Day 1: Course Introduction and Communication Skills
Course Introduction
On Day 1, your Physician Instructor will provide an overview of the course, outline the agenda, and invite questions about the course content. The virtual course includes a review of all exam parts of the OSCE and details on how the exam is scored.

Communication Component
Introduction: Principles of Proper Introduction
This section focuses on the correct technique for introducing oneself in a Physician/Patient setting. Participants will learn how to develop a trusting relationship with patients, the importance of showing respect, and proper patient interview techniques.

  • Developing a Trusting Physician/Patient Relationship

  • Fostering the relationship through verbal skills

  • Proper patient interview techniques


Techniques for Encounter Closure

  • The course also covers essential steps for closing a patient’s encounter effectively. You will learn how to provide the patient with two differential diagnoses, describe these diagnoses in clear, understandable terms, explain the recommended diagnostic studies, and ensure the patient understands and agrees with the proposed plan.


Providing two differential diagnoses

  • Describing diagnoses with clear, understandable statements (Ximedus supplies all needed statements for this section)

  • Explanation of diagnostic studies

  • Ensuring patient agreement, willingness, and understanding


Counseling on Negative Social Habits

  • Counseling the patient about negative social habits—such as tobacco use, alcohol consumption, illicit drug use, sexual practices, diet, and exercise—is an integral part of the encounter closure process.


Communication and Interpersonal Skills
Fostering Relationships Through Facilitative Communication

  • Demonstrating attentive body language during online video consultations to show engagement and respect.

  • Using appropriate empathy to connect with patients and acknowledge their emotions.

  • Validating patient concerns by recognizing and addressing their issues.

  • Determining the patient's understanding of the information provided to ensure clarity.

  • Helping the patient make appropriate decisions based on their needs and comprehension.


Effective Communication Techniques

  • The discussion and demonstration of communication skills focus on methods that enhance information exchange and support patient-centered care.

  • Asking open-ended versus closed-ended questions to elicit comprehensive responses or specific information.

  • Reflecting pertinent content to demonstrate active listening and understanding.

  • Clarifying information to minimize misunderstandings and ensure accurate communication.


Empathy: Understanding and Application
Empathy is fundamental to professional communication. Understanding and applying empathy can improve interactions with both adult and pediatric patients.

  • A communication instructor explains how to display professional empathy in clinical encounters.

  • Participants gain a basic understanding of empathy for adult and pediatric encounters.

  • After the discussion, participants practice their skills to reinforce learning and application.


Day 2: Medical Interview and Patient Note

The Medical Interview
This section focuses on developing key skills for conducting effective medical interviews. Participants will learn how to approach interviews in a problem-oriented manner, ensuring that each patient interaction is systematic and focused. The course covers techniques for conducting interviews, including methods to calibrate the conversation using patient-centered interview techniques. Emphasis will be placed on active listening and environmental control to help clinicians create a comfortable setting for patients.

Objectives for the History of Present Illness (HPI) will be addressed, highlighting the importance of identifying pertinent positive and negative associated symptoms. Transitional statements will be introduced to support smooth communication throughout the interview. Learners will also review the process for gathering past medical history, family history, and social/sexual history, as well as conducting a comprehensive review of symptoms. Finally, participants will gain insight into managing time and recognizing limitations to ensure interviews are efficient and thorough.

  • Dealing with the problem-oriented interview

  • Conducting the interview

  • Calibrating the interview using patient-centered techniques

  • Active listening

  • Controlling the environment

  • Objectives for HPI

  • Pertinent positive and negative associated symptoms

  • Transitional statements

  • Past medical history

  • Family history

  • Social history/sexual history

  • Review of symptoms

  • Time management and time limitations


The Patient Note
This section is dedicated to teaching the essential elements of writing a comprehensive and organized patient note. Participants will learn how to compose a strong History of Present Illness (HPI) using appropriate writing style and parameters. The importance of thorough documentation will be emphasized, ensuring that Past Medical History (PMH), Past Surgical History (PSH), Family History (FH), Social History (SH), and Review of Symptoms (ROS) are all accurately recorded.
Guidance will be provided on documenting physical examination findings with the appropriate abbreviations. Learners will be introduced to a formula for supporting each diagnosis in the history findings column, and will understand what support is necessary for the physical exam findings column. The parameters for the diagnostic studies section will also be clarified, enabling clinicians to document their findings and recommendations with precision.

  • Writing a strong, organized HPI

  • Acceptable writing styles and parameters

  • Documentation of PMH, PSH, FH, SH, ROS

  • Documenting physical examination findings with acceptable abbreviations

  • Formula for supporting each diagnosis in the history findings column

  • Support for the physical exam findings column

  • Parameters for the diagnostic studies section


Day 3: Physical Examination Stations
Physical Examination Stations
On the third day, participants will focus on virtual physical examination techniques across key clinical systems.


The physical examination procedures for the following six systems:

  • HEENT (Head, Eyes, Ears, Nose, and Throat)

  • CVS (Cardiovascular System)

  • Lungs

  • ABD (Abdomen)

  • MSK (Musculoskeletal System)

  • NEURO (Neurological System)


Individual Practice
The class will be divided into individual pairs. The individual will work under an instructor's guidance to master the physical examination skills for each system virtually.


















 












 


Online Comprehensive Clinical Skills Course for the OSCE

USMLE™ is a registered trademark of the Federation of State Medical Boards (FSMB) of the United States, Inc., and the National Board of Medical Examiners® (NBME). Neither of these trademark holders are affiliated with Ximedus, Inc. or this website.

Course Price $1595.00


Online Comprehensive Clinical Skills Course for the OSCE

Course Price $1595.00


The course is 9:30 am-5:30 pm eastern time.  The course will go later on the day that we do Physical Examination stations to provide for more practice.

Zoom Video media will be used.


Lecture notes will be provided prior to the course. Additional course materials will be provided during the workshop.



SEATS ARE LIMITED to allow for more interaction with the Instructor