OSCE Talk

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In this episode of Osce Talk, we break down hypothyroidism and how to counsel a patient starting levothyroxine, with a clear focus on OSCEs and clinical exams.

We cover:

• What hypothyroidism is and why it occurs

• Common symptoms and how it presents in exams

• How to explain levothyroxine in clear, patient-friendly language

• Dosing, side effects, monitoring, and pregnancy considerations

• High-yield counselling points examiners expect

This episode is ideal for medical students, OSCE preparation, and clinical exam revision.

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. 

In this episode of OSCE Talk, we discuss Addisons disease, and the use of steroids as long term treatment.We cover the general presentation and mechanism of Addisons disease, and the risk of addisonian crisis.We focus on steroids their side effects, both short and long term, and the importance of doubling these whilst unwell. This episode is ideal for medical students, OSCE preparation, and foundation doctors who want a simple, structured approach to counselling.🎧 Listen now and build confidence for OSCE stations and real patient conversations.

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. 

In this episode of OSCE Talk, we break down how to counsel a patient on osteoporosis and its management with bisphosphonates.This includes risk factors for osteoporosis.The FRAX risk scoring system and interpreting DEXA scan results.Basic management and lifestyle changes to improve bone health.What bisphosphonates are eg: alendronic acid.Common side effects, rare risks, and safety-netting.This episode is ideal for medical students, OSCE preparation, and foundation doctors who want a simple, structured approach to counselling.🎧 Listen now and build confidence for OSCE stations and real patient conversations.

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. 

In this episode of OSCE Talk, we break down how to counsel a patient with high cholesterol, focusing on statins, QRISK, and clear patient-friendly explanations for OSCEs and clinical practice.

We cover:

• What cholesterol is and why it matters

• How to explain QRISK and cardiovascular risk to patients

• When to start statins and why lifestyle changes alone may not be enough

• How statins work (in simple terms patients understand)

• Common side effects, rare risks, and safety-netting

• Addressing patient concerns and misinformation about statins

This episode is ideal for medical students, OSCE preparation, and foundation doctors who want a simple, structured approach to statin counselling.

🎧 Listen now and build confidence for OSCE stations and real patient conversations.

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. 

🎧 Subscribe to OSCE Talk Premium here 👇
https://members.spotify.com/to/osce-talk

In this episode of OSCE Talk, we walk through how to counsel a patient on asthma, using clear, patient-friendly explanations that score marks in OSCEs.

We cover:

• How to explain asthma simply (reversible airway disease)

• Common triggers and why symptoms fluctuate

• Holistic management including lifestyle and vaccinations

• Preventer vs reliever inhalers and when control is poor

• Step-by-step inhaler technique, including spacers

• Red flags and when to attend A&E

• Key OSCE tips and guideline updates (including MART regimens)

This episode is ideal for medical students and foundation doctors preparing for OSCE stations involving asthma counselling, inhaler technique, or respiratory education.

🎧 Listen alongside our Asthma History Taking episode for full exam preparation.

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. 

In this episode of OSCE Talk, we walk through how to counsel a patient diagnosed with heart failure, a common and high-yield OSCE and clinical scenario.

Using a realistic doctor–patient role-play, we cover:

• How to explain heart failure in clear, patient-friendly language

• Linking symptoms such as breathlessness, orthopnoea, and oedema to the underlying condition

• Common causes of heart failure, including myocardial infarction

• Lifestyle advice, including fluid restriction, salt intake, smoking, and alcohol

• An overview of management, including medications, diuretics, and specialist follow-up

• Addressing patient concerns, prognosis, and safety-netting

This episode is designed to help medical students and junior doctors feel confident counselling patients with heart failure in both OSCEs and real clinical practice.

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. 

In this episode of Osce Talk, we cover how to take a focused first seizure history and how to explain a seizure to patients in clear, patient-friendly language.

We walk through:

• How to structure a first seizure history (before, during, after)

• Key red flags you must not miss in OSCEs

• How to explain what a seizure is (and why it’s not always epilepsy)

• Immediate seizure first aid advice for patients and families

• Driving advice and DVLA rules you need to mention

• When to refer for neurology follow-up, EEG, and imaging

This episode is ideal for:

• Medical students preparing for OSCEs

• Foundation doctors in A&E or GP

• Anyone needing a clear framework for first seizure counselling

🎧 Listen alongside our Epilepsy History episode for a complete approach.

