← Full lesson and references Paired practice cardsSt Emlyn’s · MLA

Candidate brief Examiner checklist

One learner performs. One learner checks the key steps and gives feedback. Then swap roles. This is a practice aid, not an official mark scheme.

Candidate

GALS screening examination

MLA · Paired examination practice

Your task

You are a medical student. Perform a GALS musculoskeletal screen. Present your findings and discuss appropriate next steps with the responsible clinician.

Starting information

Practise with a consenting partner, using the equipment and scope agreed before starting.

Suggested practice time: 8–10 minutes for a focused run, followed by feedback. Allow longer to practise the full sequence. This is not an official examination timing.

St Emlyn’s · MLA · Practice aid, not an official mark schemeCandidate card

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Examiner / observer

GALS screening examination

Tick the actions you observe. Discuss any step that was not needed for this examination; unchecked boxes are not a score.

Examiner / observer · 1 of 2

GALS screening examination

Preparation · Gait and arms

Agree supervision and any communication or chaperone support before starting. Use a consenting partner and provide a couch and any equipment needed for the agreed examination. Practise comfortable movements; describe or use a suitable model for uncomfortable or provocative manoeuvres unless an appropriate supervised teaching setup is agreed.

Preparation

Introduces themself by name and as a medical student.

Confirms the patient’s identity.

Explains the purpose and extent of the examination.

Obtains consent before starting. Key step

Asks about pain and any urgent symptoms. Key step

Performs hand hygiene.

Uses appropriate protective equipment.

Provides suitable exposure and privacy, keeping other areas covered.

Positions the patient comfortably.

Explains that the patient can ask them to stop. Key step

Screening questions

Asks about pain, stiffness or swelling in joints, muscles or back.

Asks whether dressing is difficult.

Asks whether walking up or down stairs is difficult.

Gait and arms

Observes walking, turning, posture and alignment, with support when needed.

Asks for hands behind the head with elbows back, then arms forward with palms down and up.

Inspects the hands and asks for a fist.

Assesses grip and finger–thumb pinch, then uses a gentle MCP squeeze.

St Emlyn’s · MLA · Practice aid, not an official mark schemeObserver 1 of 2

Examiner / observer · 2 of 2

GALS screening examination

Legs and spine · Close

Legs and spine

With the patient supine, inspects alignment and assesses knee flexion/extension and hip internal rotation.

Checks knees for swelling and inspects the feet with a gentle MTP squeeze.

Inspects spinal alignment and curves.

Assesses lateral neck flexion and forward lumbar flexion only when safe. Key step

Close

Restores comfort and privacy, thanks the patient and discusses the findings with the responsible clinician.

Explains the agreed plan to the patient.

Ask the candidate

How would you present your findings and their significance? Record abnormalities of appearance, movement and function by region. Use a positive screen to choose a focused history and regional examination; the screen does not establish a diagnosis. For children, use age-appropriate communication and the paediatric approach taught by the medical school.

What would you do next, and why? Explain the important uncertainty, a relevant next assessment and when help is needed. State what you could not assess.

Feedback

What went well:

One thing to improve:

Try again focusing on:

St Emlyn’s · MLA · Practice aid, not an official mark schemeObserver 2 of 2

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