The situational judgment test
BMJ 2016; 355 doi: https://doi.org/10.1136/sbmj.i4237 (Published 08 December 2016) Cite this as: BMJ 2016;355:i4237
- Matt Morgan, clinical lead
- OnExamination, BMJ
If you’re a final year medical student, you will no doubt be gearing up to take the situational judgment test in December 2016 and January 2017. The following questions are taken from OnExamination’s situational judgment test bank of questions.
Other Student BMJ articles in this series on the SJT
Dixon J. How to answer questions in the situational judgment test. Student BMJ 2015;23:h3756, doi:10.1136/sbmj.h3756.
Dixon J. Advice on how to ace the situational judgment test. Student BMJ 2015;23:h3736, doi:10.1136/sbmj.h3736.
Dixon J. Reviews of revision aids for the situational judgment test. Student BMJ 2015;23:h4279, doi: 10.1136/sbmj.h4279.
Ranking questions
Question 1—under the influence
You are working as a doctor in hospital and are arrested after being involved in a minor motor vehicle incident and tested positive for alcohol intoxication. You plead guilty to drink driving and receive a driving ban. What should you do?
Rank in order the following actions in response to this situation (1=most appropriate; 5=least appropriate):
Discuss with the hospital medical director
Discuss with medical staffing
Do nothing
Resign while undergoing alcohol rehabilitation
Voluntarily report to the General Medical Council (GMC).
Question 2—a tough call
A socially and physically well developed 15 year old girl attends your clinic and tells you that she and her 15 year old boyfriend are having sex, and she wants a prescription for the oral contraceptive pill. She says that she does not want her parents to be informed. There are no specific medical contraindications to use of the oral contraceptive pill.
Rank in order the following actions in response to this situation (1=most appropriate; 5=least appropriate):
Inform the police as this is statutory rape
Inform social services
Contact your medical defence organisation for advice
Prescribe the oral contraceptive
Advise that to prescribe the oral contraceptive the patient’s parent or guardian must attend too.
Question 3—the busy colleague
In the medical practice you are working …
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