Understanding your results

Consultation

Disorganised / unstructured consultation. Includes illogical and disordered approach to questioning. You did not demonstrate sufficiently the ability to follow a logical structure in your consultation. For example, your history taking may have appeared disjointed, with your line of questioning erratic and not following reasoned thinking.  You may have undertaken practical tasks or examination in an illogical order that suggested you did not have a full grasp of the reason for completing them or a plan for the consultation.

Issues

Does not recognise the issues or priorities in the consultation (for example, the patient’s key problem or the immediate management of an acutely ill patient). You did not recognise the key element of importance in the station. For example, giving health and lifestyle advice to an acutely ill patient.

Time

Shows poor time management. You showed poor time management, probably taking too long over some elements of the encounter at the expense of other, perhaps more important areas.

Findings

Does not identify abnormal findings or results or fails to recognise their implications. You did not identify or recognise significant findings in the history, examination or data interpretation.

Examination

Does not undertake physical examination competently, or use instruments proficiently.

Diagnosis

Does not make the correct working diagnosis or identify an appropriate range of differential possibilities.

Management

Does not develop a management plan reflecting current best practice, including follow up and safety netting.

Rapport

Does not appear to develop rapport or show sensitivity for the patient’s feelings and concerns, including use of stock phrases. You did not demonstrate sufficiently the ability to conduct a patient centred consultation. Perhaps you did not show appropriate empathy or sympathy, or understanding of the patient’s concerns. You may have used stock phrases that show that you were not sensitive to the patient as an individual, or failed to seek agreement to your management plan.

Listening

Does not make adequate use of verbal & non-verbal cues. Poor active listening skills. You did not demonstrate sufficiently that you were paying full attention to the patient’s agenda, beliefs and preferences. For example, you may have asked a series of questions but not listened to the answers and acted on them.

Language

Does not use language or explanations that are relevant and understandable to the patient, including not checking understanding. The examiner may have felt, for example, that you used medical jargon, or spoke too quickly for the patient to take in what you were saying.