One Step Ahead

05/03/2017

An excellent General Surgery revision lecture for final year medical students by two great Surgical Registrars!

03/03/2017

Dear all,

This is a short message confirming some details about tomorrow's event; 'Finals Preparation Course'.

Registration will be open at 0830 with coffee and refreshments and a chance to pick up your booklet. The course will aim to start for 0900 and aim to finish by 1700.

All attendees will require registration with Security at:

St George's University of London
Cranmer Terrace
Tooting, London
SW17 0RE

From here, you will be picked up by a member of the organisation and taken to Lecture Theatre A. If you are driving, the parking available is purely pay and display. If you are taking the train, the nearest train station is Tooting Broadway, which is on the Northern Line.

Please let me know if you have any other questions.

Look forward to meeting you all tomorrow.

BW

Senan

27/02/2017

*** LAST CHANCE FOR TICKETS ***

Hey guys,

We hope you're all managing to get some focused revision done for your finals! This is a particularly stressful time for many of you as the stakes are higher than ever before.

We'd like to remind you that this is your last chance to get tickets for the event if you haven't already done so. Remember this course will be just as useful for third and penultimate year students who have medical and surgical exams! Everyone is welcome!

Our offer is £70 for both days and we've put together an extremely useful revision booklet which will be included to ensure your success. Further discounts are available if booked in groups. Lunch, refreshments and plenty of caffeine will also be provided.

This is one course not to miss!

BW

OSA Medics

27/02/2017

*UPDATE*

We are all excited to get Saturday started with our first guest speaker of the day - Senior Interventional Cardiology Registrar who has been involved in both teaching and examining for medical schools across the South Thames Deanery. Perfect opportunity to learn all the tricks needed to answer any ECG question.

For those of you who feel the need to brush up on your surgical knowledge - Sunday will be kick started by our Senior Surgical Registrar who will be teaching you how to approach and answer surgical questions in your upcoming exams.

Promises to be a great day.

BW

OSA Medics

26/02/2017

*** SAMPLE QUESTION 8 ***

Mrs. Smith is a 32 year old lady who presents with a two weeks history of passing red coloured urine, particularly in the morning. She has come to A&E today because she is now getting progressively more short of breath and easily fatigued. She has no past medical problems. Her bloods show an iron deficiency anaemia with a Haemoglobin of 95. All other bloods are within the normal range.

Part A: Based on your presumed diagnosis what is the most accurate diagnostic test for this condition:
A: Bone scan
B: Bone marrow biopsy
C: Flow cytometry
D: Urinary Haemosiderin
E: CT scan of the chest/abdomen/pelvis

Part B: What is the most common cause of death in these patients?
A: Thrombosis
B: Cardiac Arrest
C: Uncontrolled haemorrhage
D: Liver failure
E: Bone marrow failure

25/02/2017

*** SAMPLE QUESTION 7 ***

Mr. Smith is a 65 year old gentleman who had a cholecystectomy two weeks ago. He has now presented with severe right upper abdominal pain and vomiting. His wife has commented that he looks more yellow than usual. He has been eating and drinking well and has had no fevers or rigors.
His bloods are insignificant except for an ALP of 380, ALT of 99 and a Bilirubin of 52.

What is the most important step to definitively manage this patients symptoms?

A: Ultrasound of the abdomen/pelvis
B: MRCP
C: ERCP
D: CT scan of the abdomen / pelvis
E: Cholecystostomy

22/02/2017

*** SAMPLE QUESTION 6 ***

Mr. Smith is a 38 year old gentleman who presents with severe epigastric pain radiating through to the back associated with 6 episodes of vomiting. He was out at his friends birthday last night but does not recall eating anything out of the ordinary. On examination he is tender in the epigastrium with localised guarding. You have taken a set of bloods with the results below:
Hb: 15
WCC: 15.4
Platelets: 421
CRP: 82
Na: 138
K: 4.5
Urea: 6
Creatinine: 54
eGFR: >60
Bilirubin: 9
ALT: 38
ALP: 88
Albumin: 35
Calcium: 1.98
Phosphate: 1.2
Lipase: 3000

Based on your presumed diagnosis, what is the next most appropriate investigation to complete your initial assessment:

A: ABG
B: Erect CXR
C: AXR
D: Ultrasound of the abdomen/pelvis
E: CT scan of the abdomen/pelvis

22/02/2017

*** SAMPLE QUESTION 5 ***

Mrs. Smith is a 80 year old lady with a background of Hypertension, T2DM and COPD. She attends A&E complaining of a five day history of progressive shortness of breath and a productive cough of yellow sputum. On examination there is reduced air entry bilaterally with an expiratory wheeze. The ABG on air is as follows:
pH: 7.28
pCO2: 8.51
pO2: 8.23
HCO3: 32
Lactate: 2.2

What is the most appropriate management of this patient based on the options below?

