OSCE Talk

Osce Talk

OSCE Talk is a podcast designed to help medical students feel more confident in clinical exams. Hosted by UK resident doctors, each episode focuses on one condition or station, breaking down what to ask, what to look for, and what matters in your OSCE. Fast, practical, and exam-focused.

🔗 Visit oscetalk.com for more free written resources

🎙️ Spotify: OSCE Talk
🍏 Apple Podcasts: OSCE Talk
Instagram: https://instagram.com/oscetalk_
TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@oscetalk_
YouTube → https://www.youtube.com/@oscetalkpod

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40 episodes
weekly
Avg 9 min
English

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Saturday · 10 min
Explaining Type 1 Diabetes in an OSCE
Type 1 diabetes counselling can cover a lot, so having a clear structure makes the station much easier. In this episode, we talk through how to explain type 1 diabetes clearly and safely to a patient, including: • What type 1 diabetes is and why insulin is needed • Common symptoms at diagnosis • Insulin treatment and blood glucose monitoring • Recognising and treating hypoglycaemia • Sick day rules and diabetic ketoacidosis • Long-term complications and routine monitoring • Exercise, alcohol, driving, work and everyday life • How to reassure and safety-net the patient without overwhelming them A useful approach is to explain what normally happens with glucose and insulin first, then describe what changes in type 1 diabetes before moving on to treatment and safety-netting. 🎧 Full episode available on OSCE Talk 📚 More revision resources on the OSCE Talk website Disclaimer OSCE Talk is an educational resource designed primarily to help healthcare students prepare for clinical examinations and medical school applicants prepare for interviews. Episodes focus on key, exam-relevant and salient points and are not intended to provide a complete or exhaustive review of clinical management. Content is for educational purposes only and should not be used as a substitute for formal teaching, clinical supervision, local policies or current national guidance. While we aim to keep our content accurate and useful, medical guidance changes over time and episodes may contain omissions or necessary simplifications. Always refer to appropriate guidance when making clinical decisions or caring for patients.
September 14 · 7 min
Acute Coronary Syndrome: A–E Assessment | OSCE Talk
Chest pain is one of those presentations where having a clear structure really matters. In this episode, we work through how to assess and initially manage a patient with suspected acute coronary syndrome (ACS) using an A–E approach — including: Recognising pulmonary oedema and when oxygen is needed ECG changes, troponins and ACS bloods Initial treatment including aspirin, GTN and analgesia STEMI vs NSTEMI vs unstable angina When to escalate urgently to cardiology Important alternative causes of chest pain not to miss The key principle: treat problems as you find them, reassess after every intervention, and call for help early if the patient is deteriorating.
August 24 · 7 min
Capacity Assessment in Medicine | OSCE Talk 🎙️
Visit oscetalk.com for more written educational resources!Subscribe on Spotify to support us!We focus on capacity assessment in this episode, this looks at the ability for patients to make decisions in the medical setting, this is something you may be asked to do in a Medical School exam. Capacity is made up of 4 main concepts and that is being able to retain, understand information, weigh up, and express their decision. Capacity is time and decision specific.🎧 Listen & Follow:🎙️ Spotify → ⁠⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/01yz38z....Website → https://www.oscetalk.com/🍎 Apple Podcasts → ⁠⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast....▶️ YouTube → / @oscetalkpod 📸 Instagram → / oscetalk_ 🎵 TikTok → / oscetalk_ Disclaimer OSCE Talk is an educational resource designed primarily to help healthcare students prepare for clinical examinations. Episodes on the key, exam-relevant and salient points of each topic and are not intended to provide a complete or exhaustive review of clinical management. Content is for educational purposes only and should not be used as a substitute for formal teaching, clinical supervision, local policies or current national guidance. While we aim to keep our content accurate and useful, medical guidance changes over time and episodes may contain omissions or necessary simplifications. Always refer to appropriate guidance when making clinical decisions or caring for patients.
