In this episode of OSCE Talk, Matthew and Peter dive into one of the most important skills in medicine — taking a great patient history.

We explore how to make strong first impressions, communicate effectively, and structure your consultations using proven frameworks like SOCRATES, OPERA and ICE. From open-ended questioning to summarising and showing empathy, this episode is packed with practical tips to help you shine in your OSCEs and real-world clinical practice.

Key Takeaways

• First impressions are crucial — greet patients with confidence and warmth.

• Always seek informed consent before beginning.

• Encourage patients to share their concerns fully.

• Use open-ended questions to guide the conversation naturally.

• Frameworks like SOCRATES and ICE help structure your approach.

• Summarising reinforces understanding and builds trust.

• Don’t forget social history — it’s vital for holistic care.

• Check medication compliance and show genuine empathy throughout.

  
  

00:00 – The Importance of First Impressions
05:00 – Understanding Patient Concerns
10:20 – Frameworks for Effective History Taking
13:14 – Summarising and Closing the Consultation

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