Contraception — Viva

Opening (30 s)

"Contraception — give a one-line definition and the single most important immediate risk."

Model: Contraception methods span hormonal (combined oral contraceptive pill, progestogen-only pill, implant, injectable, hormonal intrauterine system), intrauterine (copper IUD), barrier (condom, diaphragm), natural (fertility awareness, lactational amenorrhoea), emergency contraception, and permanent sterilisation. Choice depends on efficacy, safety, side effects, reversibility, coital independence, ag

Station 1 — Pathophysiology (2 min)

Explain the mechanism chain from cause to clinical features and one major complication.

Station 2 — Clinical diagnosis (2 min)

Classic presentation, atypical groups, named bedside signs, and what you examine for red flags.

Red flag cue: Chest pain, dyspnoea, calf pain or swelling, severe headache, visual disturbance, focal deficit or jaundice in a woman on combined hormonal contraception — thromboembolism (VTE, PE, ischaemic stroke) until proven otherwise; stop CHC, urgent imaging (D-dimer, CTPA, MRI brain)

Station 3 — Investigations (2 min)

First-line tests, definitive tests, and any named score with exact components.

Station 4 — Emergency management (3 min)

ABC priorities, first drugs with dose and route, procedures, and when to escalate to ICU/theatre.

Station 5 — Definitive / long-term care (2 min)

Stepwise definitive therapy, monitoring, complications of treatment, follow-up.

Station 6 — Special populations (2 min)

Child / pregnancy / elderly / immunocompromised / renal impairment — what changes.

Station 7 — Evidence & pitfalls (2 min)

Landmark trial or guideline name if standard; three classic exam traps.

Station 8 — Rapid-fire pearls (1 min)

Five high-yield facts a candidate must not forget under time pressure.

Examiner pass criteria

• Speaks in mechanisms and numbers, not vague lists
• Gives at least one exact dose or threshold
• Names escalation criteria
• Avoids dangerous delays (imaging when unstable, etc.)