The Unofficial Guide to Passing OSCEs
- 4th Edition - March 8, 2023
- Latest edition
- Editors: Zeshan Qureshi, Emily Hotton, Sammie Mak
- Language: English
The unique and award-winning Unofficial Guides series is a collaboration between senior students, junior doctors and specialty experts. This combination of contributors understan… Read more
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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
Medical Students
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
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
Review of the previous edition:
"This book is amazing and I don't think I would have passed my exams without it" --Cath Roels, Medical Student
"The chapters are clearly written, in simple language that should appeal to students and reflect the fact that the authors themselves have recently been OSCE candidates. They are all part of what I believe is a genuine re-invigoration of the art of teaching amongst junior medical staff" --Simon Maxwell, Professor of Student Learning, University of Edinburgh
"As suggested by its name, The Unofficial Guide to Passing OSCEs is a well presented learning and revision guide for medical students. Well over 70 people have been involved in the creation of this informative guide which is now in its Third Edition. It is essentially a concise collection of informative guides covering core and popular OSCE stations. The guide s method of creation allows it to be used in multiple ways by readers there is wealth of knowledge covering each OSCE station. The important and basic features of each skill are clearly highlighted via concise lists, tables and much more. The book quite rightly contains all the essentials that you would typically expect of a book in this format including but not limited to illustrations, photographs, radiology images and graphs." --International Journal Of Clinical Skills
"This book is amazing and I don't think I would have passed my exams without it" --Cath Roels, Medical Student
"The chapters are clearly written, in simple language that should appeal to students and reflect the fact that the authors themselves have recently been OSCE candidates. They are all part of what I believe is a genuine re-invigoration of the art of teaching amongst junior medical staff" --Simon Maxwell, Professor of Student Learning, University of Edinburgh
"As suggested by its name, The Unofficial Guide to Passing OSCEs is a well presented learning and revision guide for medical students. Well over 70 people have been involved in the creation of this informative guide which is now in its Third Edition. It is essentially a concise collection of informative guides covering core and popular OSCE stations. The guide s method of creation allows it to be used in multiple ways by readers there is wealth of knowledge covering each OSCE station. The important and basic features of each skill are clearly highlighted via concise lists, tables and much more. The book quite rightly contains all the essentials that you would typically expect of a book in this format including but not limited to illustrations, photographs, radiology images and graphs." --International Journal Of Clinical Skills
- Edition: 4
- Latest edition
- Published: March 8, 2023
- Language: English
ZQ
Zeshan Qureshi
Affiliations and expertise
Paediatric Registrar, London Deanery, UKEH
Emily Hotton
Affiliations and expertise
Obstetric Registrar, North Bristol NHS Trust, Bristol, UKSM
Sammie Mak
***
Affiliations and expertise
Junior Doctor, NHS England, Manchester, UK