August 17 · 12 min
Arterial Blood Gas Interpretation! OSCE Talk 🎙️
Visit oscetalk.com for more written educational resources! Subscribe on Spotify to support us! Today we review arterial blood gas analysis. We take it step by step looking at CO2/O2, pH, bicarbonate and acid base balance overall. We look at the causes of respiratory and metabolic acidosis/alkalosis and how these patients can present. This can feel like a complex topic so we go through some worked examples to give some interpretation practice. We finish with real world applications and how this will be needed in everyday life as a Doctor. 🎧 Listen & Follow: 🎙️ Spotify → ⁠⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/01yz38z.... Website → https://www.oscetalk.com/ 🍎 Apple Podcasts → ⁠⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast.... ▶️ YouTube → / @oscetalkpod 📸 Instagram → / oscetalk_ 🎵 TikTok → / oscetalk_ Disclaimer OSCE Talk is an educational resource designed primarily to help healthcare students prepare for clinical examinations. Episodes on the key, exam-relevant and salient points of each topic and are not intended to provide a complete or exhaustive review of clinical management. Content is for educational purposes only and should not be used as a substitute for formal teaching, clinical supervision, local policies or current national guidance. While we aim to keep our content accurate and useful, medical guidance changes over time and episodes may contain omissions or necessary simplifications. Always refer to appropriate guidance when making clinical decisions or caring for patients.
August 10 · 14 min
Resuscitation & Ceiling of Care Discussions, DNACPR | OSCE Talk
This episode looks at resuscitation/DNACPR discussions alongside treatment ceilings of care. This is a sensitive but vital topic which will present itself in medical school examinations, and is a situation you will come across as a Doctor. We look at how to frame this conversation, the need for capacity in decision making, appropriate times to have this conversation, and who needs to be involved. We fully explain CPR, its limitations, the impact that this can have on patients, families, and the healthcare team. Finally covering the importance of detailed documentation. Subscribe on Spotify to help support us! Thank you :)Look out for the OSCE Talk website coming soon!🎧 Listen & Follow:🎙️ Spotify → ⁠⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/01yz38z....🍎 Apple Podcasts → ⁠⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast....▶️ YouTube → / @oscetalkpod 📸 Instagram → / oscetalk_ 🎵 TikTok → / oscetalk_ Disclaimer OSCE Talk is an educational resource designed primarily to help healthcare students prepare for clinical examinations. Episodes on the key, exam-relevant and salient points of each topic and are not intended to provide a complete or exhaustive review of clinical management. Content is for educational purposes only and should not be used as a substitute for formal teaching, clinical supervision, local policies or current national guidance. While we aim to keep our content accurate and useful, medical guidance changes over time and episodes may contain omissions or necessary simplifications. Always refer to appropriate guidance when making clinical decisions or caring for patients.
July 23 · 10 min
Confusion, Delirium & Dementia History Taking | OSCE Talk 🎙️
Please subscribe on Spotify for more premium content in the future, £1.99 will help us produce more of these videos! Today we discuss history taking and investigation of confusion, including acute confusion, alongside gradual loss of memory and function at home. We consider differentials of delirium, dementia, and other organic causes such as stroke, tumour, trauma. Medications are a key cause in many patients. Investigations may be required such as bloods, imaging, or even more invasive testing. We discuss the 4AT and MMSE in identifying delirium and dementia. Look out for the OSCE Talk website coming soon! 🎧 Listen & Follow: 🎙️ Spotify → ⁠⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/01yz38z.... 🍎 Apple Podcasts → ⁠⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast.... ▶️ YouTube → / @oscetalkpod 📸 Instagram → / oscetalk_ 🎵 TikTok → / oscetalk_ Disclaimer OSCE Talk is an educational resource designed primarily to help healthcare students prepare for clinical examinations. Episodes on the key, exam-relevant and salient points of each topic and are not intended to provide a complete or exhaustive review of clinical management. Content is for educational purposes only and should not be used as a substitute for formal teaching, clinical supervision, local policies or current national guidance. While we aim to keep our content accurate and useful, medical guidance changes over time and episodes may contain omissions or necessary simplifications. Always refer to appropriate guidance when making clinical decisions or caring for patients.
