Collusion

When a relative asks you to withhold a diagnosis from a patient (often "Don’t tell Mum it’s cancer"). It conflicts with the patient’s right to information.

Handle collusion by exploring the relative’s fears empathetically, explaining you cannot lie to a patient who wants the truth, and finding a way forward together — a classic PLAB 2 ethics scenario.

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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