So many of the IMGs that I work with are masters at taking a patient history and physical. Their questions flow with ease and finesse, making the interaction feel natural and conversational which is exactly what NAC-OSCE examiners want to see. But one crucial type of question in taking a patient-centered history is often missed: asking the patient if they can offer further details by providing a specific example related to their symptom(s) and/or everyday health.

Here are a few examples:

- "You mentioned that you experience chest pain and shortness of breath when you're active, can you give me a specific example of when this happens?"

- "You've said that you eat a balanced diet, would you mind describing what you typically eat in a day?"

- "You've said that you've noticed some changes in your son, can you give me an example of why you think your son is behaving differently?

- "You've indicated that your knee is locking all the time, can you give me an example of when your knee locks?"

- "You've said that baby Alex cries all the time, could you run through a typical day with them so I can get a better idea of your daily routine?

All cases in the NAC-OSCE are very detailed and thorough, so don't hesitate to ask the patient to provide an example when you pick-up on a cue that requires further clarification. Capturing the patient's perspective is paramount to succeed in the NAC-OSCE.

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