The CSA with Confidence
SPECIAL CSA AREAS
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How to say No
The Emotional Response
The Angry or Demanding Patient
The patient in chronic pain
Breaking Bad News
First of all, if you don’t properly understand how the CSA works or what it is testing, then it is unlikely you will succeed. Think about it for a moment – if you truly understand the marking schedule, then actually you have the ‘answer’ sheet which should guide you how to pass. So step one to passing is going back to basics and truly understanding what the CSA is about and what it is testing.
These are the 3 areas you will be tested on:
- In Data Gathering, they are testing communication skills AS WELL AS clinical skills like clinical examination; around 3 stations will involve clinical examination.
- Clinical management includes synthesis, diagnosis, appreciation of co-morbidity, flexibility and sharing management options with the patient.
- Interpersonal skills include, communication, respect for others, professionalism and other behavioural indicators.
And finally, always safety net (ask your trainer if you don’t know what this means).
More information is available on the RCGP CSA pages.
Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Non-Binary Issues (LGBTQ)
Reading a consultation book or two will definately help you get some of the cores communication skills to consult effectively with patients. Although some people are naturally good at patient-centred consultting and others less so, the good news is that these skills can be learnt. Yes! Even if you are not good at consulting in a person-centred way, with practise you can learn to be as good as those who are naturally good. Of course, the key word here is practise!
Some good consultation books are…
- The Inner Consultation by Roger Neighbour (a great starter esp for ST1s).
- Skills for Communicating with Patients by Silverman et al (one of the best foundation books around – a definite worthwhile read).
- The Doctor’s Communication Handbook by Peter Tate (another foundation book).
- The Naked Consultation by Liz Moulton (covers a variety of tricky scenarios – another definite worthwhile read).
Sexual Problems
Reading a consultation book or two will definately help you get some of the cores communication skills to consult effectively with patients. Although some people are naturally good at patient-centred consultting and others less so, the good news is that these skills can be learnt. Yes! Even if you are not good at consulting in a person-centred way, with practise you can learn to be as good as those who are naturally good. Of course, the key word here is practise!
Some good consultation books are…
- The Inner Consultation by Roger Neighbour (a great starter esp for ST1s).
- Skills for Communicating with Patients by Silverman et al (one of the best foundation books around – a definite worthwhile read).
- The Doctor’s Communication Handbook by Peter Tate (another foundation book).
- The Naked Consultation by Liz Moulton (covers a variety of tricky scenarios – another definite worthwhile read).
10 minute CBT
The Deaf and Blind
Reading a consultation book or two will definately help you get some of the cores communication skills to consult effectively with patients. Although some people are naturally good at patient-centred consultting and others less so, the good news is that these skills can be learnt. Yes! Even if you are not good at consulting in a person-centred way, with practise you can learn to be as good as those who are naturally good. Of course, the key word here is practise!
Some good consultation books are…
- The Inner Consultation by Roger Neighbour (a great starter esp for ST1s).
- Skills for Communicating with Patients by Silverman et al (one of the best foundation books around – a definite worthwhile read).
- The Doctor’s Communication Handbook by Peter Tate (another foundation book).
- The Naked Consultation by Liz Moulton (covers a variety of tricky scenarios – another definite worthwhile read).