2. Taylor francis : over 2500+ questions licenced from 18 text-books worth ยฃ191
3. Past examiners : Questions written by previous Medical School examiners
4. Track your performance : QBank uses intelegent software to keep you on track
The reviews are in
โ โ โ โ โ
6,893 users
Don't take our word for it
"The stations you provide are strikingly similar to those I came across during my medical school finals (some even verbatim!), and I have tried many other exam platforms. I'm truly grateful for your priceless support throughout my final couple of years at medical school!"
Raza Q
"It has absolutely everything for medical school, so many histories with detailed differential diagnoses, how to approach emergencies, commonly prescribed drugs..every kind go examination youโll ever need in osces"
John R
"Thank you SO MUCH for the amazing educational resource. Iโve tried lots of platforms and books with mock OSCE stations and yours is by far and away the best Iโve tried"
Ed M
"Get this right away. So helpful for OSCEs but also general clinical learning and understanding. Wish I had brought it sooner"
Emma W
"Without a doubt, your platform outshines all other OSCE resources currently available. In all honesty, I can confidently attribute my success in securing a distinction in my finals to OSCEstop."
Harish K
"OSCEstop distinguishes itself from many other platform banks by offering a wealth of questions that mimic the demanding and complex aspects of our finals. This platform played a crucial role in ensuring I was ready for the level of difficulty that awaited me in my final exams."
Membership includes access to all 4 parts of the site:
1. Learning : All notes, viva questions, track progress
2. Stations : 10 years of past medical school stations. Includes: heart murmurs, ECGs, ABGs, CXR
3. Qbank : 2500+ questions from Taylor Francis books, complete MLA coverage
4. Conditions : all conditions mapped to MLA, progress tracking
The reviews are in
โ โ โ โ โ
6,893 users
Don't take our word for it
"The stations you provide are strikingly similar to those I came across during my medical school finals (some even verbatim!), and I have tried many other exam platforms. I'm truly grateful for your priceless support throughout my final couple of years at medical school!"
Raza Q
"It has absolutely everything for medical school, so many histories with detailed differential diagnoses, how to approach emergencies, commonly prescribed drugs..every kind go examination youโll ever need in osces"
John R
"Thank you SO MUCH for the amazing educational resource. Iโve tried lots of platforms and books with mock OSCE stations and yours is by far and away the best Iโve tried"
Ed M
"Get this right away. So helpful for OSCEs but also general clinical learning and understanding. Wish I had brought it sooner"
Emma W
"Without a doubt, your platform outshines all other OSCE resources currently available. In all honesty, I can confidently attribute my success in securing a distinction in my finals to OSCEstop."
Harish K
"OSCEstop distinguishes itself from many other platform banks by offering a wealth of questions that mimic the demanding and complex aspects of our finals. This platform played a crucial role in ensuring I was ready for the level of difficulty that awaited me in my final exams."
Breaking bad news requires delicate communication skills. The SPIKES protocol (Baile et al. 2000) is an excellent method by which to guide the consultation.
Setting
Ensure you are in a comfortable and confidential room where you will not be interrupted
Perception
Outline events that have led up to the present situation
Ask them what they already know/expect
If possible, gently encourage the patient to say what the diagnosis is:
โCould you tell me whatโs happened so far?โ
โDo you have any ideas as to what the problem might be?โ
โIs there anything you have been worried about?โ
Invitation
Check if the patient
Wants to know the result now
Would like a family member/friend to be present
โI do have the result here today. Would you like me to explain it to you now, or would you prefer to have a family member/friend present?โ
After every statement you make, pause and wait for the patient to respond (silence is the best thing at this point โ there are a million thoughts going around in their head)
If the silence is very awkward, you can ask a question about whatโs going through their mind or how they are feeling
โAs you know, we took a biopsy and, unfortunately, the results are not what we wanted.โ PAUSE AND WAIT
โIโm very sorry to tell you it is a cancer.โ
Explaining
DO NOTlaunch into explanation โ during the knowledge stage and afterwards, the patient must lead the consultation โ only answer questions they ask (they will not remember anything else you say)
Chunk and check any requested explanations
Emotions and Empathy
Acknowledge and reflect back their emotions (including body language)
Donโt try to solve their problems or reassure them, just listen and summarise/bounce back their concerns and expand on them (it shows you are listening and conveys empathy)
If there is a lot of silence, you can ask cautiously about their feelings
โI can see this news is a huge shock.โ PAUSE AND WAIT
โI imagine this news must be making you very anxious.โ PAUSE AND WAIT
โHow are you feeling about hearing this news?โ
โThis must be extremely distressing for you. How are you feeling right now?โ
โThere must be so much going through your head right now. Would it help to talk about it?โ
Strategy and Summary
Agree on a plan
Summarise concerns
Communicating during the consultation
Breaking the news
Stepped approach (wait for a sign of approval from the patient before moving on from each step):
โIโm afraid itโs not good news, Mrs Smith.โ PAUSE AND WAIT FOR PATIENT TO ASK
โUnfortunately the lump is a problem.โ PAUSE AND WAIT FOR PATIENT TO ASK
โYes, Iโm so sorry to have to tell you, it is a cancer.โ PAUSE AND WAIT FOR PATIENT TO ASK
Next: Donโt say anything until the patient speaks. This can feel difficult and take a long time but itโs the best approach to take from this point onwards in the consultation. But if the silence really is too prolonged, you can try gently moving the discussion forwards to the patientโs feelings. (See above under Emotions and Empathy stage.)
