Kerry Bosworth, The University of Nottingham

Core Clinical Skills for OSCEs in Medicine has a broad focus, including history taking, communication, examination, interpretation of results and procedural skills. Within each section there are a number of cases for the reader to consider. The book is also indexed by systems, making it ideal as an introductory text highlighting key topics, as well as for use as a revision guide.
Whilst brevity is one of the book’s strengths, it is also one of its weaknesses and this is by no means a comprehensive text. It also highlights how quickly protocols change and some of the text, including the resuscitation information, is out-of-date.
However, for a quick skim read before starting a placement or in the run up to exams, this book is invaluable.

Posted 1st Jul 2008

Lisa Quinn, University of Manchester

Written by people who know exactly what you should know for your exams, this text is an excellent revision resource in preparing for those dreaded OSCEs. Covering a breadth of topics from history taking skills to discussing HIV testing, each sample OSCE station provides an example scenario, questions you are likely to be asked by the examiner (with answers) and the relevant clinical knowledge to help perform successfully in that station. There is also a ‘Suggestions for Further Practice’, which provide useful tips on how you can acquire or improve various skills. In addition to sample OSCEs the book gives insight in to what the examiners are looking for during OSCEs, how they are marked and what skills you should be competent in at various stages of your training. While you are unlikely to use the book other than just before OSCEs, it can prove useful to dip in to when needing to quickly review how to perform a particular skill. As a result the book remains, quite rightly, a popular text amongst Manchester medical students and will see you right through your time at medical school.

Posted 1st Jul 2008