Continuing from my last post, below is the list of high yield topics for counselling stations in NZREX:
1. Pre-eclamsia
2. PCOS
3. Lifestyle management (Diabetic and non diabetic)
4. Contraseption
5. AAA
6. Duodenal/gastric ulcer
7. Salmonella infection
8. Colon ca
9. Termination of pregnancy
10. Breast ca
11. Asthma
12. COPD
13. Gout
14. STI
15. Anxiety
16. Otitis media + Grommet
17. ADHD + Autistic spectrum disorder
18. Neonatal jaundice
19. Diabetes management/investigation
20. Male infertility
21. Down syndrome
22. Croup
23. Rashes in children
24. Smoking cessation
25. Drugs abuse
26. Nephrotic syndrome
27. PSGN
28. Alcohol withdrawn
29. Hypertension
30. Hypercalcemia
31. OCD
32. Pneumonia
How to prepare for counceling stations:
Counselling station test your communication skills, and your ability to deal with difficult questions or situations. Be prepared to answer any questions from the patients related to the station. However, some patients might not ask you anything. When this happens, explain everything that need to be explained according to the stations as if in real life.
In general, you will be expected to explain the diagnosis to the patients. Diagnosis might be stated in the question paper, but most of the time you need to conclude the diagnosis from the history given or from the investigation results. If you are not sure about the diagnosis, take short history, or mention that you need to do more investigations to confirm the diagnosis.
You will be expected to address patients' concern, this is why it is important to ask if the patients have any questions or concerns. Look for verbal and non verbal clues. Get ready to handle resistance from patients, or denial. In some cases patients might be angry or crying. If this happens, do not panic, acknowledge patients emotion and react accordingly. Calm patient down by giving reassurance or explanation.
Prepare the management plans and know how to explain about investigations and treatments. Avoid using medical terminology, if there is no other option, give short explanation about the terminology that you use, for example: if you mention cervix, then follow with explaining that it is the lower end of the womb.
Know about most common side effects of drugs and complication of procedures or the illness itself. Offer reading materials and supports. Mention about red flag signs or when to seek medical help. Arrange follow up appointment if needed.
The proportion of integrated stations in the exam is increasing, so prepare to take focus history, do physical examination, consul the patient about your diagnosis and explain about management plan, all in one station.
I hope that this post will be helpful for those who are preparing for the exam. Please comment below if you find it useful and would like me to post more articles about NZREX preparation. Also read my list of history taking stations on previous post.
1. Pre-eclamsia
2. PCOS
3. Lifestyle management (Diabetic and non diabetic)
4. Contraseption
5. AAA
6. Duodenal/gastric ulcer
7. Salmonella infection
8. Colon ca
9. Termination of pregnancy
10. Breast ca
11. Asthma
12. COPD
13. Gout
14. STI
15. Anxiety
16. Otitis media + Grommet
17. ADHD + Autistic spectrum disorder
18. Neonatal jaundice
19. Diabetes management/investigation
20. Male infertility
21. Down syndrome
22. Croup
23. Rashes in children
24. Smoking cessation
25. Drugs abuse
26. Nephrotic syndrome
27. PSGN
28. Alcohol withdrawn
29. Hypertension
30. Hypercalcemia
31. OCD
32. Pneumonia
How to prepare for counceling stations:
Counselling station test your communication skills, and your ability to deal with difficult questions or situations. Be prepared to answer any questions from the patients related to the station. However, some patients might not ask you anything. When this happens, explain everything that need to be explained according to the stations as if in real life.
In general, you will be expected to explain the diagnosis to the patients. Diagnosis might be stated in the question paper, but most of the time you need to conclude the diagnosis from the history given or from the investigation results. If you are not sure about the diagnosis, take short history, or mention that you need to do more investigations to confirm the diagnosis.
You will be expected to address patients' concern, this is why it is important to ask if the patients have any questions or concerns. Look for verbal and non verbal clues. Get ready to handle resistance from patients, or denial. In some cases patients might be angry or crying. If this happens, do not panic, acknowledge patients emotion and react accordingly. Calm patient down by giving reassurance or explanation.
Prepare the management plans and know how to explain about investigations and treatments. Avoid using medical terminology, if there is no other option, give short explanation about the terminology that you use, for example: if you mention cervix, then follow with explaining that it is the lower end of the womb.
Know about most common side effects of drugs and complication of procedures or the illness itself. Offer reading materials and supports. Mention about red flag signs or when to seek medical help. Arrange follow up appointment if needed.
The proportion of integrated stations in the exam is increasing, so prepare to take focus history, do physical examination, consul the patient about your diagnosis and explain about management plan, all in one station.
I hope that this post will be helpful for those who are preparing for the exam. Please comment below if you find it useful and would like me to post more articles about NZREX preparation. Also read my list of history taking stations on previous post.
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