Responding to cues/questions
Cues can be verbal or non-verbal. They may be subtle and the only manifestations of much stronger feelings โ the โtip of the icebergโ
Dealing with a cue
Bounce it back (you must show you have recognised it)
Empathise
Explore the content of the cue, e.g. โWould it be OK if I asked more about that?โ
In general, donโt try to solve problems โ it may well be that you canโt. Concentrate on listening sympathetically and encouraging the patient to open up.
e.g. โIโm dying, what does it matter?โ
โI think I can imagine why you might feel like that. But sometimes it can still be helpful to talk about everything thatโs going through your head right now.โ PAUSE AND WAIT
โIโm so sorry โ this news must be devastating for you. I canโt imagine how difficult this must be for you right now.โ PAUSE AND WAIT FOR PATIENT
Donโt start giving information until it is requested
Patients have such pressing concerns that they can find it difficult to listen to what youโre saying. You need to address their concerns out first.
Prompt if you need to, e.g. โYou must have so much going through your mind right now. Would it help to talk about it?โ
We appreciate your trust and want to keep you informed about how we use your data and the terms of service. By agreeing to our terms and conditions, you'll help us provide you with the best possible experience.
Cookies
We use cookies to personalise content and ads, to provide social media features and to analyse our traffic. We also share information about your use of our site with our social media, advertising and analytics partners who may combine it with other information that youโve provided to them or that theyโve collected from your use of their services.
Examination Revision Purposes Only: The content provided on this website is intended solely for studentsโ examination revision purposes. It must not be used to inform clinical practice or to make any medical decisions. The publishers and authors accept no liability for the use of any information on the website.
Not a Substitute for Professional Medical Advice: This website should not be utilised by patients or as a replacement for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of a qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
Accuracy and Currency of Content: The information on this website may not always be accurate, complete, or up to date. We make no representations or warranties of any kind regarding the accuracy, reliability, or completeness of any content.
UK-Based Practice: The medical content on this website is based on practices and guidelines applicable in the United Kingdom. Medical practices and regulations may vary significantly in other countries, and the information provided may not be appropriate or applicable outside the UK.
Drug Information and Dosages: Any drug information and dosages provided are intended for non-pregnant adults who are not breastfeeding and have normal renal and hepatic function. There is no guarantee that the drugs or dosages mentioned are correct, up to date, or licenced for the stated indications. Users should verify this information independently.
Local, National, and International Guidelines: This educational resource does not replace local, national, or international guidelines. Users are advised to consult and adhere to these guidelines in their practice.
Supervision and Indemnity: We advocate for users to be supervised by a licensed individual and to have appropriate medical indemnity. The websiteโs content should not be used in any practical setting.
Liability Limitation: The website, its publishers, authors, and reviewers disclaim all responsibility and legal liability for any use or misuse of the information provided. Users assume full responsibility for how they choose to use the content. This disclaimer applies to all damages, whether direct, indirect, consequential, or otherwise, that may arise from the use of the website.
No Doctor-Patient Relationship: Use of this website does not establish a doctor-patient relationship. If you are a healthcare provider, consult other professional sources and rely on your own professional judgement when making clinical decisions.