The aim of Plab Part 2 is to make sure you are a safe doctor and to check how professional you are. It requires the right method of preparation, attending a good course and practice. They test your history taking skills, counselling skills examination skills and your skills to perform various procedures
The aim of Plab Part 2 is to make sure you are a safe doctor and to check how professional you are. It requires the right method of preparation, attending a good course and practice. They test your history taking skills, counselling skills examination skills and your skills to perform various procedures.
The Night Before The Exam –
1. Please make sure you close your books by 8pm.
2. Have a good meal
3. Relax for a while
4. Have a good night’s sleep
It is important to go for your exam with a fresh mind. This exam is like a one day cricket match (You may know the game but your performance in that 5minutes matters).
On the Morning of the Exam –
1. Make sure you reach the examination centre 1hr before the exam atleast to be on a safer side.
2. Have a good breakfast
3. Don’t forget to take your passport, IELTS, Degree certificate and Good standing certificate (if you have it).
Once you reach the GMC building – you are directed to the floor where the exam is held and your documents are checked. You are then given an ID and a locker to keep your belongings and shown the video which is on the GMC website.
Try and Relax !
The Exam
You are given 1minute to read the question and 5min to perform the task with a 30sec warning bell.
1st Station
My first station was a 40 yr old bricklayer who is complaining of chest pain for the last 45min and has been brought to the A&E. You are the A&E SHO. Take a History from the patient and discuss the DD to the Examiner
Pretty straight forward…. Took a full history after making sure that the patient was comfortable and not in pain. He described the pain in the left chest radiating to the left arm, shoulder and jaw. He gave a history of having similar episodes in the past, which was aggravated while working. He had a positive smoking history and his father had died because of a heart problem. After taking a complete history I gave my differentials to the examiner – the most obvious diagnosis being MI.
2nd Station
This was a Mannequin station – Urethral catheterisation. I was already gloved. The procedure had been explained to the patient and consent taken.
I entered the station, introduced myself to the examiner and then told the examiner that I would double check the patient’s identity, make sure a chaperone is present, checked the instruments etc.
And completed the procedure…finished by 4min 30 sec bell.
3rd Station
This was about talking to a patient who was being discharged after being treated for Asthma. Talk to him about his medications.
Entered the station and after introducing myself to the examiner and the patient – checked the medications present on the table. Then talked to the patient, created a rapport and discussed about Ventolin inhaler, Steroid inhaler, Prednisolone tablets. Also asked the patient to maintain his PEFR chart. Very friendly patient.
4th Station
A mum is on the telephone worried about her daughter who has diarrhoea. Talk to her.
After introducing myself to the examiner, there is a telephone kept with a screen. Behind the screen a patient was sitting with a telephone. So I just had to pick up the receiver, wait for a beep and then talk… Took a complete history. She mentioned that the child had a previous episode 6months back and she was admitted then and was given fluids via a drip.
After taking the complete history, I asked the mum to bring the child to the hospital as soon as possible. Finished at 4 min 30 sec bell
5th Station
This was a Mannequin station - Examine the ear and do Rinne and Weber’s test. – Otoscopy
It was a normal ear…keep talking about what you see as you do the procedure. Then demonstrated the Rinne and Weber’s test to the examiner.
Finished by 4 min….. had 1min to relax
6th Station
Paediatric CPR. You are on rounds in the ward and a child in the nearby cubicle has collapsed.
I did the whole CPR. After I finished 1 cycle…. The examiner asked me to sit down and just chatted. Very friendly examiner…. Had 2min rest here.
7th Station
Rest Station….. Had a nice long break and sip of water.
8th Station
Talk to the wife of a patient who has been diagnosed with Mesothelioma and has been given 6months to live.
This is a breaking bad news station. After initial introductions, gradually broke the bad news to the patient and answered her queries, She wanted to know – will he be in pain, how long more, how did he get it etc
9th Station
A young girl had taken 20 OC pills and cut her wrist. Talk to her.
After initial introductions, talked to the patient – asked her how she felt, she was worried she might be pregnant that’s why she had done this. She didn’t want her mum to know. Assessed suicidal risk and offered to do a pregnancy test to put her mind at ease. It is very important you maintain a rapport with the patient in patients with self harm and depression.
10th Station
A patient had a whiplash injury, treated and is fine. He appears to be depressed. Talk to him.
Talked to the patient – he was depressed since losing his job, Assessed his suicidal risk, talked to him about his concerns and advised admission since suicidal risk was positive.
11th Station
Examination of the Spine
This is basically doing the whole examination – Inspection, Palpation, Measurements, Various tests and Reflexes and Gait.
Finished right on time. Give your findings as you do each tests.
12th Station
Examination of an Unconscious patient. Secondary survey has been done and the findings are what can be seen. Do a GCS and full Neurological examination.
I went kind of blank here. I did a GCS examination and neurological examination as much as I could do….I missed the findings of the secondary survey….. Just don’t know what went wrong here. Anyways decided to forget about it and carry on.
13th Station
A 20-year-old student complains of fever for 5 days. Take a full history and give DD to examiner
She gave history of fever since 5 days, generalised myalgia, history of travel to Kenya, did not take prophylaxis properly. Then completed taking the full history and gave differentials to examiner – the most obvious being Malaria.
14th Station
A patient has decided to undergo Laproscopic sterilization. Talk to her about the procedure.
Quite straightforward…… asked her initially about how many kids she had, age of her last child, whether she had discussed it with her partner.
Then explained the whole procedure, complications, and addressed her concerns.
15th Station
A lady needs Blood transfusion because of severe anaemia. Talk to her about complications and side- effects.
She was worried about the transfusion, explained to her about what will be done and addressed her questions . She wanted to know if she could go home the same day, walk, eat and drink during transfusion, complications.
16th Station
Bimanual examination
This is a mannequin station. After introduction, told the examiner that I would check the patient’s identity, explain procedure, take consent, get a chaperone – did the examination. Gave my findings as I was doing the examination.
The exam was over …. Relief with apprehension. I was worried about the examination of a unconscious patient as I completely blanked there. But thank God by God’s grace I passed.
Advice –
1. Practice with a friend always trying to complete the station in 4min 30 sec
2. Always in examination and mannequin stations talk as you do the station so that they know your findings just in case you cant complete the station.
3. If you don’t know the answer to any of your patient’s questions – please don’t hesitate to say I am sorry I am not sure but I will check with my Senior and let you know – Remember they don’t expect you to know everything…. They want to make sure you are a safe doctor.
4. Look confident…… it gives a good impression
Wish all the future Plabbers the very best !!!
Note: If you are benefitted by this article, then do not forget to submit your exam experience as well.
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