The Unofficial Guide to Passing OSCEs

1

OSCE hints and tips

2

History Taking - 23 stations

Introduction to History Taking

General History: tired all the time

General History: weight loss

Cardiovascular History: Chest Pain

Cardiovascular Hisotry: Palpitations

Respiratory History: Productive Cough

Respiratory History: Shortness of breath

Gastrointestinal History: Abdominal Pain

Gastrointestinal History: Dysphagia

Gastrointestinal History: Nausea and Vomiting

Gastrointestinal History: Diarrhoea

Renal History: Oliguria

Neurological History: Headache

Neurological History: Collapse

Neurological History: Weakness

Endocrine History: Hypothyroidism

Vascular History: Intermittent Claudication

Vascular History: Swollen calf

Orthopaedic History: Back Pain

Genetic history: Inherited disease

Rheumatology History: Joint Pain

Breast History: Breast lump

Urology: Incontinence

Urology: Haematuria

3

Clinical Examination - 23 stations

Introduction to Clinical Examination

Cardiovascular Examination

Respiratory Examination

Abdominal Examination

Hernia Examination

Testicular Examination

Stoma Examination

Rectal Examination

Cranial Nerve Examination

Upper Limb Neurological Examination

Lower Limb Neurological Examination

Cerebellar Examination

Parkinsons Examination

Peripheral Arterial Examination

Varicose Veins Examination

Ulcer Examination

Neck Lumps Examination

Thyroid Examination

Cushings Syndrome Examination

Acromegaly Examination

Breast Examination

Dermatology Examination

Haematology Examination

Ear Examination

4

Orthopaedic Examinations - 9 stations

Introduction to Orthopaedic Examination

Cervical spine

Thoraco-lumbar spine

Shoulder

Elbow

Hand and wrist

Hip

Knee

Foot and ankle

Gait, Arms, Legs and Spine (GALS) Screening

5

Communication Skills - 17 stations

Introduction to Communication Skills

Cardiovascular: Explaination of hypertension

Cardiovascular: Lifestyle Advice Post Myocardial

Cardiovascular: Explaining statins

Respiratory: Inhaler Technique

Respiratory: Smoking cessation counselling

Gastro: Consent for Ascitic Drain

Gastro: Consent for Hernia Repair

Neuro: Dealing with an Agitated Patient

Haematology: Blood Transfusion

Haematology: Commencing Warfarin Therapy

Haematology: Sickle cell disease diagnosis

Paediatrics: Explaination of immunisations

Sexual Health: Consent for HIV Testing

General: Post-mortem discussion

General: Opiate Counselling

General: Breaking Bad News

General: Ethics station

6

Data Interpretation - 17 stations

Introduction to Data Interpretation

FBC interpretation

U&E interpretation

LFT interpretation

Coagulation screen interpretation

TFTs interpretation

Bone profile interpretation

Arterial blood gas interpretation

ECG interpretation

CSF interpretation

Pleural fluid interpretation

Ascitic fluid interpretation

Synovial fluid interpretation

Peak flow and spirometry

Chest x-ray

Abdominal x-ray

Orthopaedic x-ray

CT head

7

Practical Skills - 8 stations

Introduction to Practical Skills

Intermediate Life Support

Phlebotomy

Intravenous Cannulation/Setting Up a Giving Set

Arterial Blood Gas

Male Urethral Catheterisation

Urinalysis

Instruments

Suturing

8

Obstetrics and Gynaecology - 17 stations

Introduction to Obstetrics and Gynaecology

Headache

Reduced fetal movements

Anxious pregnant woman

Antepartum haemorrhage

Obstetric examination

Caesarean section

GBS

Placenta praevia

Breech presentation

Vaginal discharge

Postmenopausal bleeding

Pain in early pregnancy

Vaginal Examination (speculum and bimanual)

Miscarriage Discussion

Combined Oral Contraceptive Pill

Emergency Contraception

Cervical Smear Counselling

9

Psychiatry - 10 stations

Introduction to Psychiatry

Alcohol History

Depression History

Mania History

Post-Natal Depression History

Suicide Risk Assessment

Schizophrenia History

Mental State Examination

Cognitive Assessment

Assessing capacity

Commencing lithium/clozapine therapy

10

Paediatrics - 15 stations

Introduction to Paediatrics

Paediatric History Taking

Newborn Baby Examination

Developmental delay

A Crying Baby

Febrile Convulsions

Wheeze

Diabetes Mellitus (Type 1)

Neonatal jaundice

Failure to thrive

Non Accidental Injury

MMR Vaccination

Cystic Fibrosis

Down Syndrome

Peak Flow/Spacer

Inhaler technique

11

Ophthalmology - 8 stations

Introduction to Ophthalmology

Eye Examination

Fundoscopy

The painful red eye

Sudden loss of vision

Watery eye

Flashing lights and floaters

Periocular pain and headache

Blurred vision

12

Prescribing - 12 stations

Introduction to Prescribing

Acute Left Ventricular Failure

Acute Myocardial Infarction

Acute Exacerbation of COPD

Acute Exacerbation of Asthma

Hyperkalemia

Bowel Obstruction

Abdominal Sepsis

Acute Upper GI Bleed

Diabetic Ketoacidosis

Discharge Prescribing

Analgesia

Prescribing for Children

13

Hospital Documentation - 4 stations

Introduction to Hospital Documentation

Transfer Letter

Referral Letter

Discharge Letter

Death certification