A: High flow oxygen via non-rebreathe
B: Venturi mask starting at 24%
C: Humidified oxygen through a simple face mask
D: Non-invasive ventilation
E: Nasal cannula aiming saturations at 88-92%

22/02/2017

*** SAMPLE QUESTION 4 ***

Mr. Smith is a 21 year old gentleman who presents with a two day history of abdominal pain. He says the pain started around his belly button and has now localised to his right lower abdomen. On examination he is tender and guarding in the RIF. He is currently pyrexic with a CRP of 120. What is the most appropriate management of this patient?

A: Ultrasound of the abdomen/pelvis
B: CT scan of the abdomen/pelvis
C: Diagnostic laparoscopy
D: Abdominal X-ray
E: MRI small bowel

21/02/2017

** SAMPLE QUESTION 3 ***

A 21 year old man is brought to A&E after being stabbed in the back. He is currently alert and orientated. Basic observations are normal. Neurological examination of the right side reveals an absence of motor activity in the right lower limb with absent reflexes. Neurological examination of the left lower side reveals normal motor activity but a loss of pinprick sensation below the level of the umbilicus. However, sensation to light touch and proprioception is normal on the left side but diminished on the right side. What is the most likely location of the patients injury:

A: Left spinal hemisection at T8
B: Left spinal hemisection at T10
C: Left spinal hemisection at C6
D: Right spinal hemisection at T8
E: Right spinal hemisection at T10
F: Right spinal hemisection at C6

21/02/2017

*** SAMPLE QUESTION 2 ***

Mr. Smith is a 97 year old gentleman with a background of T2DM and previous Vagotomy for reflux disease. He presents with nausea and vomiting within an hour of eating. His latest HbA1c is 12.4%. You are asked to prescribe an appropriate anti-emetic given his likely underlying diagnosis.

A: Metoclopramide
B: Erythromycin
C: Cyclizine
D: Ondansetron
E: Domperidone

21/02/2017

*** SAMPLE QUESTION 1 ***

Mrs. Smith is a 81 year old lady who presents with a collapse. You are told by her husband that one hour previous she was complaining of chest pain radiating through to the back. She has a past medical history of uncontrolled Hypertension on Ramipril, Amlodipine and Bendroflumethiazide. Her observations are as follows: BP 90/40, HR 110, O2: 98% on air, RR: 28, T: 37.5. On auscultation you detect beats which cannot be felt on distal examination of her radial pulse. Her JVP is elevated. Chest is clear with good air entry bilaterally. Which type of pulse pattern would you expect in this patient?

A: Pulsus Alterans
B: Pulsus Paradoxus
C: Pulsus Bigeminus
D: Pulsus Bisferiens
E: Waterhammer Pulse

15/02/2017

Hey guys,

Just a quick update. The presentations for the Medical and Surgical finals courses have been designed by F1/F2 doctors who have ths recently completed their finals examinations. Our team consists of a number of doctors who have graduated from a number of medical universities across the country. The presentation itself will then be studied and delivered by doctors with clinical and teaching experience in that specific field e.g. Consultant Radiologist who works as a college tutor will be teaching the Radiology section for 1 hour based on the final year curriculum.

We are currently at approximately 50% of total ticket sales at the moment. Please remember that booking directly through One Step Ahead will cost you £70 for both days with a detailed booklet given at the beginning of each day. If booked in groups of 4 or more, and paid directly to One Step Ahead tickets will be charged at £65 per person.

Remember this is the only course available that has presentations designed by recent graduates on the final year curriculum but delivered by senior doctors with extensive teaching experience and involvement in designing exam / OSCE scenarios for university examinations.

We look forward to seeing you all in a few weeks!

Best Wishes

One Step Ahead

22/01/2017

One Step Ahead Medics announces:

Finals Preparation Course

This is an interactive two day course which will tackle the important medical and surgical specialties commonly assessed in finals.

