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
Chest pain and acute coronary syndrome
Practise a focused assessment, prioritized differential, targeted investigations, immediate management and safety-netting.
Dyspnea, asthma, COPD and pneumonia
Practise a focused assessment, prioritized differential, targeted investigations, immediate management and safety-netting.
Palpitations, syncope and heart failure
Practise a focused assessment, prioritized differential, targeted investigations, immediate management and safety-netting.
Abdominal pain, GI bleeding and jaundice
Practise a focused assessment, prioritized differential, targeted investigations, immediate management and safety-netting.
Diabetes, thyroid and adrenal disorders
Practise a focused assessment, prioritized differential, targeted investigations, immediate management and safety-netting.
Headache, seizure, stroke and weakness
Practise a focused assessment, prioritized differential, targeted investigations, immediate management and safety-netting.
AKI, CKD, hematuria and electrolytes
Practise a focused assessment, prioritized differential, targeted investigations, immediate management and safety-netting.
Fever, sepsis and antimicrobial decisions
Practise a focused assessment, prioritized differential, targeted investigations, immediate management and safety-netting.
Expected station skills
- Focused history with relevant negatives
- Targeted cardiovascular, respiratory, abdominal and neurologic examination
- Prioritized differential diagnosis
- Initial investigations and interpretation
- Immediate stabilization plus disposition
Red flags and escalation
- Hemodynamic instability
- Hypoxia or respiratory fatigue
- Acute focal neurologic deficit
- Sepsis or meningism
- Major bleeding
- Severe electrolyte disturbance
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
Chest pain in a 58-year-old
Recognize acute coronary syndrome and immediately dangerous alternatives.
Acute dyspnea with wheeze
Assess asthma severity and start time-critical treatment.
Palpitations followed by syncope
Distinguish high-risk cardiac syncope from benign causes.
Upper gastrointestinal bleeding
Recognize hemorrhagic shock and prioritize resuscitation and source control.