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Type 1 diabetes counselling can cover a lot, so having a clear structure makes the station much easier. In this episode, we talk through how to explain type 1 diabetes clearly and safely to a patient, including: • What type 1 diabetes is and why insulin is needed• Common symptoms at diagnosis• Insulin treatment and blood glucose monitoring• Recognising and treating hypoglycaemia• Sick day rules and diabetic ketoacidosis• Long-term complications and routine monitoring• Exercise, alcohol, driving, work and everyday life• How to reassure and safety-net the patient without overwhelming them A useful approach is to explain what normally happens with glucose and insulin first, then describe what changes in type 1 diabetes before moving on to treatment and safety-netting. 🎧 Full episode available on OSCE Talk📚 More revision resources on the OSCE Talk website Disclaimer OSCE Talk is an educational resource designed primarily to help healthcare students prepare for clinical examinations and medical school applicants prepare for interviews. Episodes focus on key, exam-relevant and salient points 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.

Chest pain is one of those presentations where having a clear structure really matters. In this episode, we work through how to assess and initially manage a patient with suspected acute coronary syndrome (ACS) using an A–E approach — including: Recognising pulmonary oedema and when oxygen is needed ECG changes, troponins and ACS bloods Initial treatment including aspirin, GTN and analgesia STEMI vs NSTEMI vs unstable angina When to escalate urgently to cardiology Important alternative causes of chest pain not to miss The key principle: treat problems as you find them, reassess after every intervention, and call for help early if the patient is deteriorating.

Visit oscetalk.com for more written educational resources! Subscribe on Spotify to support us! Today we review arterial blood gas analysis. We take it step by step looking at CO2/O2, pH, bicarbonate and acid base balance overall. We look at the causes of respiratory and metabolic acidosis/alkalosis and how these patients can present. This can feel like a complex topic so we go through some worked examples to give some interpretation practice. We finish with real world applications and how this will be needed in everyday life as a Doctor. 🎧 Listen & Follow: 🎙️ Spotify → ⁠⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/01yz38z.... Website → https://www.oscetalk.com/ 🍎 Apple Podcasts → ⁠⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast.... ▶️ YouTube → / @oscetalkpod 📸 Instagram → / oscetalk_ 🎵 TikTok → / oscetalk_ 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.

Please subscribe on Spotify for more premium content in the future, £1.99 will help us produce more of these videos! Today we discuss history taking and investigation of confusion, including acute confusion, alongside gradual loss of memory and function at home. We consider differentials of delirium, dementia, and other organic causes such as stroke, tumour, trauma. Medications are a key cause in many patients. Investigations may be required such as bloods, imaging, or even more invasive testing. We discuss the 4AT and MMSE in identifying delirium and dementia. Look out for the OSCE Talk website coming soon! 🎧 Listen & Follow: 🎙️ Spotify → ⁠⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/01yz38z.... 🍎 Apple Podcasts → ⁠⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast.... ▶️ YouTube → / @oscetalkpod 📸 Instagram → / oscetalk_ 🎵 TikTok → / oscetalk_ 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.

Please subscribe on Spotify for more premium content in the future, £1.99 will help us produce more of these videos! Peter and Matthew discuss vaccinations in this episode, specifically a clear patient focussed approach to explaining what these are, how they work, and what protection they offer, including concepts of herd immunity and common side effects to vaccines. We cover the issues in the media and vaccine hesitancy, alongside false links to autism with the MMR vaccine and how to discuss this sensitively and to try and provide accurate information to patients and their families. We briefly cover the vaccine schedule for children and what the main vaccines are to highlight in this. Look out for the OSCE Talk website coming soon! 🎧 Listen & Follow: 🎙️ Spotify → ⁠⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/01yz38z.... 🍎 Apple Podcasts → ⁠⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast.... ▶️ YouTube → / @oscetalkpod 📸 Instagram → / oscetalk_ 🎵 TikTok → / oscetalk_ 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.

This episode gives an overview of Hormone Replacement Therapy or HRT. Its replacement of progesterone/oestrogen levels which fall during the menopause. What symptoms it can help to manage. We give practical advice on options from combined, continous, cyclical, tablet and patch options, to help best counsel patients on what will benefit them the most. We cover contra indications and the risk/benefit decision when starting a patient on HRT. Peter completes this episode with a sample explanation and the key aspects to cover in a Medical School Examination. This episode closely links with the podcast on the menopause! 🎧 Listen & Follow:🎙️ Spotify → ⁠⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/01yz38z....🍎 Apple Podcasts → ⁠⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast....▶️ YouTube → / @oscetalkpod 📸 Instagram → / oscetalk_ 🎵 TikTok → / oscetalk_ 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.

