Why being scripted doesn’t work in PLAB2?

Don’t get us wrong- scripts work, being scripted doesn’t. Scripts are to give you frameworks, a structure to consultations and an example of how stations look and feel like. Anyone who tells you to memorize scripts is giving you the wrong guidance.

Being scripted makes you sound robotic

Consultations are about interpersonal skills and interpersonal skills need that empathy and the humane touch. Mugging up a script and speaking out dialogues works only if the person in front of you has the same script and you are a great actor. Both of them aren’t the case here so you may just end up sounding robotic.

Being scripted can make you go blank

If you follow a script, your mind naturally follows the order of the script and if you do not get the response you expect, you may feel lost and go blank.

Being scripted makes you lose the ‘you’

Scripts make you lose your individuality and you become just one of many saying the same thing. Your individuality, your nuances make you unique.

Use scripts as references

Scripts are super useful but you need to know how to use them. Use them as references, to know how to frame a consultation and how to handle various situations. Use them to practice, don’t use them to mug up dialogues for the final day.

Make scripts your own

Once you understand the framework, customize it to your style. For example, if a particular situation warrants empathy, you don’t necessarily have to say ‘I’m so sorry about your situation’ if that is not something you would naturally say because if you do, it will definitely sound artificial. If ‘Oh, Oh, I ‘m sorry’ or just a head nod and a bit of silence is how you respond, it may just do the trick.  

Trust your instincts, trust yourself

The exam conditions are simulated, the patients are actors and not real patients and you know that-nevertheless, act as if you would in your daily medical practice. Treat the role player as a real player, and trust your instincts just like you usually do. Maintain confidence in yourself and your clinical abilities and you will do just fine!