Thank you for attending one of the two sessions today and making them so interesting and useful. Shishir and Maria were in the hot seat and Anish and Saha were the very able role players.

The scenario was of a 15 years old young person with a suspected diagnosis of acute lymphatic leukaemia requiring a bone marrow aspiration to be performed. The task was to explain the procedure to the person and address their concerns.

The scenarios were very well handled by the candidates. The critical observers give very valid observations and substantiated them with what they had noted.

The learning points are:

• Accuracy of information – wrong information will bring down the mark awarded.
• Mention the task, better soon after introductions, so are less likely to be side tracked.
• As ‘Doctor’ you need to be in the driving seat – diagnosis are ‘Likely / suspected’
• Particular test / procedure is to confirm diagnosis and plan treatment
• No procedure can be pain free unless under GA – ‘Pain as less as possible’ with ‘medication’
• Read up Gillick competence / Fraser competence
• Avoid jargon – is have to use medical term – explain what it means.
• Will I die? Be empathic and REASSURING – with treatment we expect your will be fine’.
• How to use opening statements.
• Be doctors with hope and sunshine than doom and gloom.

If there are any points I have missed please add them on.

The sessions have been recorded with consent of the participants – scenarios and discussions. They will be available for 2 weeks in case you have been at work and unable to attend.

Anil Garg

Commnets