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Simple interrupted suture – Wound suturing – OSCE guide
This is an introduction to basic suturing skills. Here we discuss the equipment required, principles of wound management and the technique you should adopt to suture safely and effectively. Equipment...
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Dermatomes and Myotomes
This article explains the dermatomes and myotomes of the human body, with an included dermatome map. Examining myotomes and dermatomes is a vital part of a thorough neurological examination,...
View ArticleHydration status assessment – OSCE guide
Being able to assess the hydration status of a patient is an important skill that you’ll use regularly in clinical practice. It involves assessment of whether a patient is hypovolaemic (dehydrated),...
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Focused examination for aortic stenosis – OSCE guide
In OSCE scenarios, you may be asked to perform a focused examination to determine the presence (or absence) of a certain condition. In order to do this, you need to be comfortable with the relevant...
View ArticleManagement of Acute Atrial Fibrillation (AF)
New-onset atrial fibrillation (AF) is a potentially life-threatening condition which needs to be rapidly recognised, effectively managed, and escalated to appropriate senior staff. This guide provides...
View ArticleHeart murmur types
What is a heart murmur? A heart murmur is the sound produced when blood flowing through the heart is turbulent. The flow of blood is usually smooth, however, abnormalities may cause turbulence, which...
View ArticleGait abnormalities – assessment and causes
Normal gait cycle The normal gait cycle is divided into two phases (swing and stance phase). Each limb will alternate between these two phases. Stance phase Limb with foot on the ground Starts with...
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Newborn baby assessment – OSCE guide
This guide aims to provide a structured approach to performing a newborn baby assessment in an OSCE setting. Check out the newborn baby assessment OSCE mark scheme here. Head Skin Face Upper limbs...
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Hand washing – OSCE guide
Introduction Effective hand washing is a key skill all healthcare workers need to be capable of performing. Hands are the main method of pathogen transmission in the healthcare context and therefore...
View ArticleBlood culture collection – OSCE guide
Taking blood cultures is a relatively common OSCE station. You’ll be expected to demonstrate your clinical skills and ability to communicate effectively. This blood culture collection OSCE guide...
View ArticleFaecal Occult Blood Testing (FOBT) Explanation – OSCE guide
Finding blood in the stool is always abnormal and should be evaluated by a medical professional as soon as possible. The faecal occult blood test (FOBT) is used to determine the presence of blood in...
View ArticleA lady with a headache…
Introduction You are a junior doctor working in General Practice. Your first patient in the clinic is a 24-year old secretary, complaining of chronic, recurrent headaches. Take a history and examine...
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Basic life support (BLS) – OSCE guide
This basic life support (BLS) guide aims to provide an overview of performing BLS in a hospital setting, which is a common OSCE scenario. This guide is based on the Resuscitation Council (UK) guidance...
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pGALS (Paediatric Gait, Arms and Legs) examination – OSCE guide
pGALS examination (Paediatric Gait, Arms, Legs and Spine) is often used as a quick screening tool to detect locomotor abnormalities and functional disability in a child. This pGALS examination OSCE...
View ArticleSurgical scrub, gowning and gloving
The surgical scrub is an important procedure required to reduce the risk of contamination by microorganisms during operative procedures. The surgical scrub involves first decontaminating the hands,...
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Horizontal Mattress Suture – OSCE guide
Horizontal mattress sutures are useful in wounds under tension and help to evert wound edges when skin naturally inverts into the wound. The horizontal mattress is a square-shaped suture with the knot...
View ArticleSurgical Gloving Technique – OSCE guide
This guide explains how to put on sterile surgical gloves in the operating theatre setting (surgical gloving). As a result, this guide assumes you have already decontaminated your hands and donned a...
View ArticleSurgical Gowning Technique – OSCE guide
This guide describes how to put on a sterile surgical gown in the operating theatre setting (often referred to as surgical gowning). As a result, this guide assumes you have already decontaminated your...
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Speculum Examination – OSCE guide
Speculum examination frequently appears in OSCEs. You’ll be expected to competently perform the procedure and demonstrate appropriate communications skills with the patient or mannequin. This speculum...
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Focused examination for aortic stenosis – OSCE guide
In OSCE scenarios, you may be asked to perform a focused examination to determine the presence (or absence) of a certain condition. In order to do this, you need to be comfortable with the relevant...
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