NZREX Clinical study plan

Map the Medicine domain into a written checklist of presenting-symptom stations (chest pain, breathlessness, collapse, fever, weight loss, confusion) and mark your current confidence 1-5 for each

Practise a structured 8-minute history and 5-minute focused examination out loud for at least six medical presentations, timing each attempt

Draft a one-page framework for forming and prioritising a differential diagnosis, then apply it verbally to three cases

List the common investigations you would order for each of the six presentations and justify each choice in one sentence

Rehearse interpreting and explaining common investigation results (ECG rhythms, chest X-ray patterns, arterial blood gases, full blood count, renal and liver panels) aloud in under three minutes each

Practise managing acute medical scenarios (acute coronary syndrome, acute severe asthma, sepsis, hypoglycaemia, upper gastrointestinal bleed) using an ABCDE approach spoken step by step

Deliver a structured explanation of a chronic disease and its management plan to a simulated patient in plain language, checking understanding

Self-record two full medical stations and score them against a written marking rubric covering history, examination, communication and clinical reasoning

Break the Surgery domain into acute-abdomen, trauma, wound and postoperative presentations, and write the key discriminating questions and examination findings for each

Rehearse focused abdominal and trauma examinations aloud, narrating findings and their significance as you go

Practise prioritising management in acute surgical scenarios (peritonitis, bowel obstruction, testicular torsion, appendicitis, major trauma) with explicit time-critical decision points

Explain common surgical consent conversations and postoperative complication risks to a simulated patient in plain language

Run two full mock circuits mixing Medicine and Surgery stations under strict timing with a study partner or recorded self-assessment

Identify the three weakest stations from the mocks and rewrite your approach to each with specific corrective actions

Practise concise handover and referral communication (SBAR format) for four medical and surgical scenarios

Review your error log from weeks 1-3 and confirm each recurring error has a written corrective strategy

Map the Obstetrics and Gynaecology domain into stations covering early pregnancy bleeding, abdominal pain in pregnancy, hypertensive disorders, labour assessment, postpartum complications and gynaecological presentations

Rehearse a structured antenatal and gynaecological history and focused examination aloud, including safe and respectful communication

Practise interpreting cardiotocography, pelvic ultrasound reports and basic obstetric blood results, explaining your interpretation aloud

Rehearse time-critical obstetric scenarios (postpartum haemorrhage, pre-eclampsia, shoulder dystocia, ectopic pregnancy) using a prioritised ABCDE approach

Map the Paediatrics domain into stations covering the febrile child, respiratory distress, dehydration and gastroenteritis, failure to thrive, developmental concerns and the unwell neonate

Rehearse paediatric history-taking with a parent and child, including age-appropriate communication and safeguarding awareness

Practise calculating paediatric drug doses, fluid requirements and interpreting paediatric observations and growth charts aloud

Rehearse recognising and escalating a deteriorating child using a structured paediatric early-warning approach

Map the Psychiatry domain into stations covering low mood, psychosis, anxiety, self-harm and suicide risk, acute confusion, and substance misuse

Rehearse a structured mental state examination aloud and practise conducting an explicit risk assessment for self-harm and suicide

Practise breaking difficult news sensitively and explaining a management plan in plain language to a simulated patient

Rehearse recognising and managing an acutely agitated or delirious patient, including when to seek senior help and how to apply relevant mental health legislation in principle

Run two full mock circuits spanning all five domains under strict timing, with a study partner scoring each station against a written rubric

Rehearse your weakest two stations from each domain until each is completed confidently within time

Review all error logs and checklists and confirm every previously identified weakness now has a rehearsed corrective response

Draft a written day-of-exam routine covering timing, communication phrases, structure prompts and stress management