OSCE Toolbox | Malaria Counselling 1 - Scenario

Suggested Info Capsules to Review Before

Warning: This may reveal spoilers

Report a problem

Scenarios

By Femi Lana • May 26, 2026 • Last reviewed: 2025-12-28 •

Ready to dive into this scenario?

Log in or sign up to add it to your favourites and show your support

Add to Favourites

Summary Intermediate

In this scenario, the student is working as a community pharmacist and tasked with counselling a patient on malaria prevention before their holiday abroad. The student must provide appropriate advice and answer any questions.

Please ensure that this scenario and mark scheme align with the most up-to-date guidelines from the UK NICE and the BNF when using it for your OSCE assessment.

You will need a student pharmacist and an actor for this OSCE station.

Revision Topics

Be aware, this may reveal any answers!

Student Instructions

Actor Instructions

This may reveal scenario objectives!

Mark Scheme

Introduction

0 / 2

Introduces self pharmacist with an appropriate greeting

+1

Confirms patient details: Name, age

+1

History

0 / 8

Takes a brief travel history:

Travelling to malaria-risk country

+1

Duration of stay

+1

Type of accommodation (guest-house + rural home)

+1

Outdoor evening exposure and mosquito risk

+1

Confirms medical history

+1

Mild seasonal allergies only

Confirms medication history

+1

Occasional loratadine

Checks for any allergies and confirms the nature of reaction.

+1

Confirm there is no chance of pregnancy

+1

Doxycycline is contraindicated in pregnancy

Answer Q1: If I take the doxycycline will I definitely not get malaria?

0 / 3

The student confidently explains that no malaria prophylaxis provides 100% protection, even when taken correctly.

+1

Explains that doxycycline is highly effective but must be taken exactly as directed for best protection.

+1

Explains that prophylaxis must be used alongside bite-avoidance measures such as insect repellent, long clothing, and mosquito nets to further reduce risk.

+1

Answer Q2: What are the side effects?

0 / 3

Explains common side effects of doxycycline at a level suitable for the patient:

Nausea or stomach upset such as diarrhoea

+1

Photosensitivity (increased sunburn risk) so avoid direct exposure to sunlight

+1

Risks can be reduced with sunscreen and protective clothing

Explains how to reduce side effects (take with food, full glass of water, remain upright for 30 mins).

+1

Management

0 / 8

Establishes the patient’s malaria exposure risk (destination, rural stay, accommodation, duration, outdoor activities) and advises that prophylaxis is required .

+1

It’s important to conduct a full malaria travel-risk assessment to ensure you are not missing key factors that determine whether prophylaxis is required. country-specific travel advice can be found on NaTHNaC

Counsels the patient on how doxycycline is taken for malaria prophylaxis:

Take 1 x 100mg tablet every day

+1

Start taking the tablet 1-2 days before travel and continue for 4 weeks after leaving

+1

Take with plenty of water

+1

Advises that:

Malaria prophylaxis, including doxycycline, is not available on the NHS for travel purposes

+1

The patient will need to obtain the medication privately through a community pharmacy offering private travel-health services, or a private travel clinic that can supply malaria prevention medicines.

+1

The student should explain that these services will involve a private consultation and a private prescription cost

+1

Advises the patient to seek urgent same-day medical assessment (A&E / urgent care / GP same-day) if symptoms develop during travel or after returning to the UK.

+1

Communication

0 / 6

Use appropriate language for the person and situation.

+1

Demonstrates empathy

+1

Ensure the patient understanding and signposts to further resources (e.g. NHS website or BNF)

+1

Signposts and refers patients to relevant resources e.g. NHS website

+1

Concludes the conversation well by asking if there are any further questions

+1

The student did not say anything that could harm the patient

+1

This includes but is not limited to, providing incorrect information or medication, misdiagnosing conditions, neglecting to inquire about allergies, making incorrect referrals, or failing to act on red-flag symptoms.

Time Management

0 / 1

Completed the scenario in time and achieved 70% of marks

+1