ROLE PLAYER INSTRUCTIONS

Just like a consultation with a doctor, the candidate will ask you a series of questions.
The OPENING LINE is always to be said exactly as written. This is the only part of the script
which will be the same for all candidates. Where the candidate goes after the opening line is
up to them.

The remainder of the information is to be given based on the questions asked by the
candidate.

The information in the following script are core pieces of information. The core pieces of
information will not necessarily follow the order in the script but should be given when cued
by the candidate’s question.

GENERAL INFORMATION can be given relatively freely. After the opening line, most
candidates will ask an open question like “Can you tell me more about that?” You can provide
the GENERAL INFORMATION in response to that sort of question.

SPECIFIC INFORMATION should only be given when the candidate asks a relevant question.
Candidates don’t need to ask for all the information in the SPECIFIC INFORMATION section,
but all the relevant information is given there should they want to.

Each line or dot point in the SPECIFIC INFORMATION section is an appropriate chunk of
information which can be provided to the candidate when asked a relevant question.

Do not give extra information than asked.

Do not provide details which are not given in the information chunks (i.e.: do not elaborate
or ad-lib).

If the candidate asks a question that is not given in the script, the best way to respond is with
a generic response indicating there is no problem. For example:

Candidate: “How many hours do you sleep?”
Response: “I’m sleeping fine.” / “I don’t have any concerns about my sleep.”

The case may have specific QUESTIONS to ask the candidate. You can start asking the
QUESTIONS if the candidate asks about your ideas or concerns or questions.

Ask the other questions in a conversational way. You do not need to ask all the questions. The
aim should be to ask most of the questions but without interrupting the candidate.

The Patient Record Summary is also included. This is not part of the script but is included for
your general information.

If you need help in understanding any of the medical information in the script, ask the College
examiner who will be with you, and they can help to explain the terms or the conditions.

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ROLE-PLAYER SCRIPT

Opening Line

“Doctor, I’ve had these rough, scaly patches on my elbows and knees for a while now, and they’re getting worse. I’m worried this might be something serious—what do you think it is?”

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General Information

• You are Michael Dawson, a 35-year-old warehouse supervisor.
• You developed red, scaly patches on your elbows, knees, and scalp about two years ago.
• The patches have been intermittent, with flare-ups every few months.
• Over the past six months, the scaling and redness have worsened, and the patches are spreading slightly.

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Specific Information

(Reveal only when asked directly)

Background Information

• The affected areas are itchy sometimes, but they don’t bleed.
• Moisturisers don’t seem to help, and you’ve tried different over-the-counter creams without much success.
• You are becoming self-conscious and avoid wearing short sleeves or shorts in public.
• You haven’t seen a doctor about this before.

Skin Symptoms

• The plaques are red, raised, and covered with silvery-white scales.
• The scalp involvement leads to flaking that looks like dandruff, making you self-conscious at work.
• You sometimes get cracks in the skin, especially on the elbows, but they don’t bleed heavily or ooze.
• You notice that the rash improves in summer when you get more sun exposure but worsens in colder months.

Joint Symptoms

• For the past six months, you’ve noticed stiffness in your fingers and lower back in the mornings.
• The stiffness lasts about 30 minutes and improves after some movement.
• You sometimes feel a dull ache in your knees after a long day at work.
• You assumed this was due to your physical job, but you’re now wondering if it’s connected to your skin condition.

Triggers and Lifestyle Factors

• You smoke 5-10 cigarettes a day and drink around 10 standard drinks per week.
• You have been under more stress at work lately, which you think has made the rash worse.
• Your diet isn’t great—you eat a lot of takeaway and processed food due to your busy schedule.
• You haven’t noticed a clear pattern between food and your skin flares.

Family and Medical History

• Your father has psoriasis but has never really talked about it.
• No other known autoimmune diseases in the family.
• You don’t have any other chronic illnesses and take no regular medications.

Concerns and Expectations

• You are worried about the cause of the rash and if it will spread further.
• You are wondering if this is curable or something you’ll have forever.
• You are concerned about people noticing your skin and judging you.
• You feel frustrated because nothing you’ve tried has worked.
• You want to know if your joint pain is connected to your skin symptoms.
• You are worried about how this will affect your work since you have a physically demanding job.

Red Flag Symptoms (Reveal only when asked directly)

• No fever, weight loss, or night sweats.
• No pustules or painful blisters.
• No vision changes or severe fatigue.
• No significant hair loss or nail changes, although some nails seem thicker than before.

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Emotional Cues & Body Language

• You seem mildly anxious but try to downplay your concerns at first.
• If the doctor is uncertain or vague, you become more frustrated and concerned.
• If the doctor reassures you that this is manageable, you start to relax but still want clear answers.
• You appreciate practical advice but may push back if recommendations feel unrealistic (e.g., quitting smoking cold turkey).
• If the doctor doesn’t mention joint symptoms, you will bring them up: “Could this stiffness in my fingers be related?”
• If the doctor suggests stress as a factor, you might say, “I can’t exactly quit my job, so what else can I do?”

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Questions for the Candidate

(Ask these naturally throughout the consultation.)

1. “Is this something serious? Will it spread all over my body?”
2. “Is this curable, or will I have it forever?”
3. “Could my joint pain be related to this?”
4. “Is there anything I can do to stop it from getting worse?”
5. “Are there treatments that actually work?”
6. “Will this affect my work or ability to do physical tasks?”
7. “Should I stop drinking or smoking? Does that really make a difference?”
8. “If I don’t treat this, what will happen?”

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Key Behaviours & Approach

• You expect the doctor to take your concerns seriously and provide clear, evidence-based advice.
• If the doctor fails to mention lifestyle factors, you may ask, “Would quitting smoking or drinking actually make a difference?”
• If the doctor doesn’t address your joint pain, you will press further: “But my fingers are stiff in the mornings—could that be connected?”
• If the doctor focuses only on skin treatment and ignores psychological impact, you may ask, “Is there any support for people who have this? It’s getting me down.”
• If the doctor is vague about treatment timelines, you might ask, “How long will it take before I see an improvement?”
• You are open to making changes, but you prefer realistic, gradual steps rather than drastic overhauls.

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Additional Context for the Role-Player

• You haven’t been to a doctor for this before, so you are hoping for a clear diagnosis and a treatment plan.
• You are willing to try treatments, but you are skeptical because moisturisers haven’t worked.
• You trust doctors but want practical, straightforward advice.
• If the doctor suggests lifestyle modifications, you may hesitate but will listen:
  • “I can try cutting down on alcohol, but I don’t think I can quit completely overnight.”
  • “I could try to eat healthier, but I don’t have time to cook elaborate meals.”
• If the doctor suggests a referral to dermatology or rheumatology, you may ask, “How long does it take to see a specialist?”

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