Book contents
- Frontmatter
- Contents
- Abbreviations
- Preface
- Introduction
- Part 1 Core skills
- 1 Core communication skills
- 2 Verbal communication skills
- 3 Taking control
- 4 Structured presentations
- 5 Physical examination, investigations and cognitive assessment
- Part 2 Planning your preparation
- Part 3 Putting skills into practice – mock stations
- Resources
- Appendix
- Index
3 - Taking control
from Part 1 - Core skills
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 01 January 2018
- Frontmatter
- Contents
- Abbreviations
- Preface
- Introduction
- Part 1 Core skills
- 1 Core communication skills
- 2 Verbal communication skills
- 3 Taking control
- 4 Structured presentations
- 5 Physical examination, investigations and cognitive assessment
- Part 2 Planning your preparation
- Part 3 Putting skills into practice – mock stations
- Resources
- Appendix
- Index
Summary
In this chapter we will look at specific aspects of the CASC scenario and how different techniques can help you to take control and manage what we believe to be the most difficult aspect of the exam – that you need to perform a specific task in a very limited time period, far shorter than you would in a real-life scenario. This is one of the most frequent criticisms of the exam in that it is not totally reflective of real life. We would argue that although this is certainly the case, the situation does push you to use your communication and cognitive skills to their very best, showing the examiner what you are capable of doing under pressure and with skilled preparation. We hope that the techniques we describe here will help you to do this.
How long is 7 min?
This might sound like an odd question but in terms of preparing for the CASC, getting a sense of how long 7 min and 10 min are is very important. Station instructions give you specific tasks to complete and you need to make sure that you are able to complete all of these tasks in the time you are given. As part of your exam preparation, try repeatedly setting the timer on your telephone/watch to 7 min and start getting used to how long 7 min really is. You should do the same for 10 min (the time you have for a paired station). You can do this while you are engaged in various activities – such as reading, washing up, having a conversation – as well as while practising stations. This may sound very obvious but it is definitely worth doing. It will truly give you a sense of how long 7 min and 10 min really are, how long they feel in different situations and what you can get done in that time. You might be surprised!
The following techniques are designed for you to get the most out of the short time that you have in the exam scenario. They are best practised within the context of a mock station, as it is the real pressure of the clock ticking that will motivate you to use them (also, announcing that you only have a minute to go while assessing someone in A&E could seem a little out of place).
- Type
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- Information
- Core Skills for the CASC , pp. 19 - 26Publisher: Royal College of PsychiatristsPrint publication year: 2016