1. Common OSCE stations
Paul Lord

2. Overview
• Common approach to all OSCE stations
– What to expect
– Advice for any station
• Common themes
– Intro to topics

3. What to expect
• Change in format from previous years
• 10 minute stations
– No mini-stations
– No OSLERS
• Examiners still expect you to cover the same
competences
• All stations on one day are the same in all exam
locations
• Most stations change from day to day – not all

4. What to expect
• Similar to previous years exams
– Stations may have introductory information and
time to prepare
– Some stations are brief and you will get to leave
early if completed
– Don’t worry if you haven’t finished – you can still
get full marks

5. An approach to all stations
• Smile
• Listen to what is being asked – you can always ask the
examiner to repeat/clarify
• Introduce yourself
• Obtain consent
• WASH YOUR HANDS
– Gloves may be available on some stations
• Take your time
– Look around the station – there may be clues
– stop and think whenever you need to

6. The examiners
• Friendly
– May prompt you
– Will point things out for you
• Uninterested (rude!)
– Will give no indication of how you are doing
– Look like they don’t want to be there
• They are all trying to find reasons to pass you –
not fail you

7. Patients
Too obstructive Too helpful
• Will not give you any • Will not shut up!
information
• Are worried about ‘giving • Can use up all of your time
away the answer’
• Don’t be afraid to interrupt
• Remember what your
objective is

8. COMMON THEMES

9. Types of station
• Communication
• History taking
• Examination
• Spotters
• Disease investigation and management

10. Communication
• In every station!
• Handling complaints
• Breaking news
• Obtaining information / consent
• Ethical discussions
• Remember that it is still a quantitative exam

11. Communication
• Previous stations
– Anxious parent +/- Non-accidental injury
– Complaint about a GP in your practice –
confidentiality
– Explain a procedure – consent
– Counselling e.g. HIV testing

12. History taking
• Formally – OSLERS
– Can you take a comprehensive history
– Common chronic/stable diseases
• Shorter stations
– Can you obtain pertinent information in limited
time
– Emergency situations – e.g. chest pain

13. Examination
• Full and comprehensive
– Neuro exam
– Visual fields
– Cranial nerves
• Quick and specific
– “listen to this heart sound”
– “examine this patients lower limb joints”
– Followed by discussion about your findings

14. Spotters
• Used to be 5 minute stations
• May now include more discussion about the
disease
• Always stable/chronic problems
• Don’t be afraid to talk to the patients
– Ask how long they have had it and what
treatment they have had

15. Spotters
• Previous examples
– Rheumatoid hand
– AV Fistula
– Dermatology – either eczema or psoriasis
– Diabetic foot
– Leg ulcer
– Total knee/hip replacement (X-ray or patient)
– (neurofibromatosis)
• Don’t forget death certificates – this came up
every day last year!

16. Diseases and investigation
• Common diseases
– Ischaemic heart disease
– Diabetes
– Stroke
– Inflammatory Bowel Disease
– Rheumatoid Arthritis
– Chronic renal failure

17. Management
• Basic Life Support
• Acute coronary syndrome
• Make sure you can quickly list investigations
and management of common diseases

18. Overall
• WASH YOUR HANDS
• Take your time
• Ask for help from the patient
• Stations are usually basic – you can get lots of
marks for the correct approach