This is the only course available that will be taught by a wide range of doctors who have a proven track record and clinical experience in teaching throughout their training.

Look forward to seeing you all soon!

Good luck in the meantime.

OSA Medics

17/01/2017

Dear all,

Firstly, thank you all for coming to the PSA Preparation course and we hope you found it useful!

As promised, the PSA Preparation Booklet has now been emailed to all users through the Eventbrite messaging service. It has taken a lot of time to create, so make the most of it! Remember the PSA expects a basic level of medical knowledge, so don't get bogged down with learning lists after lists, but just be familiar with the type of drugs which we have discussed.

Finally, I have one request from you all and that is to please fill in the survey monkey form (link below). Your feedback really makes a difference and, ultimately, the teaching is for you so if there are things we can change, then please let us know!

https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/SJ2HNXJ

I will be announcing the Finals Preparation Courses and OSCE days in the next 2-3 days so keep an eye out on facebook (www.facebook.com/osamedics) and our website (www.osa-medics.com).

Thanks again for all your support!

Good luck revising and don't hesitate to email me if you have any burning questions prior to your exams.

Best Wishes,

One Step Ahead Medics

Web survey powered by SurveyMonkey.com. Create your own online survey now with SurveyMonkey's expert certified FREE templates.

13/01/2017

Hi Everyone!
General information regarding tomorrow's PSA course:
-Meet outside the main reception on ground floor Hunter wing at 08.30-0900.
-Someone will lead you to lecture theatre F which is on the first floor.
-We will email you a map of the building later on today.
-Snacks will be provided for breakfast. Lunch will be provided too.
-Don't forget to bring a pen and paper.

See you all tomorrow!

OSA Medics

04/01/2017

Hey everyone!

We hope you all had a good break over Christmas, but now it's time to get you ready for your upcoming exams!

We are into the last 20 tickets for the PSA Preparation Course and all discounted ticket sales will be stopped from the end of the week, so this is your last chance to make the most out of the discounted prices.

If you have any specific topics within Prescribing that you would like us to cover, let us know, otherwise the whole course is based on the PSA curriculum anyway.

We look forward to seeing you all soon.

BW

OSA Medics

22/12/2016

Hey everyone,

First of all, I hope everyone is having a nice time off for the Christmas break and new year!

Secondly, to those of you who have bought tickets, a basic knowledge of prescribing would really be of benefit to make the most out of this course!

For the rest of you, use this time to get your tickets, we are currently running at 50% of all ticket sales and expect to stop selling tickets within the next two weeks.

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Look forward to seeing you all in 2017!

BW

OSA Medics

12/12/2016

PSA Update:

*LIMITED TIME OFFER*

For a limited time only we are offering discounts on group bookings with up to £7 off per ticket if booked with friends. Offer only available until 18th December 2016!

Please visit the Eventbrite website for information on how to book.

We look forward to seeing you all in January!

OSA Medics

17/11/2016

IMPORTANT UPDATE:

Hey everyone,

All attendees should have received an email today from admin@osa-medics.com. This has information regarding registration details.

It is vital that if you have not received the email, you send a message to admin@osa-medics ASAP.

It is with great pleasure that we would like to announce that One Step Ahead Medics has partnerered with the Medical Protection Society. They have great deals on FY1 membership - costing £10 for the whole year. This not only includes an opportunity for advice and representation, but you are also entitled to a free SJT mock paper. Please see the blurb below:

"Final and penultimate year medics, have you signed up for your FY1 membership yet? Don’t delay, get it for just £10 for the entire year.

You’ll receive a FREE Oxford handbook and have access to a FREE SJT revision mock paper and 18 FREE OSCE revision resources covering a wide range of topics. Find out for info here https://www.medicalprotection.org/uk/for-members/students/online-learning-and-revision"

I look forward to seeing you all on Saturday.

BW

OSA Medics

Online learning and revision for medical students

15/11/2016

Hey everyone,

Only a few more days until the SJT Preparation Course!

There are only TEN tickets remaining and ticket sales will be closing by Friday morning..

The presentation has been finalised and reviewed by our panel of doctors.

I hope you are excited for an insightful SJT course. Do not despair, coffee will be provided first thing in the morning.

Look forward to meeting you all!

One Step Ahead Medics

04/11/2016

Hey everyone,

I hope SJT Preparation is going well for you all.

