What happens in the ST3 plastics consent station?

You explain a planned operation to a patient — or to a parent, for a paediatric case — and answer their questions. It lasts five minutes and is part of the OSCE and communication block. The alternatives to surgery have already been discussed at an earlier clinic visit, so this station is specifically the procedure explanation and consent conversation.

What are you marked on in the consent station?

Five things: the operative environment and anaesthesia, the operative technique, the postoperative regime, the risks and complications, and your overall communication.

How do I do well in the consent station?

Explain in plain language, signpost the structure, check understanding as you go, and cover benefits, the procedure, recovery, and material risks. Avoid jargon — the “patient” will ask what a word means if you use one.

The ST3 Plastics Consent Station

The consent station is a five-minute part of the OSCE and communication block in the ST3 Plastic Surgery interview. You explain a planned operation to a patient (played by an assessor), and answer their questions. It is a pure communication test — the clinical decision to operate has already been made.

How the station runs

The “patient” — or a parent, for a paediatric case — has already discussed the alternatives at a previous clinic visit, so your job here is to explain the chosen procedure and take consent. The assessor’s role is mainly to listen, then to ask the questions a real patient would (“Am I going to lose my leg?”, “Could I die from this?”) and to ask you to clarify whenever you use a word they do not understand.

What you are marked on

Operative environment and anaesthesia — where and how the operation happens.
Operative technique — what you will actually do, in plain terms.
Postoperative regime — recovery, dressings, time off, follow-up.
Risks and complications — the material and common risks, honestly.
Overall communication — structure, clarity, empathy, and checking understanding.

How to prepare

Build a repeatable structure you can apply to any operation: what it is and why, what happens before/during/after, the risks that matter, and what recovery looks like — checking understanding throughout. Rehearse the common plastics consent scenarios (from carpal tunnel release and Dupuytren’s fasciectomy to debridement for necrotising fasciitis and free-flap reconstruction) out loud, and get someone to interrupt you with patient questions. You can rehearse the consent station with an AI patient on Reviva.

Frequently asked questions

What happens in the ST3 plastics consent station?: You explain a planned operation to a patient — or to a parent, for a paediatric case — and answer their questions. It lasts five minutes and is part of the OSCE and communication block. The alternatives to surgery have already been discussed at an earlier clinic visit, so this station is specifically the procedure explanation and consent conversation.
What are you marked on in the consent station?: Five things: the operative environment and anaesthesia, the operative technique, the postoperative regime, the risks and complications, and your overall communication.
How do I do well in the consent station?: Explain in plain language, signpost the structure, check understanding as you go, and cover benefits, the procedure, recovery, and material risks. Avoid jargon — the “patient” will ask what a word means if you use one.

Sources. Based on the ST3 Plastic Surgery selection format modelled by Reviva and the national selection marking scheme. Educational only — confirm the current format against the official national recruitment portal.