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 appropiate guidance when making clinical decisions or caring for patients. 

In this episode of OSCE Talk, we cover how to counsel a patient with migraine — a common OSCE and clinical scenario.

We walk through:

• How migraine typically presents (with and without aura)

• Common triggers and red flags you must not miss

• How to explain migraine in clear, patient-friendly language

• Step-by-step management: lifestyle advice, acute treatments, and prevention

• When to escalate, safety-net, and refer

This episode builds on our headache history episode and focuses specifically on clear, structured counselling, helping you feel confident explaining migraine to patients in OSCEs and real-life practice.

• Migraine is usually a unilateral, throbbing headache that can be severe and disabling

• Migraine may occur with or without aura (visual, sensory, or nausea symptoms)

• Common triggers include alcohol, chocolate, caffeine, stress, and poor sleep

• Migraine with aura is a contraindication to the combined oral contraceptive pill

• Conservative management focuses on trigger avoidance and lifestyle modification

• First-line treatment includes simple analgesia (paracetamol, NSAIDs)

• Triptans (e.g. sumatriptan) can be used for acute attacks

• Preventative options may include beta-blockers or specialist therapies

• Always safety-net worsening headaches, neurological symptoms, fever, or sudden onset

  
  

  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 appropiate guidance when making clinical decisions or caring for patients. 

In this episode of OSCE Talk, Peter and Matthew talk through how to counsel a patient with eczema and psoriasis, with a strong focus on clear, patient-friendly explanations and practical management advice.

We start by breaking down eczema as a chronic atopic condition, explaining the skin-barrier problem in simple terms that patients can understand. We discuss common triggers, the relapsing–remitting nature of eczema, and how it often sits alongside asthma and hay fever as part of the atopic triad.

The episode then moves into practical counselling, covering the core principles of management — emollients and topical steroids — including how to reassure patients about steroid use, how to explain potency, and how to encourage long-term prevention rather than repeated flares.

We also highlight the mental health impact of chronic skin conditions, the importance of screening for infection during flares, and when to escalate care or refer to dermatology for specialist treatments.

This episode is ideal for OSCE counselling stations, medical students, and foundation doctors looking to improve confidence in explaining dermatological conditions in a structured, empathetic way.

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 appropiate guidance when making clinical decisions or caring for patients. 

🎙️ How to Counsel a Patient on Warfarin | OSCE Talk

In this episode of OSCE Talk, Peter and Matthew walk through how to counsel a patient on Warfarin, focusing on the key differences compared with DOACs such as Apixaban.

We cover when Warfarin is indicated, including mechanical heart valves, rheumatic heart disease, and antiphospholipid syndrome, before breaking down INR monitoring, dose adjustment, and practical safety advice that frequently comes up in OSCEs.

The episode emphasises a structured counselling approach, highlighting bleeding risks, drug and food interactions, pregnancy advice, and when patients should seek urgent medical attention. We also discuss reversal with vitamin K and prothrombin complex concentrate (PCC) and outline how Warfarin counselling fits into the wider anticoagulation framework.

This episode is ideal for OSCE medication counselling stations, foundation doctors, and anyone needing a clear, practical refresher on Warfarin.

• Warfarin is a vitamin K antagonist used for anticoagulation

• Common indications include mechanical heart valves, rheumatic heart disease, AF, VTE, and antiphospholipid syndrome

• Unlike DOACs, Warfarin requires regular INR monitoring

• INR targets vary depending on indication and patient risk

• Doses are adjusted frequently using different tablet strengths

• Patients should carry a Warfarin (yellow) booklet

• Major risks include bleeding, especially GI bleeding and intracranial haemorrhage

• Warfarin interacts with many medications and foods (e.g. antibiotics, NSAIDs, St John’s wort, green leafy vegetables)

• Alcohol and cranberry juice can affect INR

• Warfarin is contraindicated in pregnancy

• Reversal involves vitamin K and PCC in severe bleeding

  
  

  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 appropiate guidance when making clinical decisions or caring for patients.