In this episode of OSCE Talk, we focus on one of the most important — and often underestimated — OSCE skills: patient counselling and communication.

We break down a simple, repeatable structure for counselling patients about new diagnoses and medications, helping you explain conditions clearly, confidently, and without jargon. The episode covers how to assess a patient’s prior knowledge, address concerns, link symptoms to the underlying condition, and check understanding throughout the consultation.

You’ll also learn how to stay flexible during patient interactions, adapt your explanations when patients interrupt or ask unexpected questions, and maintain confidence even when the condition is unfamiliar.

This episode is essential for OSCE stations involving explaining a diagnosis, starting a medication, or discussing management plans.

• A clear structure for patient counselling stations

• How to introduce yourself and set the agenda confidently

• How to assess a patient’s prior knowledge

• Techniques for explaining conditions without medical jargon

• How to address common patient concerns about medications

• The “Normally, we can probably manage” explanation structure

• How to link disease mechanisms back to patient symptoms

• When and how to adapt your explanation mid-consultation

• How to check understanding and encourage questions

• How to remain calm and professional in OSCE scenarios