Observatory · what we cover, and why

Acumen Curriculum Map

What we teach, what we only map, and why, across every stage from medical school to advanced practice. One row per subject theme; one column per programme. Every cell is drawn from the dated syllabus record behind this page, not typed by hand.

Aligned to the GMC MLA content map (September 2026 update) and the RCGP GP Curriculum 2025. Refreshed when either map changes and at the quarterly review.

The ladder

Five stages, nine programmes

The same syllabus record feeds all of them, so a topic taught at one rung is the same topic at the next, pitched higher.

Student

ECTS blended intensive modules: EU-CKM and WHEEL

Licensing

MLA AKT (PLAB 1) and PLAB 2 OSCE

Training

MRCGP AKT and MRCGP SCA; AKT modules shared with Practice

Practice

Acumen Focus: the AKT modules as certified CPD for GPs, pharmacists, ACPs and ANPs

Advanced

Certificates of Advanced Study for extended-role and extended-scope practice: CVRM-HF; Menopause and Andropause

The coverage policy

What we teach, what we map, and why

Whole-syllabus programmes

Where MD Acumen writes the syllabus — the two ECTS modules and the two Certificates of Advanced Study — every unit is taught, assessed and listed here with the guideline it rests on. Nothing is sampled.

Consultation examinations

For PLAB 2 and the MRCGP SCA the examiners publish a skills blueprint, not a list of conditions. We teach that blueprint in full: every marking domain, every feedback statement, every clinical experience group, under the exact timing of the examination. The conditions in our published cases are a sample of the regulator's map; the balance of that sample is shown here and updated as cases are added.

Knowledge examinations

For the MLA AKT (PLAB 1) and the MRCGP AKT we do not cover the whole map, and we say so. We teach the families where our faculty hold rare clinical and academic assets, where material already exists with a named clinician responsible for keeping it current, and where a learner we owe a duty to needs it. Everything else in the map is held in this registry so you can see exactly what is not taught here.

Narrow by design

MD Acumen is a clinician-verified school with a cardio-renal-metabolic and menopause core. It is not an all-purpose curriculum or question bank, and it does not intend to become one.

One syllabus, two doors

The MRCGP AKT modules and Acumen Focus CPD are the same modules. A GP registrar uses them to prepare for the examination; a GP, pharmacist, ANP or ACP at any stage of their career uses them as appraisal CPD. Their coverage is identical by design, so the map shows them as one column.

Advanced practice

The two Certificates of Advanced Study equip the primary-care clinician with the advanced-level professional knowledge and governance required to practise as a GP with an extended role, or as an allied health professional with extended-scope practice, in cardio-renal-metabolic medicine and heart failure, and in menopause and andropause.

Every programme carries a certificate: ECTS credit from the host university for the blended intensive modules; an NVU (UK) CPD certificate for each Focus module; certificates of attendance for the PLAB 2 and SCA classes; and the Certificate of Advanced Studies awarded by New Vision University (10 ECTS, 20 UK credits) for the advanced programmes.

The map

Thirty-four subject themes against every programme

Hover or focus a cell for the count behind it. The size column reads: MLA conditions · MLA presentations · RCGP topic-guide items for that theme. The MRCGP AKT and Acumen Focus CPD columns are one column: the same modules, identical by design.