July 21 · 8 min
Serotonin Syndrome VS Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome | OSCE Talk 🎙️
This episode explores Serotonin Syndrome and Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome, discussing the overlapping and contrasting features. We look at the onset, features, symptoms, examination findings, and appropriate investigations to differentiate the two. Finishing this episode with the general management principles for both these conditions alongside specialist medications required. Finally we discuss broad differentials and the importance of toxidromes for these unwell patients! Please subscribe on Spotify for more premium content in the future, £1.99 will help us produce more of these educational videos!Look out for the OSCE Talk website coming soon!🎧 Listen & Follow:🎙️ Spotify → ⁠⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/01yz38z....🍎 Apple Podcasts → ⁠⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast....▶️ YouTube → / @oscetalkpod 📸 Instagram → / oscetalk_ 🎵 TikTok → / oscetalk_ Disclaimer OSCE Talk is an educational resource designed primarily to help healthcare students prepare for clinical examinations. Episodes on the key, exam-relevant and salient points of each topic and are not intended to provide a complete or exhaustive review of clinical management. Content is for educational purposes only and should not be used as a substitute for formal teaching, clinical supervision, local policies or current national guidance. While we aim to keep our content accurate and useful, medical guidance changes over time and episodes may contain omissions or necessary simplifications. Always refer to appropriate guidance when making clinical decisions or caring for patients.
July 16 · 6 min
Sexual Health History Taking, Risk, & Confidentiality | OSCE Talk 🎙️
We focus on Sexual Health History Taking, a common station which presents in a range of Medical School scenarios including Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Urology, and in General Practice. We cover the common presenting complaints including pain, discharge, rash, ulceration. Confidentialty, consent, and safety is discussed and when the Public Health team will need to be involved.Look out for the OSCE Talk website coming soon! We show how to assess risk, this includes screening for drug use, higher risk sexual activities and more. This can feel like an intimidating and awkward topic for many, its important to stay open, use plain language, and support patients! 🎧 Listen & Follow:🎙️ Spotify → ⁠⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/01yz38z....🍎 Apple Podcasts → ⁠⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast....▶️ YouTube → / @oscetalkpod 📸 Instagram → / oscetalk_ 🎵 TikTok → / oscetalk_ Disclaimer OSCE Talk is an educational resource designed primarily to help healthcare students prepare for clinical examinations. Episodes on the key, exam-relevant and salient points of each topic and are not intended to provide a complete or exhaustive review of clinical management. Content is for educational purposes only and should not be used as a substitute for formal teaching, clinical supervision, local policies or current national guidance. While we aim to keep our content accurate and useful, medical guidance changes over time and episodes may contain omissions or necessary simplifications. Always refer to appropriate guidance when making clinical decisions or caring for patients.
July 12 · 9 min
Vaccinations, Misinformation, and Paediatric Counselling | OSCE Talk 🎙️
Please subscribe on Spotify for more premium content in the future, £1.99 will help us produce more of these videos! Peter and Matthew discuss vaccinations in this episode, specifically a clear patient focussed approach to explaining what these are, how they work, and what protection they offer, including concepts of herd immunity and common side effects to vaccines. We cover the issues in the media and vaccine hesitancy, alongside false links to autism with the MMR vaccine and how to discuss this sensitively and to try and provide accurate information to patients and their families. We briefly cover the vaccine schedule for children and what the main vaccines are to highlight in this. Look out for the OSCE Talk website coming soon! 🎧 Listen & Follow: 🎙️ Spotify → ⁠⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/01yz38z.... 🍎 Apple Podcasts → ⁠⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast.... ▶️ YouTube → / @oscetalkpod 📸 Instagram → / oscetalk_ 🎵 TikTok → / oscetalk_ Disclaimer OSCE Talk is an educational resource designed primarily to help healthcare students prepare for clinical examinations. Episodes on the key, exam-relevant and salient points of each topic and are not intended to provide a complete or exhaustive review of clinical management. Content is for educational purposes only and should not be used as a substitute for formal teaching, clinical supervision, local policies or current national guidance. While we aim to keep our content accurate and useful, medical guidance changes over time and episodes may contain omissions or necessary simplifications. Always refer to appropriate guidance when making clinical decisions or caring for patients.
