Meet Dr. Sathya, a newly qualified GP who passed the SCA exam after overcoming significant challenges. In this case study, you’ll learn how he passed SCA.
Failing SCA Exam
Dr. Sathya failed the SCA exam by one mark. It was a devastating experience that left him feeling disappointed. Imagine the hassle and stress of re-sitting SCA all over again. Despite the setback, he braced himself to conquer the SCA exam.
Time Management
Dr. Sathya faced considerable challenges with the 12-minute timeframe. His consultations were initially disorganised and lacked focus. He spent too long in data gathering due to a fear of missing important information. As a result, he didn’t leave sufficient time to complete clinical management.
Trainees often get stung in clinical management because they don’t give themselves enough time to discuss treatment plans, arrange follow-up or provide safety netting advice.
Seeking Support
Realising the need for expert guidance, Dr. Sathya sought personalised support. “I found Dr. Erwin, and his resources, especially the PowerPoint presentations and one-to-one sessions, really helped me.” The 1:1 Coaching provided a tailored plan for his preparation and ongoing support.
Psychosocial Component
Coming from an emergency department background, I was used to fast-paced consultations without much focus on psychosocial factors
Dr. Sathya used to take a hospital-style history and overlooked the psychosocial aspect. “Coming from an emergency department background, I was used to fast-paced consultations without much focus on psychosocial factors,” he explains. With targeted SCA practice and constructive feedback, he learned to integrate PSO elements into his consultations without appearing formulaic.
Managing Uncertainty and Anxiety
Keeping my nerves calm was essential
Handling uncertainty and anxiety was another hurdle for Dr. Sathya. “Keeping my nerves calm was essential,” he says.
Regular practice sessions helped him become more comfortable with unexpected cases. “Active listening and letting patients lead the conversation initially allowed me to manage difficult situations better.”
Integrating Patient’s Health Agenda
Much of Dr. Sathya’s success involved integrating patients’ ideas, concerns, and expectations into his clinical management. “I always ask patients what they are hoping for and then align my management plan with their expectations,” he notes. This approach helped build trust and ensured patient satisfaction.
Allocating Time for Clinical Management
By structuring his history, Dr. Sathya learned to take a targeted history, focusing on relevant information. He used a timer to keep track of his time.
“I dedicated at least four to five minutes to clinical management, as it is heavily weighted in the exam,” he says. He gave himself more time to develop shared decision-making in clinical management. Good time management was crucial to delivering comprehensive care without rushing.
Priming and Handling Multiple Issues
Priming before consultations and handling multiple issues were also key strategies. “When faced with minimal information, I stayed calm and focused on the core issues,” Dr. Sathya explains. This approach helped him manage cases efficiently, even when patients presented multiple concerns.
Mirror the Exam
Dr. Sathya emphasises the importance of practising under exam-like conditions. “Putting yourself under time pressure and practising with various people helps eliminate anxiety and build confidence,” he advises. This strategy was instrumental in his preparation and success.
Reflecting on Results
Dr. Sathya’s hard work paid off with a score of 79.5 in his second attempt at the SCA exam. “I didn’t lose hope after failing the first time. Instead, I focused on my weaknesses while continuing to hone my strengths,” he reflects. His experience highlights the importance of resilience and continuous improvement.
Key Takeaways
Dr. Sathya’s journey offers valuable lessons for IMGs preparing to sit the SCA exam:
- Seek Support: Use comprehensive resources and expert guidance for effective preparation.
- Focus on Psychosocial Aspects: Integrate these elements into your consultations.
- Manage Uncertainty: Stay calm and practice handling unexpected cases.
- Integrate Patient Expectations: Align your management plans with patients’ hopes and concerns.
- Mirror the Exam: Simulate exam conditions to build confidence and improve time management.