Subject theme	Map size	Student		Licensing		Training	Training · Practice	Advanced
Subject theme	Map size	ECTS EU-CKM	ECTS WHEEL	MLA AKT (PLAB 1)	PLAB 2 OSCE	MRCGP SCA	MRCGP AKT · Acumen Focus CPD	CAS CVRM-HF	CAS Menopause and Andropause
Core: cardio-renal-metabolic
Cardiovascular health	30 · 12 · 63	Taught in full	Taught in full	Live focus module	Sampled by published cases	Sampled by published cases	Live focus module	Taught in full	Taught in full
Renal and urology	21 · 7 · 87	Taught in full	Mapped, not taught	Live focus module	Sampled by published cases	Sampled by published cases	Live focus module	Taught in full	Some topics taught
Endocrine, diabetes and metabolic	28 · 4 · 103	Taught in full	Mapped, not taught	Live focus module	Sampled by published cases	Sampled by published cases	Live focus module	Taught in full	Some topics taught
Core: women's and men's health
Gynaecology, breast and menopause	18 · 10 · 104	Mapped, not taught	Taught in full	Live focus module	Sampled by published cases	Sampled by published cases	Live focus module	Mapped, not taught	Taught in full
Sexual health and men's health	6 · 5 · 80	Mapped, not taught	Mapped, not taught	Some topics taught	Sampled by published cases	Sampled by published cases	Some topics taught	Mapped, not taught	Taught in full
Focused breadth
Gastroenterology and hepatology	42 · 16 · 90	Mapped, not taught	Some topics taught	Some topics taught	Sampled by published cases	Sampled by published cases	Some topics taught	Mapped, not taught	Mapped, not taught
Respiratory health	19 · 6 · 72	Mapped, not taught	Mapped, not taught	Planned focus module	Sampled by published cases	Sampled by published cases	Planned focus module	Some topics taught	Mapped, not taught
Neurology, headache and migraine	33 · 13 · 69	Some topics taught	Taught in full	Live focus module	Sampled by published cases	Sampled by published cases	Live focus module	Some topics taught	Mapped, not taught
Musculoskeletal health and osteoporosis	28 · 7 · 52	Mapped, not taught	Taught in full	Planned focus module	Sampled by published cases	Sampled by published cases	Planned focus module	Mapped, not taught	Taught in full
Cancer: screening and suspected-cancer referral	5 · 12 · 0	Mapped, not taught	Taught in full	Planned focus module	Sampled by published cases	Sampled by published cases	Planned focus module	Mapped, not taught	Some topics taught
Neurodevelopment, neurodiversity and learning disability	2 · 2 · 95	Mapped, not taught	Taught in full	Planned focus module	Not yet sampled	Sampled by published cases	Planned focus module	Mapped, not taught	Mapped, not taught
Long-term conditions and multimorbidity	1 · 1 · 58	Some topics taught	Some topics taught	Mapped, not taught	Sampled by published cases	Sampled by published cases	Some topics taught	Taught in full	Some topics taught
Evidence, statistics, research and lifelong learning	0 · 0 · 92	Some topics taught	Some topics taught	Live focus module	Not yet sampled	Not yet sampled	Live focus module	Taught in full	Some topics taught
The rest of the map
Mental health	20 · 15 · 86	Mapped, not taught	Some topics taught	Mapped, not taught	Sampled by published cases	Sampled by published cases	Mapped, not taught	Mapped, not taught	Some topics taught
Maternity and reproductive health	19 · 13 · 68	Some topics taught	Mapped, not taught	Mapped, not taught	Sampled by published cases	Sampled by published cases	Mapped, not taught	Some topics taught	Taught in full
Child health	19 · 13 · 110	Mapped, not taught	Mapped, not taught	Mapped, not taught	Sampled by published cases	Sampled by published cases	Mapped, not taught	Mapped, not taught	Mapped, not taught
