SURGICAL FINALS Passing the Clinical - PasTest
SURGICAL FINALS Passing the Clinical - PasTest
SURGICAL FINALS Passing the Clinical - PasTest
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4Frequently askedquestions and<strong>the</strong> vivaMedicine involves a great deal of communication, with both patientsand colleagues from all disciplines. Thus presenting clinical findings,answering related questions, and discussing differential diagnoses andsubsequent management are a routine part of clinical practice. Do not<strong>the</strong>refore be surprised to be asked fur<strong>the</strong>r questions about your clinicalfindings.Vivas are widely practised in postgraduate examinations but less so inundergraduate examinations because <strong>the</strong>y can be subjective and providea patchy assessment of <strong>the</strong> curriculum. You may particularly dread<strong>the</strong>m because <strong>the</strong> field is vast and ‘<strong>the</strong>y can ask you anything’. The vivadoes, however, provide an examiner a rapid way of covering essentialknowledge in a form that relates to subsequent clinical practice. This iswhy some schools retain a pass or fail viva for borderline candidates.If you are unfortunate enough to be in this group, take courage from <strong>the</strong>fact that <strong>the</strong>re are usually two examiners looking for reasons to passyou. The examination usually follows a standard approach, and payingattention to <strong>the</strong> viva techniques outlined below and <strong>the</strong> content of <strong>the</strong>subsequent pages will make it less of an ordeal. They are likely to cover anumber of topics to ensure that your knowledge across <strong>the</strong> syllabus is at asafe and competent level for you to progress.You should also be aware that any part of <strong>the</strong> clinical examination can turninto a ‘mini viva’. The frequently asked questions throughout <strong>the</strong> textcover <strong>the</strong> topics, and answers, that make up <strong>the</strong> standard surgical viva.The o<strong>the</strong>r type of viva that you may be fortunate enough to be part ofis <strong>the</strong> distinction viva – equally terrifying! Here <strong>the</strong> rules are different;<strong>the</strong> examiners are assessing a depth of surgical knowledge beyond<strong>the</strong> contents of this book. They may start off with <strong>the</strong> same standardquestions, but will <strong>the</strong>n ask <strong>the</strong> details of probably two topics, pushingyou to your limit. You may think that you shouldn’t be <strong>the</strong>re and betempted to withdraw – but don’t – it is as an enlightening experience, youcan’t be marked down and your luck may hold! Scan through topics that15