October 9, 2025

Anaemia History Taking – How to Diagnose & Manage in OSCEs | OSCE Talk

In this episode of OSCE Talk, Matthew and Peter explore anaemia — one of the most common presentations in clinical medicine and a frequent OSCE topic.You’ll learn how to take a focused anaemia history, recognise key symptoms and red flags, and confidently approach diagnosis and management in both exams and real-life settings.We cover the main types of anaemia — microcytic, normocytic, and macrocytic — along with essential investigations and a step-by-step approach to managing iron deficiency anaemia. The episode ends with a realistic case example to help you structure your answers and boost OSCE confidence.Understand how anaemia presents and why it’s important in OSCEs.Use a structured approach to history taking and investigation.Recognise common causes like iron deficiency, chronic disease, and B12/folate deficiency.Identify red flags such as bleeding, weight loss, or unexplained fatigue.Know your core investigations – FBC, MCV, ferritin, and reticulocytes.Learn the management steps for iron deficiency anaemia.Apply your knowledge with a case-based example for practical learning.00:00 – What Is Anaemia?02:44 – Causes of Anaemia05:34 – How to Take an Anaemia History08:41 – Investigations and Diagnosis11:51 – Management Strategies14:45 – Case Study Example🎧 Listen & Follow:🎙️ Spotify → https://open.spotify.com/show/01yz38zJwwHIk6lEdEtIs3?si=6ada2aec3b834e77🍎 Apple Podcasts → https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/osce-talk/id1845051423▶️ YouTube → https://www.youtube.com/@oscetalkpod📸 Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/oscetalk_/🎵 TikTok → https://www.tiktok.com/@oscetalk_💬 Tell us which OSCE topic you’d like covered next — and don’t forget to subscribe for concise, high-yield clinical exam tips every week.

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