qualifications are not recognised by the Medical Board of Australia.

The AMC MCQ examination focuses on basic and applied medical knowledge across a wide range of topics and disciplines, involving understanding of disease process, clinical examination, diagnosis, investigation, therapy and management, as well as on the candidate’s ability to exercise discrimination, judgment and reasoning in distinguishing between the correct answer and plausible alternatives. The MCQ is a computer-administered examination.

AMC Exam Module 1: Adult health - Medicine and Adult health - Surgery

These patient groups cover a broad spectrum of adult health and aged care, and involve a sound foundation knowledge of the medical sciences (physiology, biochemistry, anatomy, pharmacology) and an understanding of pathobiology and pathophysiology. They include developed and practiced clinical skills (communication, history taking, physical examination, counselling) an appropriate understanding of principles of treatment and familiarity with current management strategies (investigations, procedural interventions, drug and non-drug therapies)

AMC Exam Module 2: Women’s health

Gynaecology covers a broad spectrum of women’s healthcare, and involves all principles of adult health as above. Obstetrics also embodies these principles with the addition of the understanding of the basic sciences as they apply to reproduction and the effects of pathobiology and pathophysiology on the reproductive process (pregnancy, labour, birth and the post-natal period).

AMC Exam Module 3: Child health

Child health includes developmental dimensions of children’s health from fetal development and transition to extra-uterine life to the end of adolescence, including growth, physical development, puberty and intellectual development in normal and abnormal situations. Clinical features and natural history of important conditions are covered including basic pathophysiology of medical and surgical conditions including recognition and management of developmental disability. Core clinical skills and management of common and important conditions in a range of settings (emergency, ambulatory, inpatient, convalescent) are included covering medical, surgical and psychosocial interventions.

AMC Exam Module 4: Mental health

The assessment, diagnosis and management of psychological, behavioural and mental disorders and illnesses and addictions across all age groups, based on bio-psychosocial and cognitive principles. This includes history, mental state features, investigations and comorbidities, with management to include the use of psychological/behavioural, physical, pharmacological and psychotherapeutic interventions, with their risks and benefits.

AMC Exam Module 5: Population health and Ethics

Population health strategies are to improve the health of targeted populations, and include screening activities, surveillance, vaccination programs, population-level education, epidemiology and legislation or disease management measures. Population health concepts may arise in a range of health care settings and across all patient groups, and will include health promotion and disease prevention strategies. Ethical issues cover professional behaviour including boundary issues, patient confidentiality, informed consent and impairment of doctors. Legal issues embrace regulations covering the Australian health care system and the delivery of best practice medicine.