OSCE Mastery — 25 Checklists & One-Page Templates

OSCE Mastery: 25 Checklists & One-Page Templates (Free PDF)

Short, examiner-friendly OSCE checklists and one-page templates to help you ace practicals and clinical stations.

Answer-first: What to do right now

Download the one-page OSCE templates and use them to rehearse stations — 5 minutes per checklist, repeated until fluent. Below are 25 concise checklists grouped by station type plus printable one-pager instructions.

Free sample notes All-21 notes bundle

Why these checklists work

OSCEs test process, communication, and safe practice. Short checklists train the sequence and ensure you don’t miss high-yield clinical steps under time pressure.

25 OSCE checklists (grouped)

History stations (1–6)

1. Chest pain history — OPQRST + risk factors + red flags
2. Shortness of breath — onset, exertional pattern, orthopnea
3. Abdominal pain — site, radiation, bowel/fever clues
4. Headache — red flags for SAH, focal neuro signs
5. Joint pain — inflammatory vs mechanical features
6. Psychiatry screen — suicide risk, mood, sleep, function

Examination stations (7–13)

1. Cardiovascular exam — inspection, palpation, percussion, auscultation
2. Respiratory exam — chest expansion, percussion, auscultation
3. Abdominal exam — inspection, auscultation, percussion, palpation
4. Neurological focal exam — cranial nerves or limb power/sensation
5. Peripheral vascular exam — pulses, capillary refill, ABPI basics
6. MSK joint exam — look, feel, move, function
7. ENT basic exam — otoscopy, oral cavity, nasal exam

Procedural & practical (14–18)

1. Venepuncture — consent, equipment, site, post-care
2. ABG sample — indications, pre-oxygenation, arterial site
3. IV cannulation — asepsis, palpation, tourniquet, secure
4. Catheterisation (male/female) — consent, sterile field, technique
5. Basic suturing — knot, instrument hold, suture technique

Communication & Ethics (19–22)

1. Breaking bad news — SPIKES structure
2. Informed consent — capacity, risks/benefits, alternatives
3. Patient counselling — meds adherence & side effects
4. De-escalation for agitated patient — safety & verbal techniques

Acute & emergency (23–25)

1. Acute shortness of breath — ABC approach, oxygen, immediate causes
2. Chest pain (ACS suspicion) — recognize emergency features, call for senior help and follow the current patient-specific ACS and transfer pathway. MONA is historical shorthand, not an automatic drug bundle; oxygen requires a clinical indication and an appropriate prescribed target range.
3. Seizure post-event management — airway, glucose, meds & referral

How to use the one-page templates

1. Print the one-page template for the station type you’re practising.
2. Run a 5-minute timed station using the checklist as your scorecard.
3. Swap roles with a peer (examiner/actor) and repeat; mark missed items and re-run.

Visit the free sample notes page to see which resources are currently available.

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Top OSCE success tips

• Start with position & consent — examiners check these first.
• Speak your steps aloud (exam-style) — examiners expect commentary on findings.
• Use the 3-line treatment plan: 1) immediate stabilisation 2) initial investigations 3) next steps/referral.
• Practice timed runs — fluency beats hesitation.

Short FAQ

Are these templates allowed in the exam?

These are study aids for practice. Follow your exam centre rules — bringing printed notes into an actual OSCE exam may be restricted.

Where can I find available sample resources?

Visit the free sample notes page to see which resources are currently available.

Resources: Free sample notes & templates | All-21 notes bundle