The unique and award-winning Unofficial Guides series is a collaboration between senior students, junior doctors and specialty experts. This combination of contributors understands what is essential to excel on your course, in exams and in practice - as well as the importance of presenting information in a clear, fun and engaging way. Packed with hints and tips from those in the know, when you are in a hurry and need a study companion you can trust, reach for an Unofficial Guide.
This guide has everything you need in one place - including common questions, model answers, how to present your answers to examiners, and numerous practical tips for success - all written by doctors and students who have recently completed the exam process.
Ideal for OSCE candidates wanting to blitz their exams, this book will also make a useful day-to-day reference guide for professionals.
- Over 100 common scenarios - including medical history taking, clinical examination, practical skills and communication skills
- Covers specialities including orthopaedics, paediatrics, psychiatry, radiology, prescribing, O&G, ophthalmology, ENT
- Over 300 full colour clinical photos to bring the text to life, including images of patients with disease features
- Clearly outlines how to relay the assessment of a patient to an examiner or to other doctors on a ward round
- Model answers to key OSCE questions
- Written and reviewed by doctors and senior medical students - essential guidance from those in the know
- New data interpretation chapter
- New dedicated ophthalmology chapter
Table of Contents
1OSCE 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?
Parkinson's Examination
Peripheral Arterial Examination?
Varicose Veins Examination?
Ulcer Examination?
Neck Lumps Examination?
Thyroid Examination?
Cushing's 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
