Summary: How to smash every medical exam question

Cast your mind all the way back to PassGP Academy Lesson 4, when we met Brian, who wasn’t very happy with the care which we provided him.

In case you have no recollection of Brian (or have rather chosen to never remember Brian again), here he is:

Brian Johnson, aged 56 years, presents post skin excision wanting to make a formal complaint about a keloid scar. What non-pharmacological management actions are appropriate? Write four (4) answers.

(Maximum Score = 4 marks)

• Offer apology (1 mark)
• Arrange for Brian to see your colleague (1 mark)
• Discuss option of referral to state Health Complaint Entity (1 mark)
• Discuss option of referral to AHPRA (1 mark)
• Signpost to practice complaints pathway (1 mark)
• Engage in open disclosure (1 mark)
• Arrange for Brian to see practice manager (1 mark)

Remember how mortified you were when you discovered that you would not do very well with the following seemingly sensible answer:

-listen carefully, offer apology and document concerns

-examine keloid scar

-call medical indemnity insurance

-arrange a re-excision

You would have scored 0.5 marks – despite your answer being medically correct and appropriate.

The difference is you now know exactly why that is, and how to approach this question.

You firstly know that most curricula have non-clinical domains, such as medicolegal medicine. You would have identified the many clues in the stem. You would have quickly picked up that this question is all about non-pharmacological aspects and that it is all about actions rather than options. You would have quickly avoided overcoding as the opposite of all that is good. You would have been weary of capping, and you would have provided specific answers which would have demonstrated the breadth of your knowledge. Finally, you would have avoided any killer answers, and if you really did have no idea what to do, you would have had a framework to answer questions where you didn't know what the answer is.

If you haven't already, come put your new-found skills to the test with the beautiful PassGP Examination Bank, with more than 1500 worked up examples, each with PassGP Examiner Hints and Tips, Detailed Grids, Instant Marking and References. Finally, you are not alone with the PassGP Online Community, a brilliant mix of like-minded colleagues all in the same boat to pass by hints and tips, query troublesome issues or just to provide social company and support. And of course, if you ever need more support, we are here to help with One-to-One and Small Group Coaching with the PassGP Examiners.

Congratulations on graduating from the PassGP Academy. May the exam forces be with you so you can do yourself very proud.

You've got this.