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OSCE Pitfalls-30 Mistakes to Avoid
OSCE Pitfalls-30 Mistakes to Avoid : 10 More OSCE Mistakes That Could Cost You (2 of 3)
11. Not Practising Manikin Skills
The Mistake : Struggling with equipment.
Why It Matters : Looks unsafe and unprepared.
How to Avoid It :
- Practise venepuncture, catheterisation, IV cannulation.
- Learn to explain as you demonstrate.
Example : Candidate fumbles with nebuliser mask, wasting 3 minutes, while examiner notes lack of preparation. Better: practise until familiar, then calmly demonstrate inhaler use with explanation.
12. Weak Psychiatric Stations
The Mistake : Unsure how to assess suicide risk or handle psychiatric history.
Why It Matters : Mental health is a core competency.
How to Avoid It :
- Practise suicide risk assessment (intent, plan, means, support).
- Use empathy instead of checklist tone.
Example : Candidate skips suicide risk assessment. Examiner marks ‘unsafe.’ Better: ‘Have you had thoughts of ending your life? Have you made a plan?’
13. Poor Knowledge of Emergencies
The Mistake : Not knowing protocols for anaphylaxis, MI, etc.
Why It Matters : Safety is non-negotiable.
How to Avoid It :
- Revise ABCDE.
- Memorize key emergency drug doses.
Example : Candidate faced with anaphylaxis case doesn’t mention adrenaline. Examiner marks fail. Better: immediately state intramuscular adrenaline and airway support.
14. Over-rehearsed Introductions
The Mistake : Robotic greetings every time.
Why It Matters : Looks fake and rehearsed.
How to Avoid It :
- Adapt to patient’s context.
- Be conversational.
Example : Candidate repeats identical intro line in all stations. Better: personalize: ‘Hello Mr. Ali, I’m Dr. Singh. I understand you’ve been having headaches, let’s talk about that.’
15. Pretending to Do Actions
The Mistake : Faking curtain-drawing, giving drugs not available.
Why It Matters : Looks artificial and unsafe.
How to Avoid It :
- Only verbalise if essential.
- Perform genuine actions with equipment provided.
Example : Candidate says, ‘I’ll inject morphine now’ without any syringe present. Examiner marks unrealistic. Better: state, ‘At this point, I would administer morphine if available.’
16. Offering Chaperones Unnecessarily
The Mistake : Automatically offering for non-intimate exams.
Why It Matters : Wastes time and seems odd.
How to Avoid It :
- Only offer for genital, breast, or rectal exams.
Example : Candidate offers chaperone in knee exam. Patient looks confused. Examiner notes awkwardness. Better: proceed professionally unless exam is intimate.
17. Handing Out Tissues Too Early
The Mistake : Giving tissues before patient shows distress.
Why It Matters : Looks scripted.
How to Avoid It :
- Offer only if visible distress.
- Pair with empathetic words.
Example : Candidate gives tissue before breaking bad news. Patient wasn’t upset. Examiner notes robotic. Better: wait until patient shows tears and gently offer tissue.
18. Lack of Empathy
The Mistake : Ignoring patient emotions.
Why It Matters : Empathy is a pass/fail criterion.
How to Avoid It :
- Use empathetic phrases.
- Match tone with body language.
Example : Patient expresses cancer fears, candidate ignores and asks about bowel habits. Better: ‘I understand why you’re worried. We’ll look into this carefully together.’
19. Poor Body Language
The Mistake : Fidgeting, invading personal space.
Why It Matters : Makes patients uncomfortable.
How to Avoid It :
- Sit calmly at arm’s length.
- Mirror patient’s cues.
Example : Candidate leans in too close; patient shifts back. Examiner notes ‘invading space.’ Better: maintain open posture at a respectful distance.
20. Overusing 'Ideally'
The Mistake : Saying ‘Ideally I’d do X’ instead of doing it.
Why It Matters : Marks are awarded for actions performed, not hypotheticals.
How to Avoid It :
- Follow station instructions directly.
- Act on tasks instead of theorizing.
Example : Candidate says, ‘Ideally I would check your vitals,’ but doesn’t. Examiner marks incomplete. Better: actually check vitals using provided equipment.