Dear All

Thank you for participating in the session today.

We broke away from our regular pattern of RRRs and discussed Q&As raised by our members who will be in the ‘Real Hot Seat’ over the weekend.

Questions were relevant to how to tackle some tricky situation is the exam.

  • A colleague is noted to come under influence of alcohol on more than one occasion, ward sister is told you. How will you proceed / what will you do? Suggestion: As your colleague – can be ‘more friendly than with patients. Can give a name and sit with a cup of coffee to discuss the issues. Let them open up and encourage talk with the consultant on their own – you do not need to tell on their behalf. However do not let Patient Safety be compromised.
  • How to refuse a medically unnecessary investigation being demanded by parent / role player? Suggestion: Instead of being us & them and opposing – think of ‘negative’ effects of the test asked. Pain, radiation, GA, duration of treatment etc. Put it to parent that they would not like their child to ‘suffer’ the side effects. No parent would like to put their child through pain!
  • Clinical station: if not clear of the task – Clarify. Do not proceed on the wrong ‘path’.

In Communication do not ignore: parent’s name or name / age / gender of child if given.
Do not address Role player as ‘mother’. They are not your mother. ask their name or how they would like to be addressed.

We then practised Eye station again with Dr R in the Hotseat and Dr Shishir in the Examiner seat. Good attempt with some tips for securing more marks. We then had a clip of MSK examination on how to do it in < 6 minutes.

The Learning points are:

  • Do NOT forget 30 secs rule. Remember 30 sec is not lower limit but the maximum speaking time before pause.
  • Eye check: Visual acuity / Field of vision / Movements / Accommodation and Light reflex, fundoscopy.
  • MSK ask the screening questions – difference from Neurology.
  • Listen to task carefully
  • Tiem management very important
  • Use your template and cover all points noted.
  • Too much information will not get you more than allocated marks in plan.
  • Missing will get you no marks for that part.

Please visit www.mrcpchonline.org to write your comments or points I have missed.

Anil Garg