FRCPath Microbiology part 1 resources

Books (Must read)

Microbiology Nuts & Bolts: Key Concepts of Microbiology & Infection -
- This is a very good book, but it was published in 2013. Many trainees still use it. Use it cautiously and always check for up-to-date information.

Infection control and statistics

Manual of Infection Prevention and Control
- Dr Damani's book is a traditional favourite
Oxford Handbook of Medical Statistics (Oxford Medical Handbooks)
- You need to know some statistics for part 1 and a lot more for part 2. get a medical statistics book of your choice. Some examinees have used this book.

Optional - some trainees have used additional books. I consider them optional

How popular are these books amongst those who sat part 1?

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At this point, I would like to mention about Microregistrar.moodlecloud.com. It has reading materials made keeping the examination in mind. You will also have Practice questions and high-yield notes. See the content list here.

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1XzlEPyzUM3ljxjzMrxpXLH-Pu_xTlWGC8AtrlRzp5Zw/edit?gid=831519701#gid=831519701

Find more details here

microregistrar.moodlecloud.com

Where to find questions?

1. Books

The two books mentioned above are popular choices for questions as well.

2. BIA LearnInfection:

However, you must use BIA LearnInfection - this is an invaluable asset and practice all the questions in there. You can find it here, and you will need a BIA membership to access it here:

https://learn.britishinfection.org/

3. Royal College past papers:

Find the past papers from RCPath here -

4. MRCP and USMLE questions

There are many books and online resources for these two exams, and you can consider solving these papers. However, remember that these exams are aimed at different populations, and the standards are different. This is especially true for USMLE, as the problems are often different and the guidelines they follow are not necessarily UK guidelines.

5. NEQAS interpretative comment

This is an external quality control method for microbiologists. This is membership-based. Members get 1 case and approximately 2 - 4 questions every month. It may cost approx £100/year. If you already have a membership for another reason, it is great; however, it might be an expensive way of solving questions.

Interpretive Comments - UK NEQAS Microbiology

6. Microregistrar.moodlecloud.com

There are >400 MCQs here -

Home | microregistrar

Is there any courses available?

This is an exam which lacks courses to help. Our survey says -

So what are the options

New course:

We are launching a course in 2025 (6th -7th December) in Hyderabad, India. We will be discussing all about FRCPath examination. See the programme here. The course is available to candidates in India and overseas (online). See the programme here

https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7346686930673147904/

and registration link here

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1emgM0Gy23DuQxf_qD1vyxhhJ44JgAGib2r1Ff0p2B1Q/edit

For any questions, email

frcpathpreparatorycourse@gmail.com

1. RCPath International Trainee Support Scheme [Update: not available anymore. Check the RCPath website if the programme has reopened.

The International Trainee Support Scheme is an online-based scheme that is aimed at supporting overseas doctors (also known as ‘International Medical Graduates’) who are planning to sit the College’s fellowship examinations. I have heard good feedback about this course, but it is not always available. It costs around £400- £500. You have to contact RCPath directly if it is still available - International Trainee Support Scheme

2. Courses run by independent NHS Consultants or clinical scientists

There are some courses run by NHS consultants or clinical scientists virtually. I have not attended these courses; hence, I cannot give you any recommendations either way. You can enquire about these courses on WhatsApp groups. The cost of these courses may vary, but as far as I know, it is approximately £200 - £600

3. Course by Dr Ranganathan Iyer in India

This is a course offered by Dr Iyer in India but is open to overseas candidates as well. You have to contact Dr Iyer or Medhealthcarefoundation for this course.

4. Other courses not directly related to the exam

Some courses may help in general, but are not necessarily aimed towards FRCPath Microbiology - Foundation Certificate in Infection Prevention and Control - Healthcare Infection Society. These courses are excellent, but this may only cover part of your curriculum (like infection control); hence, they may or may not serve your purpose.

5. Microregistrar.moodlecloud.com

This is not a conventional short course. This will provide you with reading material written keeping UK practice in mind and practice questions keeping the FRCPath exam in mind. You will also have high-yield notes and a WhatsApp group to discuss your questions. You will be supported by me and a group of people who

What other resources should I use?

This is what a large number of past candidates suggested.

1. UK SMI

These are the UK national standard operating procedures; as you can see from the survey, they are very important.
Link - UK Standards for Microbiology Investigations

2. NICE guidelines

Published guidance, NICE advice and quality standards | Guidance | NICE

3. Greenbook (vaccine)

Immunisation against infectious disease - GOV.UK

4. EUCAST

For antibiotic sensitivity, follow EUCAST (not CLSI). Important documents (must read) are -

5. Other UK guidelines

A large number of British organisations are involved in preparing guidelines. I have listed some. If there is no UK guideline on a subject, follow European (ESCMID) or IDSA/CDC/SHEA guidelines. Some of these are not specific for infection, such as RCOG. You may have to collect those relevant for you yourself.

6. UKHSA documents

UKHSA is a massive resource for microbiologists/infection specialists. It is also the most up-to-date resource. It is, however, so vast that it is not always easy to find what you are looking for. I suggest you start from the A to Z link I shared, but always when reading a subject - google "your subject name" + "UKHSA".

Managing specific infectious diseases: A to Z - GOV.UK

7. UK antibiotic guidelines

If you are from overseas, you can benefit from having UK antibiotic guidelines. I suggest looking at the NHS Trust guidelines using Microguide or EOLAS

8. BNF and Greenbook

BNF lists all the antibiotics being used in the UK. Reading antibiotics that are not in there is not needed unless they are new/novel antibiotics. BNF also has a comprehensive summary of antibiotics. Greenbook is the one-stop resource for vaccines used in the UK.