In the heat of the moment....

Preparation for OSCE exams next weeks continues. OSCEs aren't easy as the main thing you have to be is VERY thorough, don't miss steps and cut corners even though 'proper' doctors do so every day.

However once you're in the station and you're own heart is going 10 to the dozen. It's often the simple things we forget.



1) Introduce yourself (full name, why you're there, what you intend to do)

2) Ask the patient's name (and make an attempt to remember and use it!)

3) Check the patient's date of birth.

4) Explain the procedure and get consent (do this even if your 'patient' is a plastic body part)

5) Wash your hands (easy - but also easy to forget!!)

6) Talk through everything like a crazy person, so the examiner knows exactly what your doing and gives you lots of marks.

7) Don't forget to look at the patient and inspect their appearance before you start poking them - do an end-of-bed-o-gram!

8) State extra stuff you would do in a hospital - even if you have no intention of doing them right then!

9) Tell the patient they can get dressed again at the end!

10) Breath :-)