PLAB 2 communication with colleagues stations: a complete guide

Not every PLAB 2 station involves a patient. Colleague stations — telephone handovers, escalations, and conversations about a struggling or underperforming colleague — test whether you can communicate safely and professionally within a team, often under time pressure.

What these stations test

Clear, structured communication; appropriate escalation; teamwork; and the professionalism to raise concerns while keeping patient safety first. Telephone scenarios add the challenge of communicating without visual cues.

Use SBAR for handover and escalation

For any handover or escalation, a structured tool keeps you crisp and safe:

• Situation — who you are, the patient, and the immediate problem.
• Background — the relevant clinical context, briefly.
• Assessment — the observations and your level of concern.
• Recommendation — a clear, specific request and a timeframe.

Raising concerns about a colleague

When a station involves a colleague who is late, struggling or behaving unprofessionally, raise it supportively and non-judgementally, explore the reasons, and put patient safety first — escalating appropriately if needed. This reflects the professionalism expected in the GMC’s Good Medical Practice.

Common pitfalls

• Burying the key concern in background detail.
• Failing to make an explicit request when escalating.
• Backing down when a busy senior pushes back.
• Being accusatory rather than supportive with a struggling colleague.

Practise telephone handovers and colleague conversations on ZWIP, and use the feedback to sharpen your SBAR structure and your assertiveness about patient safety.