Stage 3 Assessment Preparation - Tips Part 2

Prioritisation tasks

This typically gives you a list of things that need to be done in a limited time, and asks for you to list them in order of importance / priority, with a reason for each. The most important thing to remember is that the REASONS you give for your prioritisation is the important thing. There is no one right answer / order, so it is important NOT to get hung up on that. Usually there is at least one that is clearly of high clinical importance.

Group Tasks

For group activities, there are typically two different types used. One type offers a scenario - e.g. one of the doctors is coming in late / not pulling their weight / drunk etc., discuss this in the practice meeting. You are assigned a role and asked to role play a discussion. The examiners are looking at your team work / communication / leadership skills. Your interaction with other group members, and the way you get involved / involve others are key. Having a sensible idea about dealing with the situation is a bonus, but not essential. Remember that there is often a "hidden agenda" - maybe the doctor in question is having difficulties at home etc.

The other type of group task involves each of you advocating for a new service e.g. - the practice has a budget of £50k to develop one new service from e.g. smoking cessation, obesity management, STI clinic or health promotion. You are assigned one of these and have to prepare a small speech about why your service should be allocated the money, and then all discuss as a group where the funding should go (this is just an example). Here having a good idea helps, but again interaction and team work are key.

Communication Tasks.

These typically use a simulated patient interaction - a simulated consultation.

The simulated consultation could include various communication issues - an ethical scenario, breaking bad news, explaining an investigation or diagnosis etc. In these cases, remember the basics will get you some easy marks - introduce yourself, try to establish rapport, ask about the patients Ideas Concerns and Expectations. Check the patient's understanding and try to be patient centred.

Clinical knowledge is not being assessed, however if you demonstrate a clear lack of basic clinical expertise, or tell the patient something that is clearly unsafe, this may affect your overall mark.

In some cases, the simulated patient will be asked how they felt you communicated with them, and this may affect your marks.
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