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
Acute abdomen and appendicitis
Practise a focused assessment, prioritized differential, targeted investigations, immediate management and safety-netting.
Bowel obstruction and perforation
Practise a focused assessment, prioritized differential, targeted investigations, immediate management and safety-netting.
Hernia and biliary disease
Practise a focused assessment, prioritized differential, targeted investigations, immediate management and safety-netting.
Trauma primary survey
Practise a focused assessment, prioritized differential, targeted investigations, immediate management and safety-netting.
Wound and postoperative infection
Practise a focused assessment, prioritized differential, targeted investigations, immediate management and safety-netting.
Postoperative fever, DVT and PE
Practise a focused assessment, prioritized differential, targeted investigations, immediate management and safety-netting.
Breast and colorectal presentations
Practise a focused assessment, prioritized differential, targeted investigations, immediate management and safety-netting.
Procedure consent and postoperative counselling
Practise a focused assessment, prioritized differential, targeted investigations, immediate management and safety-netting.
Expected station skills
- Surgical history and focused examination
- ABCDE approach
- Analgesia, fluids and early consultation
- Consent including risks, benefits and alternatives
- Postoperative complication recognition
Red flags and escalation
- Peritonitis
- Shock
- Compartment syndrome
- Tension pneumothorax
- Ischemic limb
- Postoperative sepsis
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
Acute right-lower-quadrant abdominal pain
Recognize appendicitis and exclude gynecologic emergencies.
Fever on postoperative day five
Identify postoperative infection and need for source control.
Severe leg pain after tibial fracture
Recognize acute compartment syndrome and escalate without delay.