July 7 · 12 min
Counselling on Hepatitis A,B,C. Public Health and Management Options | OSCE Talk 🎙️
Subscribe on Spotify for more premium content in the future, just £1.99 to help us produce more of these videos :) This episode looks at Hepatitis A, B, and C. We look at the most common modes of transmission, how they present, available vaccines, treatment with antiviral medication. Hepatitis is a notifiable disease and we cover the public health impacts of this and what happens when the Public Health Agency is informed. Peter takes us through an example of breaking this news to a patient, explaining the diagnosis, and the next steps to ensure proper open communication. There is still a lot of stigma in this diagnosis so it is important patients feel well supported and have management and follow up clearly explained. Look out for the OSCE Talk website coming soon! 🎧 Listen & Follow: 🎙️ Spotify → ⁠⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/01yz38z.... 🍎 Apple Podcasts → ⁠⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast.... ▶️ YouTube → / @oscetalkpod 📸 Instagram → / oscetalk_ 🎵 TikTok → / oscetalk_ Disclaimer OSCE Talk is an educational resource designed primarily to help healthcare students prepare for clinical examinations. Episodes on the key, exam-relevant and salient points of each topic and are not intended to provide a complete or exhaustive review of clinical management. Content is for educational purposes only and should not be used as a substitute for formal teaching, clinical supervision, local policies or current national guidance. While we aim to keep our content accurate and useful, medical guidance changes over time and episodes may contain omissions or necessary simplifications. Always refer to appropriate guidance when making clinical decisions or caring for patients.
July 1 · 7 min
Intrauterine Devices Made Easy, Copper and Hormonal Coils Explained! | OSCE Talk 🎙️
Subscribe on Spotify for more premium content in the future, just £1.99 to help us produce more of these videos :) This episode we compare and contrast the hormonal and copper coils, which are both a reliable form of long acting reversible contraception, with a focus on keeping this simple, knowing the main risks and benefits with each option, and what features are applicable to both options. Be aware of the increase in menstrual bleeding with the copper coil and that the hormonal coil may improve this, both are extremely reliable which will make them a prime choice for patients. Be aware of how they are inserted in primary or secondary care, and the need for adequate analgesia with this! Overall this episode helps makes counselling straightforward! Look out for the OSCE Talk website coming soon! 🎧 Listen & Follow: 🎙️ Spotify → ⁠⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/01yz38z.... 🍎 Apple Podcasts → ⁠⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast.... ▶️ YouTube → / @oscetalkpod 📸 Instagram → / oscetalk_ 🎵 TikTok → / oscetalk_ Disclaimer OSCE Talk is an educational resource designed primarily to help healthcare students prepare for clinical examinations. Episodes on the key, exam-relevant and salient points of each topic and are not intended to provide a complete or exhaustive review of clinical management. Content is for educational purposes only and should not be used as a substitute for formal teaching, clinical supervision, local policies or current national guidance. While we aim to keep our content accurate and useful, medical guidance changes over time and episodes may contain omissions or necessary simplifications. Always refer to appropriate guidance when making clinical decisions or caring for patients.
