Consultation Station

Consultation Station

Timings

• 5 minutes preparatory reading

• 20 minute station

  • 15 minutes: patient- history, examination and explanation

  • 5 minute: examiner- presentation and discussion

Strategy

• Prepare structure in 5 minutes preparation

• A detailed, particularly HPC should prompt a good differential and examination

• History should include- PMH, DHx, Allergies, SHx, ICE; systemic enquiry and consider travel, family and pet history

• Know the core 'PACES' presentations well, e.g. phaeochromocytoma

• Explanation should include:

  • Diagnosis- may not be able to make diagnosis from history

  • Plan- investigations & management

  • Address patients concerns- often impact on life

• Build rapport- comment on work, relieve patient, listen

• Ability to reassure and connect tested- don't need a barage of information

• Avoid asking double questions

In my opinion, this is the hardest station. Two cases with a lot of marks and incredible breadth and depth of presentations. 

Core Conditions 

Stable signs: to present

• Neurofibromatosis 

• Tuberous Sclerosis 

• Acromegaly 

• Cushing's Disease

• Rheumatoid Arthritis

• Thyroid Disease

• Parkinson's Disease

Examinations

• Core: Cardiovascular, Respiratory, Abdominal, Neurology

• Everything else

  • Skin

  • MSK

  • Thyroid

Patient

Presenting Complaint

HPC

• Summarise and signpost

• Provide empathy

Systemic enquiry

Background

PMH

DH

Allergy

Family History

• Open first, then specific

Social History

• Smoking- ever smoked? Yes- how much/ how often

• Alcohol- do you drink?

• Does anyone live with you at home

• Occupation & impact on life

Examination

Explanation to Patient

• Keep it simple

• It may not be appropriate to dive in with a full diagnosis

Examiner

5 minutes

Presentation

Questions

Written in 2026