AMC Clinical Deep Dive

Welcome to Season 3 of AMC Clinical Deep Dive! Although Candida species can be normal flora and thrush is not considered a sexually transmitted infection (STI), it causes significant distress and presents frequently in OSCE scenarios. This episode breaks down the ASHM guidelines for acing this station. Learn the critical distinction between uncomplicated thrush and recurrent candidiasis (≥4 episod...

Welcome to Season 3 of AMC Clinical Deep Dive! Caused by the flagellated protozoan Trichomonas vaginalis , this infection typically presents as profuse, frothy, malodorous vaginal discharge or asymptomatic urethritis. This episode breaks down the ASHM guidelines for OSCE success. Learn key diagnostic protocols, including high vaginal swab NAAT, and master first-line therapy: Metronidazole 400mg BD...

Welcome to Season 3 of AMC Clinical Deep Dive! Driven by Treponema pallidum , syphilis prevalence is rising across Australia, particularly among women of reproductive age. This episode deconstructs the ASHM guidelines for OSCE success. Learn to differentiate early (<2 years) versus late (>2 years) syphilis, interpret complex serology (CMIA screening, TPPA confirmation, and RPR activity track...

Welcome to Season 3 of AMC Clinical Deep Dive! Driven by alarming macrolide resistance (>60% in Australia), Mycoplasma genitalium (M. gen.) management requires resistance-guided sequential therapy. This episode deconstructs the ASHM guidelines for OSCE success. Learn why routine asymptomatic screening is contraindicated and why Doxycycline (100mg BD for 7 days) must precede targeted treatment—e...

Welcome to Season 3 of AMC Clinical Deep Dive! Caused by Chlamydia trachomatis serovars L1–L3, Lymphogranuloma Venereum (LGV) presents as proctitis, genital ulcers, or painful inguinal buboes. This episode deconstructs the ASHM guidelines for acing this complex OSCE scenario. Learn key diagnostic steps: ordering rectal Chlamydia NAAT with mandatory LGV genotyping, and empirically treating for gono...

Welcome to Season 3 of AMC Clinical Deep Dive! From acute seroconversion illness to long-term primary care, managing HIV requires both clinical precision and compassionate communication. This episode breaks down the ASHM guidelines for acing this scenario. Learn the non-negotiable rule: immediate ART initiation regardless of CD4 count, and counselling patients on U=U (Undetectable = Untransmissibl...

Welcome to Season 3 of AMC Clinical Deep Dive! This episode deconstructs the ASHM guidelines for Hepatitis A, B, and C. Learn key diagnostic rules: why "no healthy carrier" exists in Hepatitis B, and why Hepatitis C antibody tests should never be repeated once positive (use HCV PCR instead). We cover high-yield protocols: Hepatitis A contact tracing across a 50-day window, 6-monthly hepa...

Welcome to Season 3 of AMC Clinical Deep Dive! Caused by  Neisseria gonorrhoeae , gonorrhoea is often asymptomatic at the pharyngeal, anorectal, and vaginal sites. This episode breaks down the ASHM guidelines for acing this OSCE scenario. Learn the non-negotiable diagnostic rule: always collect samples for gonococcal culture before starting antibiotics to monitor antimicrobial resistance. Master t...

Welcome to Season 3 of AMC Clinical Deep Dive! Often highly stigmatised, genital herpes (HSV) requires both clinical and compassionate psychosocial management. This episode deconstructs the ASHM guidelines to elevate your OSCE performance. Learn key diagnostic rules (why we use ulcer NAAT and avoid asymptomatic serology) and master first-line treatment protocols (Valaciclovir for initial, episodic...

Welcome to Season 3 of AMC Clinical Deep Dive! This episode deconstructs the ASHM guidelines for managing scabies and pubic lice (crabs). Learn critical diagnostic signs, from nocturnal itching to identifying interdigital burrows. We cover first-line treatment protocols: topical permethrin 5% (overnight, repeated in one week) for scabies and pyrethrin foam for pubic lice. Master crucial OSCE couns...

Welcome to Season 3 of AMC Clinical Deep Dive! Caused by Klebsiella granulomatis , this chronic infection presents as painless, "beefy" genital ulcers. This episode deconstructs the ASHM guidelines, preparing IMGs for key diagnostic and management decisions. Learn why treatment with Azithromycin or Doxycycline must continue until lesions completely resolve—not just for a fixed duration....

Welcome to Season 3 of AMC Clinical Deep Dive! As Australia’s most reported communicable disease, chlamydia is frequently asymptomatic (85%–90%), making screening protocols a favourite examiner target. This episode breaks down the latest guidelines: prioritising doxycycline (100mg BD for 7 days) over azithromycin, selecting highly sensitive self-collected vaginal swabs over urine, and managing pre...

