CHK CASES ON MY GOOGLE DRIVE SHARED BY DR.

USMAN

This document is my personal strategy of cracking the AMC clinical exam(Remember, you should
have one as well). It is a guide and my view.It can mean nothing to you or everything. It depends on
your individual approach.
When I took up the mammoth task of sitting for the clinical, I know just 4-5 people belonging to the
same group. I had no resources, no study partners. I decided to study on my own as most partners
were not knowledgable and not well prepared. I failed. But, I persevered. I did follow the same
strategy and won the second time. I did not do any bridging courses(Though that might help - I
consider that it is rather overpriced for me)
A sincere request - Please do not edit and change any content without my notice. Should you wish to
clarify/change drop me a msg.
This is an exam where you are supposed to have answers at your finger tips - You should be very
thorough with all the cases. (In my view even if a gives the exam
PREPARATION :What to Study
1. Amc handbook of clinical assessment - *Two complete readings*
2. Recalls - Atleast two complete readings
3. Tally O connor Physical examination including videos
4. John Murtagh
5. Royal college guidelines
6. Self prepared notes*
Months before - You should do the AMC clinical book atleast twice - with roleplaying every case and
do a good chunk of recalls(3 years mandatory, 5 would be good, 7 - the best preparation) again with
roleplaying.
Take notes for every case you study. Do not repeat the same mistake again.
You should watch the AMC clinical video to get a first hand impression of what the exam is gonna be
like. Keep doing cases the same way.
Weeks before - Read your notes, do the current year recalls. Do active roleplay.
Days before - Do all roleplays like mock exams, in sets with 16 cases.
STUDY PARTNER :Preparing with a good study partner is the most critical issue for this exam. Your partner should be
skilled and knowledgable with the cases and actively point out your mistakes. If you do the same
mistake in the real exam, there is no point doing it before hand. So , find a very good sp. Getting one

is luck. (Try to find 3-4 doctors sitting for the exam, do some role plays and choose the one who does
it the best!!)
THE BIG DAY :As you enter each station, the examiner will greet you and ask for identity check - Respond with a
smile. Shake hands and introduce yourself. Shake hands with the patient, introduce according to the
scenario :- "Hi, I am Dr.Sarat, one of the intern's in the emergency department"-The key to this is to
know where you are and what position you hold-This also tells you about what you should do. For
example "I will call the surgical registrar, I will send you to a teritiary hospital by air ambulance etc.,"
Standard structure of the AMC clinical.
1. Medicine
2. Paediatrics
3. Rest station
4. Surgery
5. O+G
6. Medicine
7. Psychiatry
8. Rest station
9. Medicine
10. Paediatrics
11. O+G
12. Surgery
13. Rest station
14. Medicine
15. Medicine
16. Paediatrics
17. Surgery
18. Rest station
19. Psychiatry
20. O+G
Each station is for ten minutes - 2 minutes reading time(At the end of the reading time , u should
most probably come to 3-4 DD and should think of possible critical errors)
Stations 2,10,16 are paed - one counselling station, one emergency and one ordinary consultation.
Stations 5,11,20 are OBG - one counselling station, one emergency and one ordinary consultation.
One medical/surgical emergency
Always remember
1.Review, refer, reading material and red flags!!
2.5p history in OBG
3. Greet, shake hands, wash hands, emotions(esp breaking bad news and emergencies)
4. All emergencies - Call registrar, admit,emergency management and then explain possible
emergency management. If in rural areas refer to hospi by air/emergency transport.

5. Prepare DD before hand. For example if you are starting at station 19 - you should already know
that it is psych and u should ask MSE, suicide and SAD - Smoking alcohol drugs (Miss these and u
will fail most of the times regardless of the performance)

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33 people like this.

Yogesh Ab Sarat Chandra Viswanadh T "Detailed, Descriptive & Informative document of immense Value"
Commendable Job; Your Experience & Hard Work written all over it.
Thank you buddy
September 20, 2012 at 12:54pm Like 1

Priyanka Soni Thank you very much...

September 20, 2012 at 1:14pm Like 1

Iam Alive Thanks for sharing your experience .

