Module objectives
By the end of this module, you should be able to gather focused information, identify the most likely and most dangerous diagnoses, choose appropriate investigations, begin safe management and communicate the plan clearly.
Core presentations
Breaking bad news
Practise a focused assessment, prioritized differential, targeted investigations, immediate management and safety-netting.
Informed consent
Practise a focused assessment, prioritized differential, targeted investigations, immediate management and safety-netting.
Capacity and substitute decision-making
Practise a focused assessment, prioritized differential, targeted investigations, immediate management and safety-netting.
Confidentiality
Practise a focused assessment, prioritized differential, targeted investigations, immediate management and safety-netting.
Adolescent confidentiality
Practise a focused assessment, prioritized differential, targeted investigations, immediate management and safety-netting.
Treatment refusal
Practise a focused assessment, prioritized differential, targeted investigations, immediate management and safety-netting.
Medical-error disclosure
Practise a focused assessment, prioritized differential, targeted investigations, immediate management and safety-netting.
Interpreter use
Practise a focused assessment, prioritized differential, targeted investigations, immediate management and safety-netting.
Cultural humility
Practise a focused assessment, prioritized differential, targeted investigations, immediate management and safety-netting.
Goals of care
Practise a focused assessment, prioritized differential, targeted investigations, immediate management and safety-netting.
Motivational interviewing
Practise a focused assessment, prioritized differential, targeted investigations, immediate management and safety-netting.
Mandatory reporting
Practise a focused assessment, prioritized differential, targeted investigations, immediate management and safety-netting.
Expected station skills
- Introduce role and confirm identity
- Set an agenda
- Use open then focused questions
- Name and validate emotion
- Check understanding with teach-back
- Close with a clear plan and safety net
Red flags and escalation
- Coercion
- Lack of capacity
- Immediate safety risk
- Abuse or neglect
- Privacy breach
- Failure to disclose urgent findings
Station rehearsal template
- Read the task and identify the required output.
- Open professionally and establish the agenda.
- Gather focused positive and negative findings.
- Summarize and prioritize the differential.
- State investigations and management in a safe sequence.
- Address the patient’s concerns and understanding.
- Close with disposition, follow-up and safety-netting.
Suggested complete 11-minute stations
Consent for lumbar puncture
Demonstrate valid consent and balanced risk discussion.
Adolescent confidentiality and sexual health
Explain confidentiality, assess capacity/safety and provide confidential care.
Breaking a new colorectal cancer diagnosis
Deliver serious news clearly, respond to emotion and establish a next-step plan.
Disclosure of an insulin medication error
Disclose a harmful error honestly, address immediate care and explain prevention steps.
Refusal of blood transfusion
Respect a capable refusal while treating hemorrhage and offering acceptable alternatives.