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This course focuses on one of the most challenging aspects of the AMC Clinical Exam: counselling and communication stations. Designed for International Medical Graduates, it provides a clear structure for handling sensitive discussions confidently and compassionately—whether it's breaking bad news, explaining a diagnosis, addressing non-compliance, or navigating ethical dilemmas.

Built around real recalls, this course teaches you how to structure counselling responses using Australian communication norms, patient-centred language, and culturally safe approaches. With practice-ready scripts and examiner-aligned strategies, it helps you move from vague reassurance to precise, professional dialogue.

• Recognise the most common counselling scenarios in the AMC Clinical exam
• Apply structured frameworks for breaking bad news, explaining risks, and managing difficult emotions
• Use appropriate language, tone, and non-verbal communication to build rapport
• Demonstrate insight, empathy, and cultural safety in your responses
• Anticipate examiner expectations and navigate common pitfalls in counselling stations.

• Video-based walkthroughs of high-yield counselling cases
• Real recall cases with model answers and commentary
• Structured communication frameworks (e.g., SPIKES, motivational interviewing)
• Key phrases and strategies for time-limited conversations
• Examiner insights on what makes a counselling station pass vs borderline.

Target Audience: International Medical Graduates preparing for the AMC Clinical Exam who want to improve their counselling skills and handle communication-based stations with confidence and clarity.

Learning Outcomes

• Demonstrate structured, patient-centred approaches to common counselling scenarios in the AMC Clinical Exam
• Apply frameworks such as SPIKES and motivational interviewing to communicate sensitive information effectively
• Recognise the emotional, cultural, and psychosocial dimensions of counselling stations
• Respond empathetically while maintaining clinical clarity and professionalism
• Address ethical and legal considerations such as confidentiality, informed consent, and patient autonomy.

• Breaking bad news (e.g. cancer diagnosis, chronic illness, miscarriage)
• Risk communication (e.g. smoking, alcohol, obesity, medication side effects)
• Poor compliance or non-adherence
• Mental health discussions (e.g. depression, suicide risk, referral to psychologist)
• Child safety, elder abuse, and domestic violence
• Informed consent and shared decision-making for procedures or investigations
• Cultural, language, or health literacy barriers.

• Use clear, non-technical language when explaining medical concepts
• Maintain cultural sensitivity and respect during challenging conversations
• Build rapport and trust, even in time-limited exam settings
• Tailor communication to suit the patient’s emotional state, health literacy, and background
• Demonstrate active listening, validation, and reflective responses.

• Respond confidently to examiner interruptions and prompts
• Manage the 8-minute station effectively without rushing or sounding robotic
• Use verbal and non-verbal techniques to enhance empathy and authority
• Avoid common pitfalls such as over-explaining, missing cues, or being overly directive
• Align communication with AMC domains: Communication, Cultural Safety, Professionalism, and Medical Expertise.

Details

Cost: Varies, depends on your subscription type with Learnmedicine

Disclaimer: Please note, once you click 'Register now' you will be leaving the AMA’s CPD Home website and entering a third-party education provider’s website. If you choose to register for this learning, you will need to provide some of your personal information directly to the third-party education provider. If you have any queries about how third-party education providers use, disclose or store your personal information you should consult their privacy policy.

Upon completion, your CPD activity record may take up to 4 weeks to be reflected on your CPD Home Dashboard.