How will you be tested?

Clinical examination

Most of the stations will involve a simulated patient. You should interact with the actor as you would a real patient, including requesting to perform any relevant clinical examinations.

You should begin each station by confirming your name and GMC number. This is important as the examiner may not always be present in the room and may be watching remotely.

In some rooms you will find telephone consultation stations; the call will be connected for you before you enter the room. It is important you do not touch the phone or monitor as this will disconnect your call.

In some stations, you will be assessed on your ability to conduct a physical examination of the simulated patient, or using a model or manikin.

We expect you to be able to carry out any basic physical examinations, including but not limited to examination of the abdomen, breast, chest, hand, heart, and joints. You must be able to perform a rectal or bimanual vaginal examination. You must also be able to use the appropriate equipment in carrying out an examination of the ear, eye or nervous system.   

You may be required to perform an examination or other procedure on a high-fidelity simulator which can be programmed to show normal and abnormal clinical signs. A role player may speak from outside the room using a microphone connected to the simulator. You can find more information and a video on the manufacturer’s website. Examination of someone's mental state is a form of clinical examination for the purpose of the PLAB 2 exam.

Practical skills

The examiner will assess you on your ability to perform common practical procedures.

The practical skills may include:

• checking blood pressure
• performing venepuncture
• inserting a cannula into a peripheral vein
• calculating drug dosage
• giving intravenous injections
• mixing and injecting drugs into an intravenous bag
• giving intramuscular and subcutaneous injections
• basic cardio-pulmonary resuscitation (adult and child)
• suturing interpreting an electrocardiogram (ECG), X-rays or results of other investigations
• interpreting basic respiratory function tests
• performing urinary catheterisation
• taking a cervical smear
• safe disposal of sharps.

We test these skills by observing the interaction between you and another person, usually a simulated patient or occasionally the examiner. These interactions can take place in person, in writing (eg, a prescription), or via telephone call. The examiner will assess your approach to the patient throughout the examination, even if they are not present in the room.

This may include:

• explaining diagnosis, investigation and treatment

• involving the patient in the decision-making

• communicating with relatives

• communicating with health care professionals

• breaking bad news

• providing clear, legible written instructions where appropriate (eg. prescribing)

• seeking informed consent/clarification for an invasive procedure or obtaining consent for a post-mortem

• dealing with anxious patients or relatives

• giving instructions on discharge from hospital

• giving advice on lifestyle, health promotion or risk factors.
  
  

As we may use an anatomical model in some stations it's important to remember the following: 

• Tell the examiner what you are doing and why only if the instructions tell you to.

• Don't perform any actions on an anatomical model that would be unsafe or painful for a real person.