PLAB 2: Become Detailed Familiar With The Exam’s Structure and Content
An objective structured clinical exam is called PLAB 2 (OSCE). There are eight minutes in each of the eighteen scenarios. Moreover, they replicate real-world environments by utilizing a simulated consultation room or an acute hospital.
Content of the PLAB 2 Exam
Everything that a doctor trained in the United Kingdom sees on the first day of Foundation Year 2 (FY 2/F2) is included in the PLAB exam syllabus. It puts one’s capacity to use information to treat patients to the test once more.
The UK’s current best practice is shown by the marking of the scenarios. Furthermore, rather than handling them in accordance with local arrangements, candidates ought to handle them in light of published evidence.
Moreover, the most current version of the British National Formulary (BNF) contains the names of the medications mentioned in the exam.
Exam Structure
The PLAB 2 test lasts for three hours and ten minutes. The interval between test scenarios is one and a half minutes. In addition, you should use this time to read the patient information and instructions.
For every scenario, candidates are scored against three critical aspects. These are technical, assessment, and data collection skills.
i.e., gathering medical history, doing a physical examination, doing hands-on procedures, and doing investigations that result in a diagnosis.
Clinical management abilities come next. These consist of developing a management plan, providing the patient with explanations, and developing a diagnosis.
Interpersonal skills rank third. It all comes down to getting to the station. How the candidate engages the patient, whether or not they build a connection with them, and how they use both open-ended and closed-ended questions. This also applies to your display of professionalism and moral values.
Your proficiency in the following skill areas will be evaluated by the examiner when marking against the domains:
Clinical Analysis
The examiner will assess your capacity to perform a hands-on assessment of a virtual patient. Usually, this will be a trained actor who can hold signs when necessary. For some exams, an anatomical model may also be utilized.
Useful abilities
The examiner will evaluate your proficiency in carrying out standard practical procedures. Once more, they can ask you to work with an anatomical model or a simulated patient.
Social Competencies
The GMC uses an observation of your interactions with other people to assess these talents. Sometimes the examiner is used, and other times a simulated patient. Throughout the assessment, the examiner will evaluate how you interact with the patient.
You can submit an application for a full registration with a license to practice after passing the PLAB 1 and PLAB 2 exams. After passing PLAB 2, your application must be accepted within two years. You are eligible to practice medicine in the UK once your application has been granted by the GMC.
I hope this information was useful to you. I hope your PLAB 2 exam goes well!