Management, Counselling and Education
Shared decisions, clear plans
Management stations test whether you can turn a diagnosis into a safe, patient-centred plan and communicate it plainly. Structure the station: explain the diagnosis, discuss options with benefits and harms, agree a plan, and arrange safety-netting and follow-up. Check the patient's understanding throughout and invite questions.
Concepts to demonstrate
Use a shared decision-making model: elicit the patient's priorities, present options neutrally, and support their choice. Cover non-pharmacological measures, medication with dose, route, frequency and key side effects, and when to seek help. For lifestyle counselling use a motivational approach: ask permission, explore importance and confidence, and avoid lecturing. Consider adherence, cost, access and cultural factors.
Traps that cost marks
- Giving a plan without checking the patient agrees or understands.
- Omitting safety-netting (what to do if symptoms worsen).
- Forgetting interactions, allergies, pregnancy or renal function before prescribing.
- Using jargon or overwhelming the patient with information.
- Neglecting follow-up and who is responsible for it.
Worked rule of thumb
Use "teach-back": after explaining, ask the patient to repeat the plan in their own words. If they cannot, rephrase rather than repeat. Close every station with a structured summary: diagnosis, treatment, red-flag advice, follow-up, and how to access help. This single habit captures several checklist items at once and demonstrates safe, patient-centred care.