What counselling stations test
The AMC Clinical is 16 assessed stations plus rest stations: 2 minutes of reading, then 8 minutes in the station. Fourteen stations are scored, and a pass needs a pass on 9 or more of them. Each station gets a global rating on a 7-point scale, informed by 2 to 5 key steps and 3 to 5 assessment domains. Read how the AMC Clinical is marked for the detail.
The patient counselling and education domain asks for an explanation of the diagnosis and options, addressing concerns, checking understanding and agreeing a plan. Approach to the patient is marked alongside it.
A structure for explanation
- Find out what the patient already knows and wants to know.
- Give information in small pieces, in plain words.
- Check understanding after each key point.
- Address their concerns by name.
- Agree a plan, give written information and arrange follow-up.
Our AMC Clinical communication guide covers SPIKES, teach-back and interpreters in detail.
Common counselling stations
| Station | Key messages |
|---|---|
| New diagnosis of diabetes | What it is, lifestyle, medicines, monitoring, complications, support |
| Starting warfarin or a DOAC | Why, bleeding signs, interactions, monitoring |
| Abnormal screening result | What the result means and does not mean, next steps |
| Breaking bad news | Warning shot, clear words, emotion, plan |
| Lifestyle change | Motivational approach, specific achievable goals |
| Medicine refusal | Explore reasons, respect autonomy, give information |
Motivational interviewing in 8 minutes
- Ask permission to discuss the behaviour.
- Explore what the patient sees as pros and cons.
- Reflect their reasons for change.
- Support a specific plan they choose.
- Arrange follow-up.
Worked station: new type 2 diabetes
Station walk-through · Counselling and education
Candidate brief: A 52-year-old taxi driver has just been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. Explain the diagnosis and initial management (8 minutes).
| Time | What to do |
|---|---|
| 0:00 to 1:00 | Introduce; ask what he knows and his concerns |
| 1:00 to 3:00 | Explain diabetes simply and why it matters |
| 3:00 to 5:30 | Lifestyle, metformin, monitoring, annual cycle of care, diabetes educator and dietitian |
| 5:30 to 7:00 | Driving and hypoglycaemia advice relevant to his job |
| 7:00 to 8:00 | Teach-back, written information, follow-up |
Where candidates lose marks: lecturing without checking understanding and ignoring his job as a driver.
Using the 2 minutes of reading time
- Read the setting: general practice, ward, emergency department or telehealth changes what is realistic.
- Underline each task and its time allocation, and plan your 8 minutes to match.
- Note the patient's age, sex and any cue in the brief (a medicine, an occupation, a family member present).
- Write a short list of the 3 diagnoses you must separate and the one dangerous condition you must not miss.
- In a counselling station, write the 2 or 3 key messages the patient must leave with.
- Decide your opening sentence so you start calmly.
Check the current AMC candidate information for what you may bring or write during reading time. Whatever you plan, keep it short: there is no time to read a long list in the room.
High-yield stations to prepare
Counselling stations run through every discipline, so practise them as a skill rather than a topic.
| Station | Likely task | Key step examiners look for |
|---|---|---|
| New type 2 diabetes | Medicine | Plain explanation and specific lifestyle advice |
| Starting anticoagulation | Medicine | Bleeding signs and adherence |
| Consent for cholecystectomy | Surgery | Material risks and alternatives |
| Explaining a bowel cancer diagnosis | Surgery | Breaking bad news |
| Positive cervical screening result | Women's health | Explaining HPV and next steps |
| Screening in early pregnancy | Women's health | Informed choice |
| Parent hesitant about vaccines | Child health | Respectful exploration |
| New type 1 diabetes in a child | Child health | Hypoglycaemia plan |
| Panic attacks | Mental health | Explaining CBT |
| Open disclosure | Ethics | Apology and the facts |
A one-week practice plan
| Day | Practice |
|---|---|
| Day 1 | Read the structure on this page and run 2 counselling stations untimed with a partner |
| Day 2 | Run 3 stations with the 2-minute reading timer and an 8-minute station timer |
| Day 3 | Record 2 stations on your phone; watch for jargon, interruptions and missed tasks |
| Day 4 | Swap roles: play the patient and the examiner, marking against the checklist |
| Day 5 | Run 3 new stations back to back with a 2-minute gap, as on exam day |
| Day 6 | Repeat the stations where your global rating was below 4 |
| Day 7 | Rest, then review your notes on the common mistakes below |
Our station bank lets you filter by discipline and station type, so you can follow this plan for each area of the exam.
