Deconstructing the OSCE

Duncan Harding is a trained forensic psychiatrist with a research interest in the neurobiology of psychopathy and conduct disorder. He has published extensively in the field of motoneurone degeneration, and is also interested in recovery, peer mentorship, and medical education. His teaching focuses on the OSCE: he facilitates OSCE workshops for trainees and medical students; delivers lectures on the MRCPsych teaching course for trainees at the Institute of Psychiatry; and is currently designing a strategic generic skills-based OSCE course for the UK and overseas.

• 1. Setting the scene ; 2. Carrying baggage ; 3. Moving on after failure ; 4. Reframing anxiety ; 5. Confidence and self-belief ; 6. Understanding OSCE construction ; 7. Forming a connection ; 8. Rehearsal ; 9. Studying in a group ; 10. Modelling ; 11. Build your Skills Toolkit - Part 1: Getting started ; 12. Build your Skills Toolkit - Part 2: General aspects ; 13. Build your Skills Toolkit - Part 3: History taking ; 14. Build your Skills Toolkit - Part 4: Practical skills ; 15. Build your Skills Toolkit - Part 5: Challenging scenarios ; 16. Generic strategies ; 17. Afterword

Coping with the fear of, or, actual exam failure is always the footnote of any exam preperation books, never giving it the recognition it derserves. Harding has tackled this taboo, by producing a straightforward, highly readable plan on how not to be subsumed by these feelings when preparing for OSCE examination...I can't recommend this book enough to trainees, tutors, training directors, and revision course organisers.