June 25 · 11 min
Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) Explained! | OSCE Talk
This episode gives an overview of Hormone Replacement Therapy or HRT. Its replacement of progesterone/oestrogen levels which fall during the menopause. What symptoms it can help to manage. We give practical advice on options from combined, continous, cyclical, tablet and patch options, to help best counsel patients on what will benefit them the most. We cover contra indications and the risk/benefit decision when starting a patient on HRT. Peter completes this episode with a sample explanation and the key aspects to cover in a Medical School Examination. This episode closely links with the podcast on the menopause! 🎧 Listen & Follow:🎙️ Spotify → ⁠⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/01yz38z....🍎 Apple Podcasts → ⁠⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast....▶️ YouTube → / @oscetalkpod 📸 Instagram → / oscetalk_ 🎵 TikTok → / oscetalk_ Disclaimer OSCE Talk is an educational resource designed primarily to help healthcare students prepare for clinical examinations. Episodes on the key, exam-relevant and salient points of each topic and are not intended to provide a complete or exhaustive review of clinical management. Content is for educational purposes only and should not be used as a substitute for formal teaching, clinical supervision, local policies or current national guidance. While we aim to keep our content accurate and useful, medical guidance changes over time and episodes may contain omissions or necessary simplifications. Always refer to appropriate guidance when making clinical decisions or caring for patients.
June 22 · 9 min
Opioid Prescribing & Counselling | OSCE Talk
This episode delves into opioid prescribing, when to use this appropriately in post operative and palliative care settings. Side effects to counsel patients on including nausea/vomiting/constipation/sedation. Toxicity and key features of this. What signs to look out for in patients where you have a concern about addiction or dependence. Alternative anaglesia that may help patients avoid opioid use. This episode also includes a sample explanation for students on how to broach difficult discussions about opioid prescribing. Subscribe to our Spotify for £1.99 a month to help support us and get access to additional content :) 🎧 Listen & Follow:🎙️ Spotify → ⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/01yz38z..⁠.🍎 Apple Podcasts → ⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast..⁠.▶️ YouTube → / @oscetalkpod 📸 Instagram → / oscetalk_ 🎵 TikTok → / oscetalk_ Disclaimer OSCE Talk is an educational resource designed primarily to help healthcare students prepare for clinical examinations. Episodes on the key, exam-relevant and salient points of each topic and are not intended to provide a complete or exhaustive review of clinical management. Content is for educational purposes only and should not be used as a substitute for formal teaching, clinical supervision, local policies or current national guidance. While we aim to keep our content accurate and useful, medical guidance changes over time and episodes may contain omissions or necessary simplifications. Always refer to appropriate guidance when making clinical decisions or caring for patients.
June 18 · 10 min
Menopause History, Counselling & Treatment | OSCE Talk
In this episode we look at how to take a menopausal history, looking at key vasomotor, mood, genitourinary symptoms. We briefly discuss the physiology of the perimenopause and how to easily explain this to patients. We cover management with lifestyle measures, medication like SSRIs and clonidine, and then HRT (Hormone Replacement Therapy) We will post a full episode focusing on HRT counselling alone. 🎧 Listen & Follow:🎙️ Spotify → ⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/01yz38z..⁠.🍎 Apple Podcasts → ⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast..⁠.▶️ YouTube → / @oscetalkpod 📸 Instagram → / oscetalk_ 🎵 TikTok → / oscetalk_ Disclaimer OSCE Talk is an educational resource designed primarily to help healthcare students prepare for clinical examinations. Episodes on the key, exam-relevant and salient points of each topic and are not intended to provide a complete or exhaustive review of clinical management. Content is for educational purposes only and should not be used as a substitute for formal teaching, clinical supervision, local policies or current national guidance. While we aim to keep our content accurate and useful, medical guidance changes over time and episodes may contain omissions or necessary simplifications. Always refer to appropriate guidance when making clinical decisions or caring for patients.
