BMJ launches AI-powered PACES revision tool

Innovative new product let's doctors prepare for their PACES exam where they want, when they want, for a fraction of the cost of alternative options

BMJ has today launched an innovative new exam preparation product driven entirely by artificial intelligence (https://www.onexamination.com/pages/paces). The new product, which supports candidates taking the PACES exam, allows candidates to interact in real time with a range of simulated patients just by speaking into their computer.

Created in partnership with Australian start-up SimConverse, the tool will give doctors a cheaper, more convenient, and less stressful option than currently available alternatives.

Up until now doctors studying for the MRCP PACES have had to pay for thousands of pounds to attend time-consuming residential courses or try to pair up with other candidates to role play patients. Now they can simply pay a subscription and practise at their leisure.

The new product allows candidates to practise their consultation and communication skills then tests their ability to distil their findings and generate a diagnosis and differentials. Detailed feedback is given on every attempt to help candidates understand their strengths and weaknesses and how to improve.

Users who have tested the product have praised its similarity to real-life, its lack of glitches, and the granularity of its feedback.

On Exam PACES is the first AI-driven revision product for the OSCE (objective structured clinical examination) element of a postgraduate medical qualification and work has already begun on a long list of similar exams in other specialties.

While SimConverse run the platform and LLM behind the simulation, BMJ have provided the expert clinical input to create the cases and the rubrics which control them. In addition, BMJ will take the lead on marketing the product to individuals around the world, more than 200 of whom have already signed up for our early bird discount.

A special shout out to Matt Morgan, Nigel Praities, Joel Maccay, Emma Glover, Ellie Burchett, and Ross Whistler who have led the charge and a long list of supporting players too numerous to mention.

The PACES product is available in various combinations of cases and attempts - from an introductory package allowing two attempts at four cases (£118) to our platinum product offering 3 attempts at 40 cases (£1224).