Dear All

Thank you for attending the session today. 

We completed History in Clinical exam – how it is used and tested across all stations and how it is different at each station and how you have to tackle at each station. You can see the presentation online.

History station was focussed history from a parent of 11 years old boy with Coeliac disease. Dr U was in the hotseat, Dr A was a very able Role Player as father of Jon and Dr S & Dr S had examiner hats. Dr U made a good attempt at getting the information required – spread over 2 sessions – hence there was an element of disjointedness. 

There are few Learning points:

• Social issues can come up in with Chronic diseases – be aware
• Introduction – remember you are Not ‘Baby doctor’ – if dealing with an older child
• Be just a Paediatrician or a doctor on Call of in the clinic
• Let the Role player speak without interrupting – they will not talk for more than 2 mins!
• Make not of points they are mentioning – tackle them in order of importance
• If ‘all is well’ – look for some hidden cause – dig deeper and you will get to know
• Do not go into dietary details – if all is said to be well
• If a review is needed – ask as specialist i.e. dietician in this case
• Do not slip into communication mode – you will be wasting your time unnecessarily
• PARK the query – acknowledge the query – DO NOT ignore
• Do not introduce new worries – if not required
• Use your template as guide so as not to miss important aspects
• Offer Written management plans as part of your management strategy

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

Anil Garg