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Act I, Scene 2

Method-Based Studying


Hint

The title is a hint to the Medicare Benefits Schedule. Each case attracts an MBS code, but you might need to use the rebates/fees to amend the codes! You'll need to extract two letters out of each case.



In today’s case-supported learning (CSL) tutorial, we present 5 x mini-cases:

Case 1: A patient with triple negative breast cancer with widespread bony metastases confirmed on bone scans attends an appointment with a radiation oncologist. During this appointment, their refractory bone pain is explored. It is noted that they failed their chemotherapy. The radiation oncologist proceeds with the administration of samarium (153Sm) lexidronam to relieve their widespread bone pain. This medication is administered free of charge.

Case 2: A patient with blurry vision while reading presents to their optometrist for eye testing where they are found to have manifest hyperopia of 5.0 dioptres in their left eye. They are subsequently issued with a one-time prescription for contact lenses and receive a rebate of $1780.

Case 3: A patient who has recently sustained a large stroke leaving them with significant left upper limb and left lower limb motor and sensory deficits is currently being looked after as an inpatient on a subacute hospital rehabilitation ward. During their inpatient admission, their rehabilitation physician attends a case conference involving a physiotherapist, an occupational therapist, and a social worker. During this case conference, the patient's inpatient progress is discussed from both a medical and an allied health point-of-view, as well as the patient's ongoing rehabilitation goals and their discharge planning. The patient is charged $140 for this case conference discussion.

Case 4: A returning service member of the Australian Defence Force attends a 45-minute appointment at their local general practitioner, where a long health assessment of their physical and psychological health and social function takes place, involving the taking of a comprehensive patient history, an extensive examination of the patient's medical conditions, the initiation of relevant investigations and referrals, and the provision of a preventative health care management plan. The patient receives a rebate of $200 for this long health assessment.

Case 5: A patient who is known to Neurology outpatient clinics is admitted for management of their orthostatic headache. During their admission, they are seen by an anaesthetist who performed an epidural blood patch to great effect. The patient received a $214 rebate for this procedure.