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.

SCRIPT FOR ROLE-PLAYER

Opening Line

“Doctor, I found this lump in my neck about two months ago, and it’s not going away. I’m really worried it could be something serious.”

General Information

(Freely Shared if Asked Open-Ended Questions)

• You first noticed the lump about eight weeks ago. It started as a small, painless swelling just below your jaw on the right side of your neck. Initially, you thought it was from a cold or a sore throat, but it hasn’t gone away, and it’s getting bigger.
• Over the last two weeks, the lump has become more noticeable and slightly tender.
• You have been feeling more tired than usual over the last month or so, but you put it down to work stress.
• You have lost about five kilograms in the last two months without changing your diet or exercise routine.

Specific Information

(Only Revealed if the Candidate Asks Targeted Questions)

Background Information

• You haven’t had any fever, chills, or night sweats.
• No sore throat, cough, or recent infections that you can remember.
• You had mild sinus congestion about a month ago, but nothing significant.
• You haven’t noticed any other swollen glands in your neck, armpits, or groin.
• You haven’t been sick recently, and no one in your household has been unwell.
• No skin changes, rashes, or unusual bruising.
• No dental problems or pain in your teeth.
• You work as an accountant, and your job is quite sedentary.
• You are not sexually active outside your relationship.
• You haven’t travelled overseas or to rural areas in the past few years.

Physical Symptoms:

• The lump is about 2 cm in size, firm, non-movable, and feels deep under the skin rather than just under the surface.
• It has grown slowly but steadily over the past two months.
• You feel some discomfort when pressing on it, but otherwise, it does not hurt.
• You haven’t had difficulty swallowing, breathing, or hoarseness.
• You haven’t noticed any blood in your saliva or any lumps inside your mouth.
• Your appetite is mostly normal, but you eat less than usual because you have less energy to cook or prepare meals.

Lifestyle and Risk Factors:

• You don’t smoke and never have.
• You drink socially (3-4 standard drinks per week), mostly on weekends.
• You exercise occasionally but have been too tired to keep up with it in the last few months.
• No history of tuberculosis (TB) exposure.
• No history of exposure to chemicals, radiation, or industrial toxins.
• You have a cat at home but haven’t been scratched or bitten recently.

Family History:

• Your father passed away at 65 from colon cancer.
• Your mother is alive, has high blood pressure, and is otherwise healthy.
• No known family history of leukemia, lymphoma, or immune disorders.

Emotional Cues & Concerns

• You appear anxious, rubbing your neck occasionally and fidgeting with your hands.
• You are worried that this could be something serious, like cancer.
• You have been Googling your symptoms, and you read that lymphoma can present this way, which has made you even more worried.
• You want reassurance but also a clear plan on what will happen next.
• You feel guilty about not coming in sooner but didn’t think it was a big deal at first.
• If the candidate does not address your concerns properly, you might say,
  • “Are you sure this isn’t something serious?”
  • “Do you think I need a biopsy? Should I be worried about cancer?”
  • “If this was something bad, how would you know?”
• If the candidate explains things well, you will calm down slightly but still need clear follow-up plans.
• If the candidate dismisses your concerns or doesn’t explain things well, you will continue to express anxiety and push for more tests.

Questions for the Candidate (Ask Conversationally During the Consultation)

1. “What do you think this could be? Should I be worried?”
2. “Will I need a biopsy? What kind of tests will you do?”
3. “How long should I wait before I come back if it doesn’t go away?”
4. “If this was cancer, what symptoms would I have?”
5. “Is there anything I should do to make this go away?”

If the Candidate Provides Reassurance and a Clear Plan

• You will visibly relax but still ask for some clarification, e.g.,
  • “So, just to be clear, you think this is more likely an infection than something serious?”
  • “And if the tests come back normal, what happens next?”
• You will be reassured if the candidate gives you a structured follow-up plan (e.g., a review in 2 weeks or a referral for further testing).

If the Candidate Fails to Address Your Concerns

• You will become more insistent:
  • “I really don’t want to take any chances—can we just do all the tests now?”
  • “But why wouldn’t we just do a biopsy right away?”
  • “What if this is something serious and we miss it?”
• You might start to express frustration or disappointment, especially if the candidate seems unsure or dismissive.

Conclusion of the Consultation

• If the candidate has done well, you will thank them and agree to the plan but might still confirm:
  • “So I’ll come back in two weeks unless something changes?”
  • “You’ll call me when the blood test results come in?”
• If the candidate has not given clear answers, you may still express doubt and say:
  • “I might get a second opinion. I just want to be sure.”