CASC Communication Skills Stations

Communication skills are tested across all CASC stations. Learn the frameworks and techniques that separate passing candidates from those who fail.

Overview

Communication skills are the thread that runs through every CASC station. Dedicated communication stations may focus on breaking bad news, explaining a diagnosis or treatment, managing an angry or distressed patient, or conducting motivational interviewing. However, your communication is assessed in every station — rapport, empathy, clarity, and professionalism all contribute to your marks.

Key Skills Assessed

Breaking bad news using the SPIKES framework
Explaining diagnoses in patient-friendly language
Managing angry or distressed patients with de-escalation
Motivational interviewing techniques
Psychoeducation for patients and families
Managing non-adherence to treatment

Recommended Framework

Establish Rapport

Warm greeting, appropriate body language, empathic opening

Assess Understanding

Find out what the patient already knows or expects

Deliver Information

Use clear language, chunk information, check understanding after each chunk

Respond to Emotion

Acknowledge feelings, validate concerns, allow silence

Negotiate & Plan

Involve the patient in decision-making, agree next steps

Summarise & Close

Review key points, provide written information if available, arrange follow-up

Example Exam Scenarios

Explain a diagnosis of schizophrenia to a newly diagnosed patient

Break the news of a dementia diagnosis to a patient's relative

Manage an angry patient who wants to leave hospital against advice

Conduct motivational interviewing with a patient with alcohol dependence

Common Mistakes to Avoid

✕Delivering too much information at once without checking understanding
✕Using medical jargon instead of patient-friendly language
✕Not allowing enough silence after delivering difficult news
✕Becoming defensive with angry patients instead of acknowledging their feelings
✕Forgetting to ask about the patient's expectations or concerns

Examiner Tips

Show genuine empathy — examiners can tell if you're performing vs feeling it
With angry patients: acknowledge, validate, explore underlying concerns
When explaining diagnoses, always ask "What questions do you have?" rather than "Do you understand?"
Use the ICE framework (Ideas, Concerns, Expectations) to explore the patient's perspective

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