Older adults and frailty	4 · 7 · 48	Mapped, not taught	Mapped, not taught	Mapped, not taught	Sampled by published cases	Sampled by published cases	Mapped, not taught	Mapped, not taught	Mapped, not taught
End of life and palliative care	0 · 2 · 59	Mapped, not taught	Mapped, not taught	Mapped, not taught	Sampled by published cases	Sampled by published cases	Mapped, not taught	Mapped, not taught	Mapped, not taught
Dermatology	24 · 7 · 66	Mapped, not taught	Mapped, not taught	Some topics taught	Not yet sampled	Not yet sampled	Some topics taught	Mapped, not taught	Mapped, not taught
Ear, nose, throat, speech and hearing	19 · 12 · 84	Mapped, not taught	Mapped, not taught	Some topics taught	Sampled by published cases	Not yet sampled	Some topics taught	Mapped, not taught	Mapped, not taught
Eyes and vision	18 · 10 · 89	Mapped, not taught	Mapped, not taught	Mapped, not taught	Sampled by published cases	Not yet sampled	Mapped, not taught	Mapped, not taught	Mapped, not taught
Haematology	18 · 5 · 69	Mapped, not taught	Mapped, not taught	Some topics taught	Sampled by published cases	Sampled by published cases	Some topics taught	Mapped, not taught	Mapped, not taught
Infectious diseases and travel health	29 · 2 · 114	Mapped, not taught	Mapped, not taught	Mapped, not taught	Sampled by published cases	Sampled by published cases	Mapped, not taught	Mapped, not taught	Mapped, not taught
Allergy and clinical immunology	1 · 2 · 61	Mapped, not taught	Mapped, not taught	Mapped, not taught	Sampled by published cases	Sampled by published cases	Mapped, not taught	Mapped, not taught	Mapped, not taught
Acute, urgent and unscheduled care	7 · 19 · 84	Mapped, not taught	Mapped, not taught	Mapped, not taught	Sampled by published cases	Sampled by published cases	Mapped, not taught	Mapped, not taught	Mapped, not taught
Genomic medicine	7 · 3 · 61	Mapped, not taught	Mapped, not taught	Mapped, not taught	Not yet sampled	Not yet sampled	Mapped, not taught	Mapped, not taught	Mapped, not taught
Smoking, alcohol and substance misuse	3 · 2 · 111	Mapped, not taught	Mapped, not taught	Mapped, not taught	Sampled by published cases	Sampled by published cases	Mapped, not taught	Mapped, not taught	Mapped, not taught
Surgery, perioperative care and clinical imaging	1 · 3 · 0	Mapped, not taught	Mapped, not taught	Mapped, not taught	Not yet sampled	Not yet sampled	Mapped, not taught	Mapped, not taught	Mapped, not taught
Professional and consulting
Consulting, communication and shared decision-making	0 · 0 · 26	Some topics taught	Some topics taught	Mapped, not taught	Taught in full	Taught in full	Mapped, not taught	Some topics taught	Taught in full
Ethics, law, equality, diversity, inclusion and safeguarding	1 · 5 · 26	Some topics taught	Some topics taught	Mapped, not taught	Taught in full	Taught in full	Mapped, not taught	Some topics taught	Some topics taught
Quality, safety, prescribing and therapeutics	5 · 2 · 74	Some topics taught	Some topics taught	Mapped, not taught	Taught in full	Taught in full	Some topics taught	Some topics taught	Some topics taught
Leadership, management, organisation and systems	0 · 2 · 62	Some topics taught	Some topics taught	Mapped, not taught	Taught in full	Taught in full	Some topics taught	Taught in full	Taught in full
Population, planetary health and health inequalities	1 · 1 · 77	Some topics taught	Taught in full	Some topics taught	Taught in full	Taught in full	Some topics taught	Taught in full	Taught in full
Observatory strand
European health policy, data and AI governance	0 · 0 · 0	Taught in full	Taught in full	Not in this framework	Not in this framework	Not in this framework	Not in this framework	Not in this framework	Not in this framework

