Tips to excel in your OET exam

OET General introduction

Occupational English test, after COVID 19 has replaced the traditional CS which is the “Clinical Skills”…. To meet the clinical and communication skills requirements for ECFMG Certification, every applicant must pass it If they are planning to participate in the National Resident Matching Program® (NRMP®) Main Residency Match® (The Match®), NRMP also requires that you have passing results on USMLE Step 1 and Step 2 Clinical Knowledge (CK) that are valid for ECFMG Certification, and that those results are available by the NRMP Rank Order List Certification deadline, among other requirements.

OET has 4 subtests: LRWS:
1- Listening
2- Reading

3- Writing 4- Speaking

SPEAKING the first sub-test the applicant will be doing…

Be the one to Start the case by introducing yourself briefly with your name, title, and role in simple terms.
invite him or her to introduce themselves by asking them about their preferred way of address and the reason for their visit today.

1-Be patient-centered and empathetic in your approach
2- Start with open questions first then be more specific with closed questions for precision like an inverted pyramid
3- Do not interrupt your patient, give them time to tell you how they feel
4- Demonstrate empathy while:
A) Reassuring
B) Explaining
C) Persuading
D) Asking questions starting by Open Questions which play a crucial role in communication by encouraging deeper and more thoughtful responses. Unlike closed questions, which typically elicit short or yes/no answers, open questions invite the other person to share more detailed information, feelings, or opinions. Here are some key roles open questions serve in communication:

1. **Foster Engagement**: Open questions stimulate conversation, encouraging the other person to participate actively.
2. **Gather Information**: They help gather more comprehensive insights, especially in

problem-solving or understanding someone’s perspective.

3. **Build Relationships**: By allowing people to express themselves freely, open questions foster trust and connection.
4. **Promote Reflection**: They encourage the responder to think critically or reflect on their experiences, leading to more meaningful exchanges.
5. **Encourage Collaboration**: Open questions can lead to brainstorming and collaborative discussions, particularly in team settings.

This type of questioning is particularly valuable in fields like healthcare, counseling, or leadership, where understanding nuances is critical.

In a medical setting, open questions are particularly valuable for doctors when interacting with patients. They enable more effective communication, which is essential for understanding the patient’s concerns and providing appropriate care. Here’s how open questions help:

1. **Encourage Detailed Descriptions**: Open questions like “Can you tell me more about how you’re feeling?” allow patients to describe their symptoms in detail, which can help the doctor better understand the condition.
2. **Build Trust and Rapport**: When doctors ask open questions, it shows patients that their thoughts and feelings matter. This can build trust and create a comfortable environment for the patient to share sensitive or personal information.
3. **Uncover Hidden Issues**: Open questions can reveal underlying concerns or issues that the patient may not mention if only asked closed, symptom-focused questions. For example, “What else is going on in your life that may be affecting your health?”
4. **Promote Patient-Centered Care**: By using open questions, doctors allow patients to express their priorities and perspectives, which supports a more collaborative approach to healthcare.
5. **Improve Diagnostic Accuracy**: Open questions can lead to a fuller understanding of the patient’s health history and context, helping to avoid misdiagnoses based on incomplete information.

This approach enhances the patient-doctor relationship and often leads to better outcomes, as patients feel heard and understood.