Independent NAC OSCE preparation by BoardQBank
Important: Exam dates, fees and policies can change. Verify time-sensitive details on the official Medical Council of Canada website.
Cross-cutting module

Communication, Ethics & Professionalism

Patient-centred communication and Canadian professional standards embedded in every station.

Module objectives

By the end of this module, you should be able to gather focused information, identify the most likely and most dangerous diagnoses, choose appropriate investigations, begin safe management and communicate the plan clearly.

Core presentations

Complete topic guide

Breaking bad news

Open the focused 11-minute framework with red flags, targeted assessment, investigations, management, related stations and safety-netting.

Open guide →
Complete topic guide

Informed consent

Open the focused 11-minute framework with red flags, targeted assessment, investigations, management, related stations and safety-netting.

Open guide →
Complete topic guide

Capacity and substitute decision-making

Open the focused 11-minute framework with red flags, targeted assessment, investigations, management, related stations and safety-netting.

Open guide →
Complete topic guide

Confidentiality

Open the focused 11-minute framework with red flags, targeted assessment, investigations, management, related stations and safety-netting.

Open guide →
Complete topic guide

Adolescent confidentiality

Open the focused 11-minute framework with red flags, targeted assessment, investigations, management, related stations and safety-netting.

Open guide →
Complete topic guide

Treatment refusal

Open the focused 11-minute framework with red flags, targeted assessment, investigations, management, related stations and safety-netting.

Open guide →
Complete topic guide

Medical-error disclosure

Open the focused 11-minute framework with red flags, targeted assessment, investigations, management, related stations and safety-netting.

Open guide →
Complete topic guide

Interpreter use

Open the focused 11-minute framework with red flags, targeted assessment, investigations, management, related stations and safety-netting.

Open guide →
Complete topic guide

Cultural humility

Open the focused 11-minute framework with red flags, targeted assessment, investigations, management, related stations and safety-netting.

Open guide →
Complete topic guide

Goals of care

Open the focused 11-minute framework with red flags, targeted assessment, investigations, management, related stations and safety-netting.

Open guide →
Complete topic guide

Motivational interviewing

Open the focused 11-minute framework with red flags, targeted assessment, investigations, management, related stations and safety-netting.

Open guide →
Complete topic guide

Mandatory reporting

Open the focused 11-minute framework with red flags, targeted assessment, investigations, management, related stations and safety-netting.

Open guide →

Expected station skills

  • Introduce role and confirm identity
  • Set an agenda
  • Use open then focused questions
  • Name and validate emotion
  • Check understanding with teach-back
  • Close with a clear plan and safety net
Module drill: For each presentation, state the leading diagnosis, the dangerous alternative, one discriminating question, one discriminating examination finding and the first action if the patient is unstable.

Red flags and escalation

  • Coercion
  • Lack of capacity
  • Immediate safety risk
  • Abuse or neglect
  • Privacy breach
  • Failure to disclose urgent findings

Station rehearsal template

  1. Read the task and identify the required output.
  2. Open professionally and establish the agenda.
  3. Gather focused positive and negative findings.
  4. Summarize and prioritize the differential.
  5. State investigations and management in a safe sequence.
  6. Address the patient’s concerns and understanding.
  7. Close with disposition, follow-up and safety-netting.

Suggested complete 11-minute stations