June 8 · 9 min
Prostate Cancer Diagnosis, Screening & PSA Testing | OSCE Talk 🎙️
This episode Peter & Matthew look at Prostate Cancer, specifically focusing on risk factors, diagnosis, and utility of the PSA blood test. Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) is a hot topic in the media, however it is not guaranteed to be raised in prostate cancer, and many other conditions and factors can impact on the level of this in the blood. We also look at the need for onward referral to Urology, MRI and biospy as a definitive diagnosis as well as Gleason Scoring. Finally Peter explains what needs to be included in discussion with a patient requesting for PSA testing. 🎧 Listen & Follow: 🎙️ Spotify → ⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/01yz38z..⁠. 🍎 Apple Podcasts → ⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast..⁠. ▶️ YouTube → / @oscetalkpod 📸 Instagram → / oscetalk_ 🎵 TikTok → / oscetalk_ Disclaimer OSCE Talk is an educational resource designed primarily to help healthcare students prepare for clinical examinations. Episodes on the key, exam-relevant and salient points of each topic and are not intended to provide a complete or exhaustive review of clinical management. Content is for educational purposes only and should not be used as a substitute for formal teaching, clinical supervision, local policies or current national guidance. While we aim to keep our content accurate and useful, medical guidance changes over time and episodes may contain omissions or necessary simplifications. Always refer to appropriate guidance when making clinical decisions or caring for patients.
May 23 · 9 min
Tonsillitis and Otitis Media, Viral VS Bacterial Infections
This episode we look at differentiating viral and bacterial infections, using the feverPAIN score for tonsillitis to rule out viral causes. Otitis media is covered and the importance of identifying red flag, mastoiditis and meningitis. We talk about overuse of antibiotics for viral infections and how to discuss this with patients. The use of delayed prescriptions for safety netting purposes. 🎧 Listen & Follow:🎙️ Spotify → ⁠⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/01yz38z....🍎 Apple Podcasts → ⁠⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast....▶️ YouTube → / @oscetalkpod 📸 Instagram → / oscetalk_ 🎵 TikTok → / oscetalk_ Disclaimer OSCE Talk is an educational resource designed primarily to help healthcare students prepare for clinical examinations. Episodes on the key, exam-relevant and salient points of each topic and are not intended to provide a complete or exhaustive review of clinical management. Content is for educational purposes only and should not be used as a substitute for formal teaching, clinical supervision, local policies or current national guidance. While we aim to keep our content accurate and useful, medical guidance changes over time and episodes may contain omissions or necessary simplifications. Always refer to appropriate guidance when making clinical decisions or caring for patients.
May 13 · 9 min
Meningitis Overview | OSCE Talk
This episode we focus on meningitis in both adult and paediatric populations, we look at the microbiology, common ways this presents, red flag features, important diagnostic tests and interpretation of these. Antibiotic treatment focussed on coverage of listeria and the consideration of steriods in patients. We finish with untreated complications and the need for contact tracing and possible prophylaxis for close contacts. 🎧 Listen & Follow: 🎙️ Spotify → ⁠⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/01yz38z....🍎 Apple Podcasts → ⁠⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast....▶️ YouTube → / @oscetalkpod 📸 Instagram → / oscetalk_ 🎵 TikTok → / oscetalk_ Disclaimer OSCE Talk is an educational resource designed primarily to help healthcare students prepare for clinical examinations. Episodes on the key, exam-relevant and salient points of each topic and are not intended to provide a complete or exhaustive review of clinical management. Content is for educational purposes only and should not be used as a substitute for formal teaching, clinical supervision, local policies or current national guidance. While we aim to keep our content accurate and useful, medical guidance changes over time and episodes may contain omissions or necessary simplifications. Always refer to appropriate guidance when making clinical decisions or caring for patients.
May 4 · 10 min
Tuberculosis: Differentials, Diagnosis, & Management | OSCE Talk
This episode is all about tuberculosis, its diagnosis and management.We look at how to break it down as pulmonary vs extra pulmonary TB, latent vs active TB, and the broad differentials of pneumonia, sarcoid, and malignancy. We go through the workup necessary including a chest xray, CT, sputum samples and other basic investigations. Public health involvement is key for contact tracing and then we look at the medical treatment: RIPE medications and their side effects.Peter demonstrates how to counsel a new diagnosis of TB which you may be asked to do in medical school examinations. 🎧 Listen & Follow:🎙️ Spotify → ⁠⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/01yz38z....🍎 Apple Podcasts → ⁠⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast....▶️ YouTube → / @oscetalkpod 📸 Instagram → / oscetalk_ 🎵 TikTok → / oscetalk_ Disclaimer OSCE Talk is an educational resource designed primarily to help healthcare students prepare for clinical examinations. Episodes on the key, exam-relevant and salient points of each topic and are not intended to provide a complete or exhaustive review of clinical management. Content is for educational purposes only and should not be used as a substitute for formal teaching, clinical supervision, local policies or current national guidance. While we aim to keep our content accurate and useful, medical guidance changes over time and episodes may contain omissions or necessary simplifications. Always refer to appropriate guidance when making clinical decisions or caring for patients.