Our recommendation is, at this stage, to focus on the sample questions and answers as available from the UKFPO. Ensure you understand the focus of each question and what they're trying to assess before reading the answer. This will help when you order your answers.

We're almost two weeks away from the SJT Preparation Course. This will be an interactive session as SJT scenarios do tend to stimulate some debate amongst the crowd!

We look forward to seeing you all.

BW

One Step Ahead

22/10/2016

Hey everyone,

We are near to three weeks away from our first SJT course with a vast number of novel questions which will accurately resemble the types of questions which you will see in your examination. All answers will be backed up with a combination of previous clinical experience, as well as with up-to-date GMC guidance / MDU advice.

We are into our last 25 tickets now. We strongly advise you not to miss out! It is a course guaranteed to help you adequately prepare for your exam.

Please let us know if you have any questions.

One Step Ahead Medics

03/10/2016

SJT Announcement:

The answers for the 'SJT Teaser 2' have all been sent out to your personal email addresses.

If you have not received this email please email admin@osa-medics.com.

Please let me know if you have any other questions!

See you all soon!

One Step Ahead Medics

22/09/2016

SJT Teaser 2:

You are an F1 Doctor working in the Paediatric department at your local hospital. A few weeks ago, there was a sudden death of a patient on the ward which turned out to be your Consultants relative. Unfortunately, you don’t have a very good relationship with this particular Consultant but you notice that she has become very distressed by the incident and notice over the following week that she becomes more withdrawn, looks tired and very distracted. Earlier on in the week you smelt alcohol on her breath during the ward round but thought this was just a one-off. However, you have noticed this has become a recurring trend and she has now made two minor drug errors on todays ward round. You know you should do something about it but you don’t want to get her into trouble as she is known as one of the difficult consultants.

Rank in order the following actions in response to this situation (1 = Most appropriate; 5 = Least appropriate):

A. Approach the Consultant directly on the ward round and let her know that you can smell alcohol on her breath and its advisable that she goes home before she makes any dangerous mistakes.
B. Speak to your Clinical Supervisor who works in the same department about your concerns and how to escalate to protect your patients.
C. Speak to your Educational Supervisor who works in the Surgical department about your concerns and how to escalate to protect your patients
D. You have a discussion with your junior colleagues and you decide to monitor the Consultants drug prescriptions and escalate if you witness another error.
E. Speak directly to the GMC and alert them to the situation as this is the only way things can really be sorted.

Answers will be emailed to all students registered for our November event!

15/09/2016

Hey guys,

Quick update: The first batch of Eventbrite tickets have now sold out. We have just relaunched another set. Be aware that these are one of last sets to go on sale. This means we are now close to reaching capacity for the event.

Please make sure you get your tickets quickly! The event promises to give you the added confidence and knowledge you need to get you those extra points in your FPAS application.

All our questions are created within our team of doctors ranging from F1s to Consultants with all answers based on the current GMC guidelines.

For those of you have paid, I hope you have all received a detailed answer to the first SJT Teaser to your email addresses.

The next teaser will be released shortly with answers emailed to all students attending the event in November.

See you all soon!

OSA Medics

30/08/2016

SJT Teaser:

You are a FY1 Doctor working in a busy medical ward at the beginning of your night shift. Earlier on in the day, your colleague was asked to prescribe a broad spectrum antibiotic to cover both a urine and chest infection. He decided to go with Co-Amoxiclav without checking the patients allergy status. Unfortunately, upon prescribing the antibiotic, the patient is given an initial dose before a nurse on the night shift recognises the patients has a proven true allergy to Penicillin. You are bleeped to review the situation. The patient is fine and has had no adverse effects from the antibiotic prescription.

Rank in order the following actions in response to this situation (1= Most appropriate; 5= Least appropriate)

A. Immediately cancel the prescription, apologise to the patient for the error that was made, document your discussion with the patient in the notes and ask the nurse to write a 'DATIX'.
B. The patient has had no adverse reaction to the antibiotic so continue to give the antibiotic with regular observations throughout the night.
C. Immediately cancel the prescription, use the antibiotic guidelines on the intranet to find a suitable alternative, document the error that was made and inform your colleague of the mistake he has made so he can apologise to the patient himself.
D. The patient has had no adverse reaction to the antibiotic so continue to give the antibiotic without further need for increased observations.
E. Immediately cancel the prescription and continue with the rest of your jobs.

ANSWERS with explanations will be sent to all registered email addresses.