This episode Peter & Matthew look at Prostate Cancer, specifically focusing on risk factors, diagnosis, and utility of the PSA blood test. Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) is a hot topic in the media, however it is not guaranteed to be raised in prostate cancer, and many other conditions and factors can impact on the level of this in the blood. We also look at the need for onward referral to Urology, MRI and biospy as a definitive diagnosis as well as Gleason Scoring. Finally Peter explains what needs to be included in discussion with a patient requesting for PSA testing. 🎧 Listen & Follow: 🎙️ Spotify → ⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/01yz38z..⁠. 🍎 Apple Podcasts → ⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast..⁠. ▶️ YouTube → / @oscetalkpod 📸 Instagram → / oscetalk_ 🎵 TikTok → / oscetalk_ 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.

This episode we focus on meningitis in both adult and paediatric populations, we look at the microbiology, common ways this presents, red flag features, important diagnostic tests and interpretation of these. Antibiotic treatment focussed on coverage of listeria and the consideration of steriods in patients. We finish with untreated complications and the need for contact tracing and possible prophylaxis for close contacts. 🎧 Listen & Follow: 🎙️ Spotify → ⁠⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/01yz38z....🍎 Apple Podcasts → ⁠⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast....▶️ YouTube → / @oscetalkpod 📸 Instagram → / oscetalk_ 🎵 TikTok → / oscetalk_ 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 Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) in a clear, structured, and clinically relevant way. We cover what CKD actually is, how to recognise it, and—most importantly—how to approach it safely as a medical student or junior doctor. We start with the definition of CKD and why it matters, before working through the most common causes, including diabetes, hypertension, and nephrotoxic medications. We then explain the underlying pathophysiology, including nephron loss, hyperfiltration, and why proteinuria develops—linking this directly to key treatments like ACE inhibitors and SGLT2 inhibitors. We also cover how CKD presents in real life, from asymptomatic early disease picked up on routine bloods, to advanced uraemia, fluid overload, and complications like anaemia and bone disease. From there, we go through a practical and safe approach to: Investigations (eGFR, ACR, bloods, imaging)Staging (GFR + albuminuria)Management (blood pressure control, diabetes optimisation, medication choices)Complication management (anaemia, bone disease, electrolyte imbalance)We also touch on end-stage kidney disease, including dialysis (haemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis) and renal transplant. Finally, we finish with a clear, structured approach to explaining CKD to a patient in an OSCE, using a simple framework you can apply in exams and 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.

