How to answer Problem Solving Questions

Please answer the question strictly adhering to guidelines

below.
If is not done, you will be reminded till all the criteria are
fulfilled.

After writing the answer, tick all the numbered 7

items that are in RED and make sure they are
done and mail it me.
If you do not follow all the instructions, I will not
assess the answer.
When you receive the problem solving questions:
First read the question a few time very carefully.
1. Copy the question in the answer.
2. Underline the important points.
Almost all the students who enrol for the FRCS course have the knowledge to pass
the exam.
Unfortunately, all the candidates, I mean ALL, who fail do not know the technique
of passing the exam.
When you master the technique, you will not only pass but you will excel.
We shall help you to excel!!
I studied the Pre University Course (PUC) in St Joseph's college in Trichy in Tamil
Nadu in India. Only those who excel in the PUC examination can enter the
government medical school.Most colleges will be proud if they can produce 20% fist
classes and a pass rate of 80% in PUC. St Joseph produced more than 90% first
classes!!
They had a formula for excellence.

English language was compulsory. Most students came from vernacular schools.
When we wrote English compositions, we must write the plan of the composition on
top of the answer paper.
If the plan is not written, one receives only zero mark.
The plan will consist of
The question.
The important points in the question
Introduction
Content
The important points in the question
1
2
3
Conclusion
Till I passed my fellowship exam, I followed this procedure.
This not only helped me to get into medical college, but also to excel in the
Fellowship exam.

Plan your answer.

As if you are in the exam, first read the question a few time very carefully.
Underline the important points.
Read them again, understand the question and start writing the answer.
Remember this: THE EXMINER WANTS TO KOW HOW YOU WILL MANAGE
YOUR PATIENTS.
So, write the answer in the FIRST PERSON.

3.Answer them under the following headings.

1 Introduction
2 History
3 Examinations
4 Differential Diagnosis
6 Investigations
7 Final Diagnosis
8 Management
9 Conclusion or Discussion

Before answering the questions, please ALSO read the guide line attachments that I
send you at the beginning of the course.
Please follow them meticulously and rewrite the answers.
The purpose of the course is not only to train to excel in the problem solving
questions, but also to excel in the Viva and Clinical examinations.
Imagine the patient is in front of you and write, in essay form, exactly how YOU
would manage YOUR patient.
Please write the answers in first person as though you are answering the examiner
in the clinical examination, eg I shall ask the patient.. , I will do a CAT scan
because ..

In your introduction, you must write what come to your mind soon as you have read
the question. If possible you must be able to impress the examiner with one sentence.
You can write something like this, "From the history and clinical symptoms and
signs of Mr. ., my first impression is that."
In the conclusion, you can write, "I an quite positive I will see a happy patient in 2
weeks because "

If you can remember and follow all the guideline in the exam, it will definitely
increase your chance of passing.
Practice now, Excel later.

4.Please do all your assignments in Microsoft Word.

5.Do a "spell check".
6.Then attach the file to your mail. When you save your file, write the
diagnosis and your full name. This will help me to save your file.
7.Then copy the content of the file at the bottom of your mail.
This will help me to search for the contents of your file.
If you do not meticulously follow the above instructions, I will send your answers
back for rewriting.
The purpose of the course is to help you to master the technique of answering the
theory question, viva and the clinical exams.

Practice the Rule of 5 again and again and learn to shoot your answers. This must
reflect in yur answer.
If you can do that in the viva and clinical examination you will flabbergast the
examiners.
Practice, practice, practice.
Follow all the guidelines and instructions and please rewrite your answer.

With best wishes

Prof Muthu

Dear Mahgy,
The plan I have suggested is for you to follow to write perfect answer.
In the introduction, you write your first impression on reading the
question. This is to make a good first impression on the examiner.
In conclusion, you write how the patient will be with your
management.
With best wishes
Prof Muthu

Atheeshwar to me
show details 3:17 PM (15 minutes ago) Reply
6th Marc 2009

Dear sir
I've passed FRCS-G yesterday from Hyderabad. Thanks to ur emails and
morale support. My theory answers were written based on ur format.
Only 13 candidates cleared out of 52 who had appeared.

Dr. Atheeshwar Das. DO DNB FRCS

Sent from iPhone 3G

kunjal sejpal to me
show details 7th March 2009 1:45 PM

hello sir,
i am very pleased to inform u that i have successfully passed the frcs
in hyderabad!
it was a great exam, i answered well, got good cases...wrote problem
solving questions weell too...thanks to u !
13 out of 54 passed...that too less..but its always like that i guess.

Praveen Kumar to me
show details 10th March 11:07 AM (4 hours ago) Reply

Respected sir,
I have PASSED the FRCSG at Hyderabad. Sorry for not having informed you
earlier. I had come for a social service program directly from Hyderabad to a rural
part of North india. I dont have any Internet facility here. Only today i found an
internet facility. I just thought i should inform you and thank you. I will be coming
back to Chennai after a few weeks. I shall definitely get in touch with you once iam
back.
I should thank you for your guidance and being patient with me as i think i was the
most irregular student in your course.
Thanking you once again sir,
Regards,
B. Praveen Kumar
HEMALATHA RAJAGOPAL to me

show details May 30 (9 days ago) Reply

dear dr muthu,
A thousand apologies for not getting back to you sooner.my computer had broken down
aand i couldnt get internet access fo these few months.i have passed the exam conducted
in hyderabad march2009.
i express my deepest gratitude and thanks for the timely and selfless help that u gav
me.the question were approached in the manner that u had told me -to avoid differential
diagnosis like answers and to approach a problem as u do a patient .i did.it worked.again i
read only kanski by index and oxford book repeatedly ,i was able to answer better.i am
sure you will be very happy for me and forgive me for not contacting you sooner.
i will keep in touch with you sir .once again my apologies and my heartfelt thanks.
hema,chennai.