OSCE Communication Skills 3

Question 1

A patient asks you to keep their diagnosis secret from their spouse. What is the ethically appropriate response?

Accepted Answer

Respect the patient's confidentiality while clarifying any legal exceptions

Answer

Confidentiality is a patient right, though clinicians must inform patients of legal exceptions such as mandatory reporting.

Question 2

Which type of question is most effective for opening a patient interview?

Accepted Answer

'What brings you in today?'

Answer

Open-ended questions like 'What brings you in today?' allow patients to express concerns in their own words without anchoring their response.

Question 3

You are running behind schedule and a patient begins an elaborate social history. The best approach is to:

Accepted Answer

Listen briefly, acknowledge, then gently refocus with a bridging statement

Answer

A brief, empathetic bridging statement allows redirection without dismissing the patient's concerns.

Question 4

When communicating with an angry patient, which approach is most therapeutic?

Accepted Answer

Remain calm, validate their frustration, and explore the underlying concern

Answer

Staying calm, validating feelings, and identifying the root cause of anger is the most effective de-escalation strategy.

Question 5

A patient refuses to make eye contact and gives one-word answers. Which non-verbal communication adjustment is most appropriate?

Accepted Answer

Lower your body to the patient's level and reduce physical barriers

Answer

Reducing physical barriers and matching body level communicates openness and reduces hierarchical distance.

OSCE Practice Test