Paeds Cases · adolescent-and-young-adult-medicine
Eating disorders: recognition and medical instability — OSCE communication and clinical station
Observed structured encounter testing recognition of an eating disorder, application of SCOFF, bedside instability assessment, red-flag triage, and engaging an ambivalent adolescent and their family.
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Study tools
Target exams
RACP General PaediatricsRACP DCEMRCPCH ClinicalRCPSC Pediatrics
Prompt
Station A is a 15-year-old runner who fainted at school, seen with her mother. Station B is a 16-year-old with vomiting, palpitations and a normal weight, seen alone.
Candidate instructions
You are the paediatric registrar in the emergency department. You have two eight-minute stations. In Station A, a 15-year-old cross-country runner has fainted at school; she is with her mother. In Station B, you see a 16-year-old alone who reports palpitations and weakness, and her mother (in the waiting area) says she goes to the bathroom straight after meals. [2] [3]
References6ShowHide
- [1]Morgan JF; Reid F; Lacey JH The SCOFF questionnaire: assessment of a new screening tool for eating disorders. BMJ, 1999.PMID 10582927
- [2]Golden NH; Katzman DK; Sawyer SM Update on the medical management of eating disorders in adolescents. Journal of adolescent health, 2015.PMID 25659201
- [3]Marikar D; Reynolds S; Moghrabi O; Dave M; Snook J; Harris J Junior MARSIPAN (Management of Really Sick Patients with Anorexia Nervosa). Archives of disease in childhood. Education and practice edition, 2016.PMID 26407730
- [4]Allison E; Nana M; O'Dea C; Spettigue W; Norris M Fifteen minute consultation: A structured approach to the management of children and adolescents with medically unstable anorexia nervosa. Archives of disease in childhood. Education and practice edition, 2017.PMID 28193620
- [5]James RL; Khalsa S; Sharma A; Faruqi A; Sidiq M; Warnick J; Gallego J; Spettigue W; Norris MD; Katzman DK Physical health complications in children and young people with avoidant restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID): a systematic review and meta-analysis. BMJ paediatrics open, 2024.PMID 38977355
- [6]Trapani S; Mencaroni E; Rocchi A; Marciano C; Belli S; Di Donato M; Rigante D; Stagi S Medical Complications of Anorexia Nervosa. Pediatrics, 2025.PMID 40659363