Common counselling mistakes
- Jargon and long monologues.
- Avoiding the word cancer.
- Reassurance without information.
- Not checking understanding.
- No clear plan or follow-up.
Practise these as timed stations with a partner playing the patient and another marking against the checklist. Each of our counselling stations has a candidate brief, role-player script, examiner notes, marking checklist and a model approach.
Free sample counselling and education stations
Candidate briefs from our AMC Clinical station bank. Read the task, plan your 8 minutes, then open the marking checklist.
Positive cervical screening result (8 minutes)
You are a GP. Ms Amelia Hart, 34, has come for the result of her Cervical Screening Test.
Result: oncogenic HPV 16 detected. Reflex liquid-based cytology: possible low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion.
Task: explain the result and next steps to Ms Hart (8 minutes).
Show the marking checklist
- Checks what she knows and prepares her for the result
- Explains the result: HPV type 16 found, with minor cell changes (critical)
- Explains HPV is very common, can stay dormant for years, and does not imply infidelity (critical)
- Explains this is not a cancer diagnosis; screening finds changes early
- Explains HPV 16/18 means referral for colposcopy regardless of cytology (critical)
- Describes colposcopy simply: what happens, possible biopsy
- Addresses future pregnancy: most treatments do not prevent pregnancy
- Mentions follow-up and possible treatment if high-grade changes found
- Addresses partner and vaccination questions accurately
- Checks understanding, gives written information and arranges referral
The full station adds the role-player script, examiner notes and a model approach.
New diagnosis of type 2 diabetes (8 minutes)
You are a GP. Mr Tevita Fifita, 48, a bus driver, has returned for results.
Results: HbA1c 7.6% (60 mmol/mol); repeat HbA1c 7.4% (57 mmol/mol); fasting glucose 8.1 mmol/L; eGFR 92; urine albumin:creatinine ratio normal; total cholesterol 5.8 mmol/L. BMI 33. BP 136/84.
Task: explain the diagnosis and discuss an initial management plan with Mr Fifita (8 minutes).
The role-player script, examiner notes, marking checklist and model approach open with a plan.
Practise counselling and education stations free
Every counselling and education station in our bank
The bank holds 26 counselling and education stations across 6 specialties: Adult Medicine (4), Adult Surgery (2), Child Health (4), Ethics and Professionalism (8), Mental Health (3), Women's Health (5). Each one has a candidate brief, role-player script, examiner notes, marking checklist and model approach.
- Positive cervical screening resultWomen's Health · free
- A 15-year-old asking for contraceptionEthics and Professionalism
- Acute gout and long-term treatmentAdult Medicine
- Adverse event: wrong-site injectionEthics and Professionalism
- Alcohol use and brief interventionMental Health
- Asthma: spacer and action planChild Health
- Consent for laparoscopic cholecystectomyAdult Surgery
- Explaining a diagnosis of bowel cancerAdult Surgery
- Febrile seizure: talking to a parentChild Health
- Gestational diabetes diagnosisWomen's Health
- Impaired colleagueEthics and Professionalism
- Long-acting contraceptionWomen's Health
- Menopause symptoms and hormone therapyWomen's Health
- New diagnosis of osteoporosisAdult Medicine
- New diagnosis of type 2 diabetesAdult Medicine
- New type 1 diabetes in a childChild Health
- Older driver with memory problemsEthics and Professionalism
- Open disclosure of a medication errorEthics and Professionalism
- Panic attacksMental Health
- Parent hesitant about vaccinesChild Health
- Refusing a blood transfusionEthics and Professionalism
- Request for sleeping tabletsMental Health
- Screening options in early pregnancyWomen's Health
- Starting anticoagulation for atrial fibrillationAdult Medicine
- Telephone advice: confidentiality requestEthics and Professionalism
- Wanting to leave against medical adviceEthics and Professionalism
Common questions
How much information should I give in a counselling station?
Two or three key messages, explained clearly and checked, are better than a long list.
Can I draw diagrams?
Yes, if you explain as you draw.
What if the patient gets emotional?
Pause, acknowledge the feeling, allow silence and then continue at their pace.
Sources
Clinical content is summarised from current Australian guidance at the date above. Guidelines change, so always check the latest edition.