Bolam and Bolitho tests

Legal tests for clinical negligence: the Bolam test asks whether a responsible body of doctors would support the action, and Bolitho requires that view to be logically defensible.

These tests define the standard of care for negligence (distinct from consent, governed by Montgomery). A working awareness helps with medico-legal discussion points.

More glossary terms

ABCDE approachA systematic method for assessing and treating an acutely unwell patient — Airway, Breathing, Circulation, Disability, Exposure — dealing with each before moving on.
AMPLE historyA focused emergency history — Allergies, Medications, Past history, Last meal, Events — taken quickly in acute situations.
ARCPThe annual assessment that decides whether a doctor in training has met the competencies to progress to the next stage.
AVPU scaleA rapid way to grade consciousness — Alert, responds to Voice, responds to Pain, Unresponsive — used in initial assessment.

Put it into practice

Rehearse PLAB 2 stations with AI simulated patients and get structured feedback after every consultation.

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