Clinical OSCE guide
An OSCE (Objective Structured Clinical Examination) is a set of timed stations. At each one you take a history, examine a patient, explain something or answer an examiner's questions. Here is how to prepare.
Common station types
- History taking: a focused history from a simulated patient, then questions from the examiner.
- Physical examination: a structured exam of one body system while you explain your findings.
- Communication: breaking bad news, gaining consent, or calming an upset patient or relative.
- Viva questions: short questions about your findings, the likely causes and what you would do next.
Preparation tips
- Read the door note carefully and plan your first minute before you knock.
- Introduce yourself, confirm the patient's identity and gain consent before you start.
- Follow a set structure every time, such as general inspection, then hands, face and chest.
- Describe what you find, then tell the examiner what it means and what you would do next.
- Ask about ideas, concerns and expectations in history stations, then summarise back to the patient.
- Finish with a brief summary, a short list of possible causes and a sensible plan.
- Practise out loud against the clock, then go back and fix what you missed.
Practise these stations on CliniCore
Cardiovascular
- Chest Pain
- Palpitations
- Cardiovascular Exam — Breathlessness & Ankle Swelling
- Cardiovascular Exam — Exertional Chest Tightness
- Syncope
Respiratory
- Acute Wheeze & Breathlessness
- Respiratory Exam — Chronic Breathlessness
- Respiratory Exam — Progressive Breathlessness
- Sharp Chest Pain & Breathlessness
Gastrointestinal
- Bloody Diarrhoea
- Yellow Skin & Itch
- Abdominal Exam — Abdominal Swelling & Fatigue
Neurology
- Sudden Severe Headache
- Transient Neurological Deficit
Surgery
- Informed Consent (Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy)
- Right Iliac Fossa Pain
Psychiatry & Mental Health
- Overdose Presentation — Risk Assessment
- Assessing Capacity to Refuse Treatment
- Postnatal Low Mood
- Agitation & Not Sleeping — History & MSE
- Pre-admission Lifestyle & Substance Review
Obstetrics & Gynaecology
- Reduced Fetal Movements
- Bleeding in Early Pregnancy
Communication & Ethics
- Breaking Bad News (SPIKES)
- Motivational Interviewing (Smoking)
- De-escalating an Angry Relative