Tips and Hints for OSCE

Read the instruction clearly – ie if it is an examination, only do the examination

If the examiner or the patient says – “no that is fine” – it means they don’t want you to focus on it and that is not where the marks are

If the examiner or patient says anything more than once – you are missing something. Ask more questions.

Study in a group – if  not together then over skype

Susan Wearne’s book “clinical cases for general practice exams” is a very good resource and can be used with study groups.

Remember the age and gender of the patient is not the same as the person sitting in front of you. circle the gender and age on your paper to remind you.

With regard to educating about a diagnosis – ask the patient what they know about the diagnosis first.

If you don’t want to tell the patient something – you can tell the examiner

In management you get marks for the ability to identify, define and prioritise physical, psychological and social issues. Therefore, 1st list your management points before going into further detail. This way the examiner can give you marks even if you run out of time. After you summarise the list of management points, if appropriate, ask the patient which one they would like to address first, that way then can lead you to where the most marks are

remember to involve patient, family and community resources in the management plan

remember to include longer term management points.

our job is to offer expert opinion on medical issues, not to make the patients choice for them.

always arrange follow up

It is useful to have a history proforma – ie

• HPC, PMHx, Meds, Allergies, Imm, FHx, EtOH, smoking, nutrition and physical activity.

• if one of these is missing, it is missing for a reason – therefore ask for it

systems review – energy, appetite, weight change, sleep, CVS, Resp, GI, GU, Neuro

surgery tests – standard tests available – WTU, BSL, ECG, spiro, preg

physical exam – request permission to examine, show concern for patients safety, comfort and modesty

remember to say you would wash you hands before and after examination

musculoskeletal exam – look, feel, move. movement involves – active then passive then resisted then special tests

copious amounts of detailed knowledge is not expected in GP exams – so becareful about going into too much detail with certain points. Giving too much detail can be negatively marked and you will lose out on time and miss other important points and marks.

if you don’t know something it is ok to say you would look it up.