This episode focusses on hyperkalaemia and its emergency management.We work through the common causes of hyperkalaemia including renal disease, medications, DKA, burns and rhabdomyolysis. Alongside this we review common ECG changes of peaked T Waves, flattened P waves, and broad QRS segments. We look at the need for calcium gluconate, insulin, dextrose, salbutamol and potassium binders to prevent arrest in these patients. 🎧 Listen & Follow:🎙️ Spotify → ⁠⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/01yz38z....🍎 Apple Podcasts → ⁠⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast....▶️ YouTube → / @oscetalkpod 📸 Instagram → / oscetalk_ 🎵 TikTok → / oscetalk_ 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 we focus on the pathophysiology of ectopic pregnancy, alongside risk factors, and clinical presentation. We discuss what investigations are required, how to manage ectopic pregnancies that are stable vs emergency management and the need to get senior obstetrics/gynaecology input early. Peter talks through how to counsel patients sensitively on this condition also. We finish with a mock example history going through the key signs and symptoms to pick up on in these patients. 🎧 Listen & Follow:🎙️ Spotify → ⁠⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/01yz38z....🍎 Apple Podcasts → ⁠⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast....▶️ YouTube → / @oscetalkpod 📸 Instagram → / oscetalk_ 🎵 TikTok → / oscetalk_ 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 schizophrenia and Schneider’s First Rank Symptoms, one of the most important concepts for psychiatry OSCEs and medical exams. Schizophrenia rarely begins suddenly. Many patients experience a prodromal phase first, where family members may notice social withdrawal, reduced motivation, changes in behaviour, sleep disturbance and declining daily functioning. Over time this can progress into psychosis, where patients may develop hallucinations, delusions and disturbances in thought. In this episode we break down Schneider’s First Rank Symptoms of schizophrenia, explaining what they are, how they present clinically, and how to explore them safely during a psychiatric history. We also discuss the positive, negative and cognitive symptoms of schizophrenia and how they affect patients’ ability to function day-to-day. • Auditory hallucinations (voices commenting or discussing the patient)• Command hallucinations• Thought insertion• Thought withdrawal• Thought broadcasting• Passivity phenomena (external control of thoughts, actions or emotions)• Delusional perception Symptoms added to normal experience:• Hallucinations• Delusions• Thought disorder• Disorganised behaviour Loss of normal functioning:• Reduced motivation (avolition)• Social withdrawal• Reduced speech (alogia)• Flattened emotional expression• Reduced engagement with daily activities • Impaired working memory• Reduced concentration• Executive dysfunction• Difficulty with organisation and decision-making When assessing a patient with schizophrenia or psychosis it is essential to evaluate: • Risk to self (including suicidal thoughts)• Risk to others• Command hallucinations• Vulnerability and exploitation• Self-neglect• Ability to function independently Collateral history from family or carers can often be essential because patients may lack insight into their symptoms. Psychotic symptoms can also occur in: • Bipolar disorder (mania)• Psychotic depression• Delirium• Drug-induced psychosis• Alcohol withdrawal• Neurological or organic brain disease Organic causes should always be considered and may require investigations such as CT brain, MRI brain or EEG. Management of schizophrenia often involves: • Antipsychotic medications (e.g. olanzapine, risperidone, clozapine)• Psychological therapies• Community mental health team follow-up• Inpatient psychiatric care if risk is high In OSCE stations, it is important to explain schizophrenia in simple terms: Schizophrenia affects how the brain processes information and filters thoughts and perceptions. This can lead to hearing voices, developing strong beliefs that don’t match reality, or finding it difficult to organise thoughts. Treatments are available that help manage symptoms and improve quality of life. 🎧 Listen on:Apple PodcastsSpotifyYouTube Follow OSCE Talk for practical OSCE teaching, psychiatry revision and clinical explanations for medical students. 📚 Key Topics CoveredFirst Rank Symptoms of SchizophreniaPositive SymptomsNegative SymptomsCognitive Symptoms⚠️ Risk Assessment in Psychosis🧠 Differential Diagnoses for Psychosis💊 Management Overview🗣 Explaining Schizophrenia to Patients 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, we break down lithium — how it works, when it’s used, how to monitor it safely, and how to counsel a patient in an OSCE station. Lithium is one of the most effective long-term treatments for bipolar disorder and significantly reduces suicide risk — but it requires careful monitoring and patient education. We cover: • Indications for lithium (bipolar disorder & treatment-resistant depression)• How lithium stabilises mood• Therapeutic range and toxicity levels• Baseline investigations (U&Es, TFTs, calcium, ECG)• Ongoing monitoring schedule• 12-hour lithium level timing• Common side effects• Lithium toxicity signs and triggers• Drug interactions (NSAIDs, ACE inhibitors, diuretics)• Pregnancy risks and counselling• OSCE counselling structure This episode is ideal for: Medical students OSCE preparation Psychiatry placements Foundation doctors GP rotations Lithium is powerful — but only safe when monitored correctly. This episode helps you understand both the science and the counselling. 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 take a structured paediatric history We walk through the basics of a paediatric history, including who the patient has brought with them mum, dad , or grandparent.The episode also highlights the importance of a clear systematic approach using a head to toes overview to cover all basic symptoms. We go through the importances of birth, feeding, growth, development, and vaccine history. This episode is designed to help medical students improve their basics whilst taking a paediatric history. 🎧 Listen & Follow:🎙️ Spotify → https://open.spotify.com/show/01yz38z...🍎 Apple Podcasts → https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...▶️ YouTube → / @oscetalkpod 📸 Instagram → / oscetalk_ 🎵 TikTok → / oscetalk_ 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 take a clear, structured psychiatric history. We walk through core psychiatric symptoms not to miss including screening for depression, anxiety, mania, psychosis, schizophrenia and OCD. The episode also highlights the importance of understanding psychiatric terminology, and going through the importance of RISK in psychiatry. This episode is designed to help you sound confident, organised, and clinically safe when faced with pyschiatric history stations. 🎧 Listen & Follow:🎙️ Spotify → https://open.spotify.com/show/01yz38z...🍎 Apple Podcasts → https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...▶️ YouTube →    / @oscetalkpod  📸 Instagram →   / oscetalk_  🎵 TikTok →   / oscetalk_   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.