| From September, 2003, a new station
has been added to the part 3 MRCOphth to test the ability of the doctors
to communicate with patients. The candidates are asked to engage in role-playing
with the patients some of whom may be actors or actresses. The topics are
usually related to explaining an ophthalmic problem in a layman term, breaking
bad news or discussing ethical problem. This part of the examination is
still in its infancy and no doubt with time some of the scenarios may become
common and will appear consistently. It is important to remember that this
station is a test of your communication skill and no your knowledge of
the subject (For example, if you were asked to break the news to a patient
with poor vision due to age-related macular degeneration, you should concentrate
on driving, low visual aids and treatment options; instead of concentrating
solely on the latest development of photodynamic therapy and trials such
as VIP or TAP). You need to play this part of the examination with sensitivity
and empathy.
It can be difficult for some candidates
to play the role in such a contrived environment and consequently the candidates
may appear rigid and cold. The best way to approach the station is to imagine
that you are in a clinical setting and how you would normally speak to
the patients. It is suggested that you shake the hands of the patients
warmly at the beginning, adopt the appropriate facial expression when conveying
bad news (avoid unnecessary smiling so that you can appear serious but
caring), maintain eye contact and if necessary touch the patient on the
shoulder to show your empathy or offer the patient a box of tissue if she
appears in tear (some actresses may be very good in the examination and
you have to play the game to keep up).
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