OSCE Talk

Meningitis Overview | OSCE Talk

This episode we focus on meningitis in both adult and paediatric populations, we look at the microbiology, common ways this presents, red flag features, important diagnostic tests and interpretation of these. Antibiotic treatment focussed on coverage of listeria and the consideration of steriods in patients. We finish with untreated complications and the need for contact tracing and possible prophylaxis for close contacts. 🎧 Listen & Follow: 🎙️ Spotify → ⁠⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/01yz38z... [https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbEJBbGFkaEJfXzNDc0pyNXZUaVpJZVVidG5OZ3xBQ3Jtc0tsU0REa09OUVZkQnZlOWdRUnZRa00wa1g5bkJSMXpsR0ZiWXlLcW0xRjJobXROWlF3Y0FWMmhNcEdIQkh6cmpSQk53ZDIzVjROY05BSHZKTC1CVVNHbWQ4N3RUU1NpMmgwQzhCbjVYd2RsQWZQOVRnUQ&q=https%3A%2F%2Fopen.spotify.com%2Fshow%2F01yz38z...&v=Map8fV8dxYk].🍎 Apple Podcasts → ⁠⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast... [https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbE9oLW45TlV4cHVuS0gtVE1sbDkzU1VkVEZRZ3xBQ3Jtc0tuVTFsdlJFZzhtVzlaSTFrN3pqMVBxc2lCeWFwY2hqeC1UNi15dVQ4aUdaWjUzYWdnbFRGckktNzFzb2xLRVpXRTY2YmFIUWwyclkySW40b2k3SFVlS0w4NnNQemhCakdQUlJLY2hjdlp3X1RJTTFZQQ&q=https%3A%2F%2Fpodcasts.apple.com%2Fus%2Fpodcast...&v=Map8fV8dxYk].▶️ YouTube → / @oscetalkpod 📸 Instagram → / oscetalk_ 🎵 TikTok → / oscetalk_

Tuberculosis: Differentials, Diagnosis, & Management | OSCE Talk

This episode is all about tuberculosis, its diagnosis and management.We look at how to break it down as pulmonary vs extra pulmonary TB, latent vs active TB, and the broad differentials of pneumonia, sarcoid, and malignancy. We go through the workup necessary including a chest xray, CT, sputum samples and other basic investigations. Public health involvement is key for contact tracing and then we look at the medical treatment: RIPE medications and their side effects.Peter demonstrates how to counsel a new diagnosis of TB which you may be asked to do in medical school examinations. 🎧 Listen & Follow:🎙️ Spotify → ⁠⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/01yz38z... [https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbHRlN2V0QUtTazNDS2cweDhiRTc1UmFidHU2d3xBQ3Jtc0trdFlVNE50eTZQcDEzWnZUYlM0b2RjU0hnS05fU29GMFUxVmoyT0c2UmN3Q1pvaGJNY251SzBqMjB6aVA0aXBMLXZCODNLN0tkbnM0OXNxWkFJOTFKYTRrMU1SR3FKbUZRNUxDQXdadF81M0N1SGttaw&q=https%3A%2F%2Fopen.spotify.com%2Fshow%2F01yz38z...&v=oXDsldcMFO4].🍎 Apple Podcasts → ⁠⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast... [https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbXF2bkZSVk96Xy1PS1BIZndITlctU0toUHFHZ3xBQ3Jtc0ttejBHanZlZUphb1VNeXlwTGtBNnJlUU5oLXZXWTRKZDA0VFpURnNaU3FfaFl6UEF0YkRwZkJNOHJvNXBfc0tnVHNmU0hNUW1kTzFFT3Z3ZzNxQXU5R0Z2ZHo2UmFIMkRnVXZMeUV6UV9WNnZPRzJTbw&q=https%3A%2F%2Fpodcasts.apple.com%2Fus%2Fpodcast...&v=oXDsldcMFO4].▶️ YouTube → / @oscetalkpod 📸 Instagram → / oscetalk_ 🎵 TikTok → / oscetalk_