September 20, 2012 at 2:02pm Like 1

DrSarat Chandra Viswanadh Tata Yogesh Ab Welcome bro.. If it is useful at least to some extent, I feel really
happy.. Priyanka Soni Namaste ImAlive - Welcome
September 20, 2012 at 2:17pm Like

Mounika Penmethsa this is of great help.. can u post few important rules to remember
September 20, 2012 at 10:38pm Like

Mahima Rajendran great job...can any one tell me where can i get latest recalls 2012 n 2011?
September 21, 2012 at 7:21am Like

Mahima Rajendran Shall inbox you... thanks a lot

September 21, 2012 at 10:04am via mobile Like

Mahima Rajendran Plz accept friend req

September 21, 2012 at 10:05am via mobile Like

Iman Eftekharzadeh Dear Sarat Chandra Viswanadh T Congrat. WIsh you all the best.
September 21, 2012 at 10:31am Like 1

DrSarat Chandra Viswanadh Tata Iman Eftekharzadeh - Thank you

September 21, 2012 at 10:39am Like

Mei Gi Very informative! thank you!

January 13, 2013 at 1:07pm Like 1

Ruchi Bhansali Hey thanks ..lot helpful to start with .i m new to this group but can u kindly help me out with few
queries ..wats this amc clinical video ..r these the DVD by amc or something else ,also frm wher can I get authentic
recalls ?and lastly how much time I approx needed for clinical prep ...thanks again
February 6, 2013 at 3:02am via mobile Like 1

Strike Back Avni Walia

March 21, 2013 at 4:09am Like

Strike Back Thank you for the information Sarat Chandra Viswanadh T
March 21, 2013 at 4:11am Like 2

DrSarat Chandra Viswanadh Tata Reshma Clare Stanislaus 1. Medicine

2. Paediatrics
3. Rest station...See More
July 8, 2013 at 6:32am Like 2

Raquel Zanetti Hi Reshma Clare Stanislaus, are you studying for a retest? I am also waiting for a retest and I am
looking for a study partner to study by skype. Would you be interested?
July 9, 2013 at 10:51am Like

Rafat Nausheen V informative for beginners in clinical exam prep.thank u.

July 12, 2013 at 8:30am via mobile Like 1

Bushra Hafeez Thanks its very informative Sarat Chandra Viswanadh T do you have any tips for ortho cases, i hate
them
July 16, 2013 at 12:15pm via mobile Like

Merium Irfan Sumreen Nawaz

July 16, 2013 at 2:45pm Like 1

Sahar Hammad Sahar Zaidi Ayesha Malik

July 16, 2013 at 3:20pm via mobile Like

Merium Irfan Seher Zaidi

July 16, 2013 at 5:02pm Like 1

Seher Zaidi Zubin Kaushik

July 16, 2013 at 8:35pm Like 1

Sana Rehman where to get amc clinical video?

December 31, 2013 at 12:40pm Like

Shruti Smriti Sarkar Thank you so much...can you please tell us where we can get clinicsl video?
Yesterday at 2:02pm via mobile Like 1

Shruti Smriti Sarkar Would you please tell if anyone does not role play in every cases...will it be difficult to do in real
exam...??and you told you studied alone then how did u manage the role playing?
23 hours ago via mobile Like 1

Geeta Tadimalla Thank you very much for the oerview It is very helpfull.
6 hours ago Like

How to approach a station in the exam?

By DrSarat Chandra Viswanadh Tata on Saturday, September 22, 2012 at 4:27pm

This is purely my personal experience and my plan of how to approach a station. kindly use it just as
a guide.
Some of my views may not be the right ones - If so, please say so!!
Believe that you can pass every single station!! (Who can believe? - The doctor who works hard and
prepares well in advance and who can relax on the day before the exam, have a good nights sleep
and be relaxed and focussed on the day of exam)
The Golden Minutes(The 1-2 minutes reading time)
1. Read the question and tasks very carefully. e.g., dont come to conclusions as soon as you start
reading or after you have read just a few lines!! Do not guess but keep formulating your hypothesis!!!
Even when you feel that the case was exactly the same as AMC book/a previous recall, still take time
to formulate and exclude possible dd.
2. Think of critical errors and key zones to perform. E.g., If its a diabetic LL exam think of
Dermatological, Neurovascular examination. Be focused.
3. Try to work out what the examiner is trying to find out E.g.,
A. Diabetic LL PE - Accurate technique of examination? Using appropriate tuning forks? Comparing
findings of both limbs? Missing injuries,ulcers or neuropathy findings?