Taught in full Live focus module Planned focus module Some topics taught Sampled by published cases Not yet sampled Mapped, not taught Not in this framework

Programme by programme

What each programme covers, and the certificate it carries

Student

ECTS EU-CKM

Whole module syllabus taught: MD Acumen authors and delivers every unit; 4–6 ECTS; four virtual weeks then a campus week; assessed 60:40

ECTS credit awarded by the host university; MD Acumen certificate of completion and transcript

Student

ECTS WHEEL

Whole module syllabus taught: MD Acumen authors and delivers every unit; 4–6 ECTS; four virtual weeks then a campus week; assessed 60:40

ECTS credit awarded by the host university; MD Acumen certificate of completion and transcript

Licensing

MLA AKT (PLAB 1)

Partial by design: the MLA-mapped units in the focus families only; the rest of the map is held in the registry and shown as not taught

NVU (UK) CPD certificate for each completed module

Licensing

PLAB 2 OSCE

Skills blueprint taught in full (three GMC domains, ten feedback statements, every consultation type, exact 8-minute timing); MLA presentations and conditions sampled by the 20 published cases, balance shown live

Individualised certificate of attendance for each live class (MD Acumen · NVU · EWU organiser line)

Training · Practice

MRCGP AKT · Acumen Focus CPD

Partial by design, and identical to Acumen Focus CPD: the focus families (cardio-renal-metabolic, menopause and andropause, headache and migraine, cancer screening and referral, autism and ADHD recognition, COPD, osteoporosis, statistics and evidence). The rest of the 32 topic guides is held in the registry and shown as not taught. GP registrars use the modules for the AKT; GPs, pharmacists, ANPs and ACPs at any career stage use the same modules as appraisal CPD

NVU (UK) CPD certificate for each completed module

Training

MRCGP SCA

Skills blueprint taught in full (three RCGP domains, CP/P/F/CF grading with CM&C weighting, 26 feedback statements, all 12 Clinical Experience Groups, exact 12-minute + 3-minute timing); conditions sampled by the 22 stations, balance shown live

Certificate of attendance with a domain-mapped feedback record for each station (funded courses; free to GP registrars)

Advanced

CAS CVRM-HF

Whole CAS syllabus taught: nine modules derived from NICE, ESC/EAS, ESC/ERA, AHA/ACC, KDIGO, ADA/EASD and EASL guidance, published in the registry with guideline anchors; Living re-dating. The award equips for extended-role and extended-scope practice: see the Advanced practice rule above.

Certificate of Advanced Studies awarded by New Vision University, Tbilisi, Georgia; 10 ECTS (20 UK credits)

Advanced

CAS Menopause and Andropause

Whole CAS syllabus taught: eight modules derived from NICE NG23, BMS, IMS, RCOG, NOGG, Endocrine Society and BSSM guidance, published in the registry with guideline anchors; Living re-dating. The award equips for extended-role and extended-scope practice: see the Advanced practice rule above.

Certificate of Advanced Studies awarded by New Vision University, Tbilisi, Georgia; 10 ECTS (20 UK credits)

Sources and versions

The maps this page aligns to

The edition in force for each. A new edition becomes a new dated version in the syllabus record; nothing is overwritten.

Body	Document	Edition in force
GMC	MLA content map (English) — September 2026 update	Published Oct 2025; last updated Sep 2026; applies to MLA exams from Sep 2026
GMC	MLA content map (PDF narrative) — September 2026 update	as above
RCGP	The RCGP Curriculum: Being a General Practitioner	For implementation from 1 August 2025
RCGP	The RCGP Curriculum: Topic Guides (32)	For implementation from 1 August 2025
RCGP	MRCGP Applied Knowledge Test (AKT) Blueprint	Undated PDF (cites AKT standard-setting FAQs 2025)
RCGP	AKT example questions (with answers), September 2026	September 2026
RCGP	SCA web pages: Introducing the SCA; Marking and results; Feedback statements; Preparing (Blueprint)	Pub. 8 Aug 2023; Marking page amended June 2025; fetched 10 Oct 2026
GMC	PLAB 2 guide (How will you be tested; Understanding your results)	not fetched (HTTP 403 to automated access, 10 Oct 2026)

429

MLA conditions

220

MLA presentations

2,340

RCGP items in 32 topic guides

PLAB 2 cases

SCA stations

Focus units live

CAS syllabus units

Aligned with the published GMC MLA content map and the RCGP GP Curriculum 2025; not affiliated with or endorsed by the GMC or the RCGP. Certificates of Advanced Study are awarded by New Vision University, Tbilisi, Georgia. The PLAB 2 format on this page is taken from the GMC's published guide as summarised on our PLAB 2 course pages; the MRCGP SCA format from the RCGP's published marking, blueprint and feedback pages (amended June 2025).

Last editorial review: 13 October 2026 · Next scheduled refresh: 13 April 2027.

Back to the Observatory

Acumen Curriculum Map

Five stages, nine programmes

What we teach, what we map, and why

Whole-syllabus programmes

Consultation examinations

Knowledge examinations

Narrow by design

One syllabus, two doors

Advanced practice

Thirty-four subject themes against every programme

What each programme covers, and the certificate it carries

ECTS EU-CKM

ECTS WHEEL

MLA AKT (PLAB 1)

PLAB 2 OSCE

MRCGP AKT · Acumen Focus CPD

MRCGP SCA

CAS CVRM-HF

CAS Menopause and Andropause

The maps this page aligns to

Every stage

How we teach

Institutions

Legal