PLAB 2 GMC Good Medical Practice & Professional Standards 3

Question 1

A doctor is asked by a medical research team to access clinical records of their own patients to identify potential research participants without patient consent. What should the doctor do?

Accepted Answer

Decline to provide identifiable data without patient consent or appropriate ethical and legal authority

Answer

Provide anonymised summaries only, as these do not breach confidentiality

Answer

Assist the research team as advancing medical knowledge is in the public interest

Answer

Consult with hospital management and share the data if management approve

Question 2

What does the GMC mean by 'working collaboratively' with colleagues?

Accepted Answer

Communicating clearly, treating colleagues with respect, contributing to team work, and supporting the development of less experienced colleagues

Answer

Ensuring all clinical decisions are ratified by at least two doctors to reduce individual liability

Answer

Deferring all clinical decisions to the most senior member of the team

Answer

Avoiding conflict with colleagues by always agreeing with their clinical opinions

Question 3

A patient complains formally about the care they received from a doctor. According to GMC guidance, how should the doctor respond?

Accepted Answer

Engage with the complaints process honestly and constructively, and use the experience to reflect and improve practice

Answer

Avoid direct contact with the complaining patient to prevent escalation of the situation

Answer

Respond only through a solicitor to protect themselves from potential legal liability

Answer

Provide a written response that focuses on defending their actions without acknowledging any concerns

Question 4

Under GMC guidance, what is a doctor's responsibility when delegating tasks to other healthcare professionals?

Accepted Answer

The delegating doctor must ensure the person they delegate to has the skills, knowledge and experience to carry out the task safely

Answer

Once a task is delegated, all responsibility transfers entirely to the person carrying out the task

Answer

Delegation is only permitted to doctors of the same or higher grade

Answer

Delegation requires written consent from the patient specifying who will perform the task

Question 5

A doctor discovers that a colleague has been falsifying patient records to cover up a clinical error. What is the most appropriate action?

Accepted Answer

Report the concern to the clinical governance team, medical director or via the trust's whistleblowing policy without delay

Answer

Speak to the colleague first and give them the opportunity to correct the records before escalating

Answer

Document your own observations but take no further action as it may damage the colleague's career

Answer

Seek legal advice before taking any action to protect yourself from being implicated

Question 6

What is the GMC's guidance regarding a doctor treating a member of their immediate family?

Accepted Answer

Wherever possible, avoid treating family members and ensure they are registered with and seen by another doctor

Answer

Treating family members is acceptable provided the doctor documents the relationship in the notes

Answer

Treating family members is acceptable for minor conditions but not for serious illness

Answer

Doctors may treat any family member as long as a chaperone is present for all consultations

Question 7

A doctor is involved in a significant adverse event. The trust's risk management team asks the doctor to write a reflective account for the Serious Incident review. What does GMC guidance state about this?

Accepted Answer

Reflective accounts written for governance purposes are protected under duty of candour and should be honest and learning-focused

Answer

Doctors should decline to write personal reflective accounts as these could be used against them in legal proceedings

Answer

The reflective account should focus on system failures only and avoid any personal acknowledgement of error

Answer

Reflective accounts are voluntary and have no bearing on the doctor's GMC fitness to practise assessment