April 24 · 9 min
Breaking Bad News to Patients in the Medical Setting | OSCE Talk
In this episode we focus on breaking bad news to patients. This often comes in the form of breaking diagnosis to patients such as cancer, MS, epilepsy, or even explaining a mistake made by the medical team to patients. We follow the SPIKES structure and the importance of the warning shot in preparing patients for difficult news. This episode is all about empathy, honesty, being able to communicate in a simple way with no medical jargon, and guiding patients to the next steps when discussing life changing news. 🎧 Listen & Follow:🎙️ Spotify → ⁠⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/01yz38z....🍎 Apple Podcasts → ⁠⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast....▶️ YouTube → / @oscetalkpod 📸 Instagram → / oscetalk_ 🎵 TikTok → / oscetalk_ Disclaimer OSCE Talk is an educational resource designed primarily to help healthcare students prepare for clinical examinations. Episodes on the key, exam-relevant and salient points of each topic and are not intended to provide a complete or exhaustive review of clinical management. Content is for educational purposes only and should not be used as a substitute for formal teaching, clinical supervision, local policies or current national guidance. While we aim to keep our content accurate and useful, medical guidance changes over time and episodes may contain omissions or necessary simplifications. Always refer to appropriate guidance when making clinical decisions or caring for patients.
April 18 · 5 min
Levodopa Explained | Parkinson’s Treatment, Side Effects & OSCE Counselling
In this episode of OSCE Talk, we focus on one of the most important medications in neurology — levodopa, the cornerstone of treatment in Parkinson’s disease. We break down how levodopa works, how it should be prescribed, and—most importantly—how to explain and counsel it clearly in an OSCE or real clinical setting. We start by explaining the mechanism of action, including how levodopa crosses the blood-brain barrier and is converted into dopamine, helping to improve the classic motor symptoms of Parkinson’s such as bradykinesia, rigidity, and tremor. We also cover why levodopa is given alongside carbidopa to reduce peripheral side effects and improve its effectiveness. From there, we discuss the key practical prescribing points that are essential for both exams and the wards. This includes the fact that levodopa is a time-critical medication, taken multiple times per day due to its short half-life, and why missing doses can lead to a rapid deterioration in symptoms such as freezing and rigidity—particularly important in hospital patients who are nil by mouth. We then move on to side effects and long-term complications, including: Nausea, dizziness, and postural hypotension The “on-off” phenomenon, where symptom control fluctuates throughout the day Dyskinesias (involuntary movements) with long-term use Neuropsychiatric effects such as confusion, hallucinations, and impulse control issues We also highlight key clinical safety points, including why levodopa should never be stopped abruptly, and situations where caution is needed—such as in patients with glaucoma or pre-existing cognitive or psychiatric symptoms. A major focus of this episode is learning how to structure a clear, safe explanation in an OSCE, using the ATHLETIC framework (Action, Timing, How to take, Length, Effects, Tests, Interactions, Contraindications). This gives you a reliable way to cover all the important counselling points while still sounding natural and patient-friendly. Disclaimer OSCE Talk is an educational resource designed primarily to help healthcare students prepare for clinical examinations. Episodes on the key, exam-relevant and salient points of each topic and are not intended to provide a complete or exhaustive review of clinical management. Content is for educational purposes only and should not be used as a substitute for formal teaching, clinical supervision, local policies or current national guidance. While we aim to keep our content accurate and useful, medical guidance changes over time and episodes may contain omissions or necessary simplifications. Always refer to appropriate guidance when making clinical decisions or caring for patients.

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