Rectal bleeding history-taking station

Rectal bleeding stations combine a safety-critical history with a patient who may be embarrassed. The examiner wants sensitive rapport alongside thorough red-flag screening.

How to structure it

• Put the patient at ease and acknowledge the sensitive nature of the topic.
• Characterise the bleeding: colour, mixed with stool or on the paper, duration.
• Screen for red flags — change in bowel habit, weight loss, family history of bowel cancer.
• Cover associated symptoms, past history and relevant social history.

Common pitfalls

• Letting the patient’s embarrassment lead to a rushed, incomplete history.
• Assuming haemorrhoids and missing red flags.
• Forgetting to ask about change in bowel habit and weight.

Examiners reward sensitivity, thorough red-flag screening, and recognising when an urgent referral is warranted.