OSCE revision- The best online websites and books!

OSCE revision: The best online websites and books

Hello everyone,


I hope you are staying well during these random times.

I can imagine it being so difficult focusing your mind on OSCE revision- you don’t know when or if there will be an exam in 2020.

Nonetheless, as I have suggested in previous posts - its better to stay up to date than forget some basic facts.

Here I have a short list of some websites and books that are best for revision. Remember stick to one/two from each section! Happy revision and stay safe.



Online tools:

  • Geeky Medics

    This website covers all aspects of the written and clinical exam. It has information and mark schemes to print off and is a great resource to work from. It is up to date, relevant and easy to navigate.

  • OSCE STOP

    Great website, again with lots of information and references. Clean and easy to follow and has all the information in one place.

  • Patient.co.uk

    Now, this is a surprising one I hear you say. The reason I LOVE this website and used it for all my clinical exams (there have been lots!) is because it talks about medicine in “lay terms”. This is great for getting to grips with avoiding medical jargon, which is absolutely needed in ‘explanation stations’. It has hundreds of patient information leaflets for common diseases and procedures.

Books:

  • Oxford Clinical Handbook of Medicine (known as “Cheese and Onion”!)

    I love this book for a quick reference. When my brother was revising for his UKFPO CA, he would use this as a summary after having a full on day of revision. I would also use it as an aid to testing his knowledge, as all the information is on one page. A great, concise and easy to follow book.

  • Oxford Clinical Handbook For Foundation Programme

    For the same reasons above, I recommend this book. It is concise and specific to the Foundation Programme, and so aimed at the right level.


I hope you find this information useful and beneficial to your learning. I really am a fan of one/two resources in each category to avoid confusion and feeling over whelmed.

Any question, please do email me, I am more than happy to help.

Happy revising :)




5 TIPS FOR PREPARING FOR THE CLINICAL SKILLS EXAM

OSCE preparation: 5 tips for preparing for the clinical Skills Exam (OSCEs)

1) Start preparation early

  • think about the exam ahead of time. Get your head around what is expected, the format and the content. Even if for now it is having the syllabus in front of you so you know what is coming up, that is enough until the real heavy revision starts.

2) Put a timetable together

  • Now I love a timetable. I advocate a ‘revision timetable’ to those around me. It allows you to structure your learning, pace yourself and will reduce stress. Have a rough layout of your plan in front of you to allow focus and reduce anxiety.

3) Find someone to practice with

  • Find people to practice with. This may vary between one person, three people to even a group (which I wouldn’t advise, max three people). Bounce ideas around and concepts off each other and learn from each others mistakes and good points.


4) Learn from mistakes

  • When getting feedback from people (whom you trust), any negatives should be seen as constructive feedback. The aim of revision is to practice and learn in order to improve. So if you got something completely wrong - learn, make right and move on!

    You should encourage people around you to give constructive feedback, do not shy away from it.

5) Find the resources that suit you

  • Whether you love a book or online learning, find that “go to” resource to help you. This may be one book (i recommend OHCM/ OHFP*).

    Have 1-2 websites as reference for practice OSCE stations/OSCE videos (I recommend Geeky Medics and OSCE Stop). Don’t confuse yourself with lots of resources.

* OHCM: Oxford Handbook of Clinical Medicine; OHFP: Oxford Handbook of Foundation Programme



unpredictable times during OSCE preparation

Unpredictable times during OSCE preparation

Hello fellow doctors,

I hope you are all well throughout these difficult and unpredictable times- the Covid 19 situation has impacted us all in different ways.

I understand that there is a lot of uncertainty in regards to your exams, licenses and registrations.

The best thing you can do right now is:

1) stay in contact with each other- a problem shared, is a problem halved. Don’t spend countless hours analysing the GMC + UKFPO website. Someone will know the answer to that specific question you have..

2) Do keep up to date with GMC + UKFPO website for their regular updates

3) Keep up to date with your paperwork - have this in a separate file, ready to send off at short notice

4) Do keep up to date with exam preparation for those who still need to sit the CSA/SJT etc. Although times are uncertain, you want to keep your knowledge fresh

SIX COMMON MISTAKES MADE IN OSCE EXAMS

OSCE: 6 common mistakes made in OSCE exams

1) Show off:

Be humble and show humility if you make a mistake or need the patient/actor to repeat information.

2) Run out of time:

Manage that time- which comes with practice, practice, practice.

3) Forget to wash their hands!

4) Being brash with the patient/actor:

Even if you get nervous/make a mistake - be nice to the patient/actor. The examiner and patient/actor will take this into account.

5) Vocalise Panic:

Remember the person marking you is seeing if they would want you as their junior doctor - so “act” with confidence.

6) Don't listen to the patient:

If all fails - listen to the patient. This shows empathy and also - communication skills! There is nothing more off-putting then a candidate missing vital information.