Welcome to Season 3 of AMC Clinical Deep Dive! Caused primarily by HPV types 6 and 11, genital warts are diagnosed visually and often cause significant psychological distress. This episode deconstructs the ASHM guidelines, comparing patient-applied treatments like topically applied podophyllotoxin paint and imiquimod cream with clinician-initiated cryotherapy. Learn critical counselling pearls: ex...

Welcome to Season 3 of AMC Clinical Deep Dive! This episode deconstructs the ASHM Standard Asymptomatic Check-up guidelines, essential for any IMG's OSCE toolkit. We explore how to identify at-risk populations—from new sexual partners to specific subpopulations like MSM and sex workers. Learn the mandatory "Big Four" testing battery: HIV and Syphilis serology for everyone, plus Chlam...

Welcome to Season 3 of AMC Clinical Deep Dive! Contact tracing is a critical process for breaking the chain of infection, preventing re-infection, and avoiding long-term health complications. This episode breaks down the ASHM Guidelines for identifying at-risk sexual and injecting partners. Learn essential OSCE steps: calculating the tracing window, offering a choice between patient-led or provide...

Welcome to Season 3 of AMC Clinical Deep Dive! This high-yield episode breaks down the ASHM framework , moving beyond rote questions to normalisation and inclusivity . Learn how to "hook" a consultation by citing syphilis outbreaks and how to ask about preferred genital terms to respect LGBTQ+ patients. It covers essential questions regarding window periods , partner gender, and site-spe...

Welcome to Season 2 of AMC Clinical Deep Dive! This episode focuses on the walking cane for knee osteoarthritis (OA) . Drawing on NHMRC Level 2 evidence , it explains how daily cane use significantly reduces knee load and improves function. Learn the essential "3-Point Check" for the OSCE: measuring the cane to the distal wrist fold for optimal elbow flexion, ensuring it's used on th...

Welcome to Season 2 of AMC Clinical Deep Dive! As an NHMRC Level 1 intervention for COPD, this non-drug strategy is an examiner favourite for assessing clinical reasoning. We break down the "Cycle of Inactivity," explaining how structured exercise—including walking and stationary cycling—actually reduces breathlessness, hospital admissions, and mortality. Learn to explain the 6–8 week pr...

Welcome to Season 2 of AMC Clinical Deep Dive! Affecting 1–3% of the population, this is a high-yield OSCE scenario where understanding the degenerative pathology—microtrauma rather than acute inflammation—is key. This episode explores NHMRC Level 1 evidence supporting physiotherapy over corticosteroid injections for superior long-term outcomes. Learn essential OSCE steps: explaining the "2/1...

Welcome to Season 2 of AMC Clinical Deep Dive! Affecting 13% of mothers , Postnatal Depression (PND) is a high-yield OSCE scenario requiring empathy and evidence-based management. This episode explores NHMRC Level 1 psychological interventions like CBT and Interpersonal Therapy (IPT) , proven to improve mood and mother-child bonding. Learn essential OSCE steps: using the EPDS (score >12) for sc...

Welcome to Season 2 of AMC Clinical Deep Dive! Probiotics are a high-yield OSCE topic, from preventing antibiotic-associated diarrhoea (AAD) to reducing infant eczema risk by 80%. This episode explores NHMRC Level 1 evidence for Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG and Saccharomyces boulardii . We break down the optimal dose (5–40 billion CFU/day) and the critical safety red flag : always avoid probiotics i...

Welcome to Season 2 of AMC Clinical Deep Dive! Pelvic Floor Muscle Training (PFMT) is a high-yield intervention with NHMRC Level 1 evidence for managing urinary incontinence and pelvic organ prolapse. This episode dives into the "gold standard" protocol: 8–12 repetitions of near-maximal, 6–8 second contractions performed 1–3 times daily. Master "The Knack" —consciously bracing...

Welcome to Season 2 of AMC Clinical Deep Dive! For Stage II and III cases, partial nail avulsion combined with chemical (phenol) matricectomy is the gold standard, backed by NHMRC Level 1 evidence for superior prevention of recurrence. This episode breaks down the essential surgical protocol: from performing a digital ring block to the critical alcohol-chlorhexidine flush used to neutralise phenol...

Welcome to Season 2 of AMC Clinical Deep Dive! Injections are the leading cause of iatrogenic pain in children, but NHMRC Level 1 evidence-based strategies can transform your OSCE performance. This episode breaks down essential protocols: why you must skip aspiration to reduce distress, the benefits of simultaneous injections for infants, and why the most painful vaccines (MMR and PCV) must always...

Welcome to Season 2 of AMC Clinical Deep Dive! Music therapy is a powerhouse non-drug intervention backed by NHMRC Level I evidence for improving subjective sleep quality. This episode reveals the "golden prescription": 45 minutes of familiar, slow-tempo music (60–80 BPM) at bedtime. We dive into the science of how music decreases sympathetic arousal and acts as a distraction from stress...