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2015 Year 2 OSCE Frequently Asked Questions

Q. Will the simulated patients pretend to have pathology in the


examination station? E.g. pain and tenderness?
A. No, the simulated patients will not pretend to have pathology.

Q. We had clear marking sheets/criteria for breaking bad news and


history taking, but not for communication with a palliative care patient,
sexual history taking, motivational interviewing or history in a mental
health setting. Are there are any specific expectations/marking sheets
for these scenarios?
A. The Clinical Communication Skills (CCS) station is an assessment of
communication skills overall, rather than a checklist of criteria. Students will be
expected to use the principles that you have learned during the CCS modules
over the past 2 years for any scenario presented

Q. Students are very worried about correctly identifying the Stage of


Change in a Motivational Interviewing scenario. Is it an automatic fail if
the student doesn't correctly identify the correct stage?
A. There is no automatic fail on the OSCE. The examiner will take each aspect
of the task into consideration before awarding the Overall Impression score.
Q. Regarding about testing sensation for peripheral neuropathy in the
OSCE due to time constraints, is this an abridged version or a full test
of sensation?
A. For the physical examination station, time constraints will be an issue for all
examinations so my general advice to students is start doing everything as if
you are doing a comprehensive examination and the examiner will move you on
when you have adequately demonstrated your technique i.e. dont take short
cuts, but expect not to finish everything completely.
Q. For the History taking station, how long and detailed should the
Systems Review be in view of the time constraints?
A. The systems review is not the major focus of this short history taking station,
however, students need to demonstrate to the examiner that they understand
the need for a systems review and that they are able to perform a brief systems
review in a time-limited scenario. Please refer to the sample Station 1 (History
taking) assessment sheet on Blackboard.
Q. Which physical examinations are assessable in the OSCE?
A. This information is provided in the Year 2 OSCE lecture slides which is on
Blackboard in the Year 2 OSCE section.
Q. How many positives and negatives do I need for each diagnosis in
the Clinical Reasoning station?

A. There is no limit or minimum number of positives or negatives in this station.


You need to provide 3 differential diagnoses and justify your choices to the
examiner. This will involve articulating the positives and negatives. You may be
asked to expand on these by the examiner.
Q. With respect to the physical examination station, do we report what
we are doing/looking for as we are doing it? (i.e. I'm examining the
hands to check for clubbing, pallor etc)
OR
Do we just report positive findings during the examination? (i.e. There
are spider naevi on the chest, the pulse rate is 80)
OR
Do we report everything at the end and not talk to the examiner during
the examination?
A. Option 1 is correct - report what we are doing/looking for as we are doing it?
(i.e. I'm examining the hands to check for clubbing, pallor etc) This is because
the patients are simulated patients and (probably) dont have any clinical
signs.
You should talk through the examination as you are doing it.
Q. I was just after some help in clarifying the proper technique for
McMurray's manoeuvre when assessing knee joint menisci. Particularly,
the valgus versus varus forces applied to stress either meniscal
compartment.
A. Currently, this examination is under review, and if required to do a McMurrays
test in the OSCE, it is sufficient to perform the following:
1
2
3

Stabilise the knee and apply your calliper hand


Full extension and flexion of the knee
To test medial meniscus laterally rotate the tibia whilst extending the
knee
4 To test the lateral meniscus medially rotate the tibia whilst extending the
knee
It is not necessary to refine the test further by applying either varus or valgus
force at this point, as this part of the examination is being reviewed.
Q. How we should structure a sexual health interview?
A. The resources for sexual history taking include the Module 8 Information
sheets and lecture slides in Clinical Communication Skills as well as the Womens
and Mens Health pre-reading materials.
Q. We have a question regarding UL and LL neuro exams.
In the Handbook assessment sheets there are sections regarding
Peripheral nerves (Lateral cutaneous, femoral, sciatic and common
fibular for LL and Median, Radial, Ulnar for UL).

We've looked at Talley and O'connor and notice there are specific tests
for motor/sensory components of these nerves. We'd like to clarify
where these fit in for OSCEs - whether they would be classed as 'further
tests', whether they should be discussed or performed?
A. You should be prepared to discuss these if asked as they would fit under
further tests.

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