Choosing contraception when pills are forgotten
PLAB 2 practice station

The task

You are a doctor in a GP surgery. Miss Chloe Bennett, aged 24, has come for contraception. She has taken a combined pill on and off but often forgets. She is alone. Take a brief history relevant to her choice, then discuss suitable contraceptive methods with her and help her to decide. The examiner will not take part in the conversation.

What this station tests

• Always ask about migraine with aura before prescribing combined hormonal contraception.
• Explain risk in simple language and give the reason for your advice.
• Offer the full range of long acting methods, with their side effects.
• Support informed choice and arrange the next step.

Sources for the clinical content

• NICE CG30: Long-acting reversible contraception
• NHS: Contraception
• CoSRH: UK Medical Eligibility Criteria for Contraceptive Use

An original practice scenario with invented patients. Not an exam question.

Practise next

• Starting a statin to lower heart disease risk
• Helping a smoker who wants to stop
• Diet advice after a diabetes diagnosis
• Alcohol advice after raised liver blood tests
• A parent unsure about her son's measles vaccine