“Practical procedures” is a station that tends to be a tick box exercise that needs structure. As with my “intimate examination blog” there are some principles to make sure that despite the slickness of your technique, you don’t forget.

WASH HANDS

Yes, I have said it once and will keep saying it - DO NOT FORGET this. Say you will wash your hands plus use the alcohol gel/wash hands. Make it obvious to the examiner, make their life easy.

CHECK PATIENTS ID

Confirm name and DOB by either patient (if live actor/patient) or check the hospital wrist band. This should then be compared to the notes you have in front of you.

INTRODUCE YOURSELF

State who you are and your status. It is simple and always goes down well.

EXPLAIN THE PROCEDURE

Explain what you have been asked to it i.e. IV cannula, venipuncture. Each procedure will have 1-2 lines that you should learn as your initial spiel.

Explain that it may hurt, and the procedure can be stopped at at anytime.

ASEPTIC TECHNIQUE NON TOUCH TECHNIQUE (ANTT)

For obvious reasons this will need to be followed

SAFE DISPOSAL OF SHARPS

There may be a sharps bin in the station, use this or say you would use a sharps bin

END THE CONSULATION:

1) Thank the patient.

2) Documentation. You may need to verbalise this or physically write it. It depends on the actual procedure but usually along the lines of:

Aseptic Non Touch Technique
No complications
Additional action ie “FBC, U+E, CRP sent off to lab”
Your information + contact details i.e. Bleep number

3) WASH YOUR HANDS!

I hope you found this blog refreshing and to the point. It less of the faff and more about the principles in your mind.

Happy revision :)

leila saeed

August 30, 2020

Personal Blog- CSA exam

leila saeed

August 30, 2020

Hello fellow medics,

I thought I would write a more personal blog about this exam.

The reason I feel so passionately about helping IMGs pass this exam in particular is because I have the personal experience of helping a family member to prepare for it. After spending many years away from his family in a different country and on an expensive MBBS course - my brother knew this exam had to passed, failure was not an option (as I reminded him most days…!).

Secondly, OSCE skills training and mentoring is a great topic that I enjoy and do on a regular basis as my job as a GP. I have also been involved in preparing for OSCE exams with similar format myself or helped others prepare. Having a chance to put this into action and seeing graduates progress in their learning and confidence is amazing.

Lastly, and the most important reason is I understand and have witnessed the drive and ambition that IMGs (whether UK or Non UK residents) bring. They have that extra drive that means they make hard working, knowledgable and conscientious doctors. I am so grateful that I have had a chance to work alongside IMGs and to learnt from them.

It has not been an easy year for those preparing for this exam with the uncertainty of just about everything, so to be able to get through this hurdle is going to feel amazing.

So, for those reading this - the best of luck in your preparation. Hard work does pay off. Stay focused, don't allow distractions to occur and just see yourself as passing and then running around on those wards August 2021 as a junior doctor….!

Happy vibes x

leila saeed

August 24, 2020

OSCE skills: Practical Procedures- Intimate Examinations

leila saeed

August 24, 2020

Hello fellow medics,

I hope we have been staying well.

Some quick reminders to get us thinking when doing intimate examinations in OSCE.

The intimate examinations that may be tested include:

1) Rectal examination

2) Breast examination

3) Testes examination

For these examinations, having the knowledge of the anatomy and technique is great, but you can read that in a test book. I am here to give you some “must do’s” to avoid failing the station. The principles are aimed at communication skills and general principles of all exams. So keep reading..

1) WASH HANDS

On entering the room (any room!) always wash your hands. Say it and do it (in the exam it may be hand sanitiser). Make a thing of it to show you understand and appreciate the importance of this.

2) INTRODUCE YOURSELF

Always introduce yourself. Tell the patient/mannikin your name and status.

3) CONFIRM PATIENTS ID

Ask for name and DOB/check wrist band (if no actor is present to answer!) and compare these to the notes.

4) EXPLAIN THE PROCEDURE

Explain what you are going to do. Intimate examinations can be uncomfortable (physically and emotionally) and therefore a clear explanation of the procedure alleviates any anxiety. Explain that the examination may be uncomfortable, but shoudln’t be painful and that you can stop at anytime. Something as simple as this shows you are empathetic, professional and have great communication skills.

5) GIVE PATIENT PRIVACY TO GET UNDRESSED

Close the curtains whilst the patient is getting dressed/undressed. This is common courtesy and shows respect and dignity for the patient.

6) EXPOSE ONLY THE NECESSARY AREAS

When examining breast, expose waist up

When examining Testes, expose waist down. You can cover the genitalia with a bed sheet/ask the patient to cover up

When examining the rectum, expose waist down. Again, you can cover the genitalia with a bed sheet.

7) END OF EXAMINATION

Thank the patient
Allow the patient to get dressed in privacy
Take off gloves/apron
Wash hands
Explain to the patient that you are now going to speak to the examiner to summarise your findings

I hope this has been a guide and revision for you. It is easy to get bogged down with the tick list of the examination and then miss basic principles that can fail you.

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Happy revising :)

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