Breaking Bad News to Patients in the Medical Setting | OSCE Talk

In this episode we focus on breaking bad news to patients. This often comes in the form of breaking diagnosis to patients such as cancer, MS, epilepsy, or even explaining a mistake made by the medical team to patients. We follow the SPIKES structure and the importance of the warning shot in preparing patients for difficult news. This episode is all about empathy, honesty, being able to communicate in a simple way with no medical jargon, and guiding patients to the next steps when discussing life changing news. 🎧 Listen & Follow:🎙️ Spotify → ⁠⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/01yz38z... [https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbVY4N3lZU29pa2ZoV2s5NDJtYmNkSE4xNjNUUXxBQ3Jtc0ttbmFmYmdIZEl5Q1c5U2MxaVBOYUk3NDlEbXBpZWxSaDg0M2EzbUdEbGpCSUpEb0ZSZ2FwZDBMZDZXT3V1VjA0U2pyc1F2SW9Xa0dTR0VNaENTSVducVZSVVl3RUdqTHk5QnRKdkRUdVdFSzZtQUV0cw&q=https%3A%2F%2Fopen.spotify.com%2Fshow%2F01yz38z...&v=ovemVFn3IYA].🍎 Apple Podcasts → ⁠⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast... [https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqa1plSXlmX1NuSEpRQm5QY0JPTGp3bTBvLV9UQXxBQ3Jtc0tuT0liRWFPRU9jZlhWWWs4Q0Q5X3FHblFqRHhEbGhUV0dNTzZUbDZ6cGUzYXJVU2FHM3NVSHdGLXpxYUMxbExITlh3RTNmN1Y1N2hyUnQtVVZqOUdMTTFBNy0xRHMyZWxnbjBqTWtBcm81cWIyODZhbw&q=https%3A%2F%2Fpodcasts.apple.com%2Fus%2Fpodcast...&v=ovemVFn3IYA].▶️ YouTube → / @oscetalkpod 📸 Instagram → / oscetalk_ 🎵 TikTok → / oscetalk_

Levodopa Explained | Parkinson’s Treatment, Side Effects & OSCE Counselling

In this episode of OSCE Talk, we focus on one of the most important medications in neurology — levodopa, the cornerstone of treatment in Parkinson’s disease. We break down how levodopa works, how it should be prescribed, and—most importantly—how to explain and counsel it clearly in an OSCE or real clinical setting. We start by explaining the mechanism of action, including how levodopa crosses the blood-brain barrier and is converted into dopamine, helping to improve the classic motor symptoms of Parkinson’s such as bradykinesia, rigidity, and tremor. We also cover why levodopa is given alongside carbidopa to reduce peripheral side effects and improve its effectiveness. From there, we discuss the key practical prescribing points that are essential for both exams and the wards. This includes the fact that levodopa is a time-critical medication, taken multiple times per day due to its short half-life, and why missing doses can lead to a rapid deterioration in symptoms such as freezing and rigidity—particularly important in hospital patients who are nil by mouth. We then move on to side effects and long-term complications, including: * Nausea, dizziness, and postural hypotension * The “on-off” phenomenon, where symptom control fluctuates throughout the day * Dyskinesias (involuntary movements) with long-term use * Neuropsychiatric effects such as confusion, hallucinations, and impulse control issues We also highlight key clinical safety points, including why levodopa should never be stopped abruptly, and situations where caution is needed—such as in patients with glaucoma or pre-existing cognitive or psychiatric symptoms. A major focus of this episode is learning how to structure a clear, safe explanation in an OSCE, using the ATHLETIC framework (Action, Timing, How to take, Length, Effects, Tests, Interactions, Contraindications). This gives you a reliable way to cover all the important counselling points while still sounding natural and patient-friendly.

Parkinson’s Disease Explained | Symptoms, Causes, Differentials & Management | OSCE TALK

In this episode of OSCE Talk, we break down Parkinson’s Disease in a clear, structured, and clinically relevant way. We start with what Parkinson’s actually is — a progressive neurodegenerative condition caused by loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra — and explain how this leads to the classic features of Parkinsonism. We then cover the key clinical features using the TRAP mnemonic (Tremor, Rigidity, Akinesia/Bradykinesia, Postural Instability), alongside important non-motor symptoms such as autonomic dysfunction, sleep disturbance, and cognitive changes. We also go through how Parkinson’s presents in real life — from subtle early symptoms like loss of smell and reduced dexterity, to more advanced disease with falls, hallucinations, and functional decline. A key focus of this episode is learning how to think through differentials, including: * Drug-induced Parkinsonism * Multiple System Atrophy (MSA) * Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (PSP) * Lewy Body Dementia * Essential Tremor We explain how to distinguish these conditions in exams and clinical practice. Finally, we cover investigation and management, including the role of levodopa, dopamine agonists, and key practical points for the wards — such as never stopping Parkinson’s medications abruptly. This episode is designed to help you recognise Parkinson’s, differentiate it safely, and approach it confidently in OSCEs and real clinical settings.