B. PVD examination Buergers test, peripheral pulses(Technique and accuracy of findings)

4. Do not be over suspicious looking for tricks or pitfalls in the question. However, do not think of very
silly diagnosis too.. Think of all possible things to cover E.g., A child with loose stools/URTI usually is
not vaccinated due to some issues failing to address this issue amounts to clear fail(BIND
approach in children)
5. Logical reasoning may help you answer some questions.
The Deciding Minutes(7-8 minutes)

1. Always wear a gentle Smile on your face. Do not show anxiety(Hide it)
2. Keep track of time preferably using a stop watch (I used a wrist stop watch purchased from
target @ 10 AUD Throughout my last two weeks of prep and during the exam this proved
invaluable for my time management)
3. Greet, thank and remember to wash hands before and after PE.
4. Even if you know the question before and are very sure of the diagnosis, exclude some
common and serious dd - remember they want you to be safe!! E.g., DD in headache - Even
though you are very sure that it is tension headache/migraine you should still r/o
meningitis/sah(Failing to ask regarding n/v in history and BP, neck stiffness and fundoscopy
in PE could be a critical error)
5. Be logical. Let the flow be soft, smooth and clear. Do not rush and throw lots of information.
Remember to use layman terms when talking to the patient(Avoid medical jargon You will
lose precious time if you dont).E.g., (It is better to ask) How about your waterworks rather
than How is your urination? This gives an idea that you are following Australian style of
approach.
6. Follow fixed pattern History, PE, management and counselling and end with 4R approach.
Always provide safety net.
7. Patient comfort and safety is very important. Remember to relieve pain, be safe!!(Red flags,
Refer, Reassure, Reading material and always Review). If it is an emergency station start
with haemodynamics - Ask the examiner - Is my patient haemodynamically stable? and then
start the task.
8. Do not forget to ask about drug allergies. Remember most patients in the exam have
antibiotic and morphine allergy!!

9. Try not to give an impression of clear rote memorization, be natural but at the same time
quick!! (This comes only when you have knowledge at finger tips and PE skills as spinal
reflex)
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39 people like this.

Mohammad Mehedi Hasan Thanks a lot...

September 22, 2012 at 9:11pm Like

Poyap Rooney Thanks again mate!

October 3, 2012 at 6:36pm Like

Poyap Rooney Its always better to hear from someone who has just been through the exam.. one gets the feeling the
"voice" and the learning that follows is more real, thanks Sarat . As I prepare for Nov, these tips give me more
confidence and fill up gaps I may not...See More
October 8, 2012 at 4:54am Like 1

DrSarat Chandra Viswanadh Tata Poyap Rooney - there is always room for us.. Dont u worry.. Perseverance always
gets paid!!
October 8, 2012 at 5:52am Like 1

Ruchi Bhansali Thanks dr Sarat ..ur way of guiding is grt ...wanted to ask ,u said to relieve pain ..I didn't understand
that ..before starting history do v need to ask to offer pain killers ..
February 8, 2013 at 4:18am via mobile Like

DrSarat Chandra Viswanadh Tata Ruchi Bhansali - If the rp is in pain, yes u should
February 8, 2013 at 10:52pm Like

Ayesha Omer hello everyone,Dr sarat ur the best,ur guidelines are surely helpful,can u plz guide more about physical
examinations like we have to certainly pick the findings are they just check our technique?and the arrangement of
station is always like that r there can be some change.
February 11, 2013 at 12:31pm Like

DrSarat Chandra Viswanadh Tata Ayesha Omer - Arrangement is always the same. You are marked both on the
technique as well as findings.
February 14, 2013 at 3:41pm Like 1

Neelamani Sumudu Karunatilake Thank you Dr Sarat for the valuable tips !
February 15, 2013 at 3:18am Like 1

Ayesha Omer thanx dr sarat

February 18, 2013 at 2:21pm Like

Alifa Khan Thanks..

February 19, 2013 at 4:09pm Like

Shirin Hsh THANKS DEAR

July 7, 2013 at 8:01pm Like 1

Merium Irfan Sumreen Nawaz

July 16, 2013 at 2:49pm Like 1

Sahar Hammad Thanks alooot dr. Sarat

July 16, 2013 at 3:17pm via mobile Like

Sahar Hammad Ayesha Malik

July 16, 2013 at 3:18pm via mobile Like

Sahar Hammad Sahar Zaidi

July 16, 2013 at 3:18pm via mobile Like 1

Sahar Hammad Sumreen Nawaz

July 16, 2013 at 3:18pm via mobile Like 1

Merium Irfan Seher Zaidi

July 16, 2013 at 5:03pm Like 1

Seher Zaidi Zubin Kaushik

July 16, 2013 at 8:37pm Like 1

Rumaisa Shaukat Dr-Amresh Gul