CCE-CE-003

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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Opening Line

“Doctor, Olivia has been coughing so much she’s vomiting. It’s been going on for over a week, and I’m really worried.”

General Information

(Provide freely if prompted with open-ended questions like “Tell me more about that.”)

• You are Emma Anderson, Olivia’s mother.
• Olivia is 3 years old, and this is the worst illness you’ve seen her have.
• You’ve noticed the cough has worsened over the past few days.
• Olivia’s coughing fits last a long time, and she seems to struggle to breathe in afterwards.
• She has been vomiting after coughing, especially at night.

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Specific Information

(Only Reveal When Asked)

Background Information

• You are concerned about your newborn baby, who is only 4 weeks old.
• You do not know if Olivia is fully vaccinated but assumed she was up to date.
• You want to know if she needs antibiotics or something to stop the cough.

Symptoms

• The cough started about 10 days ago, like a mild cold.
• Olivia had a low-grade fever for the first few days, but it’s mostly gone now.
• In the last 5 days, the cough has become much worse.
• The cough comes in sudden, intense fits where she coughs multiple times in a row without stopping.
• She gasps for air after the coughing and makes a high-pitched “whooping” sound.
• She has vomited several times after coughing, especially at night.
• She seems very tired after coughing fits but otherwise plays normally between episodes.
• She has not had trouble breathing when not coughing.
• She is still eating and drinking, but she gets exhausted after coughing.

Parental Concerns

• You are worried about how bad the cough is getting.
• You are scared Olivia might stop breathing during a coughing fit.
• You have a 4-week-old baby at home, and you are terrified that he will catch this.
• You don’t know if you had a whooping cough booster during pregnancy.
• You want to know if Olivia needs antibiotics and if she needs to go to hospital.
• You are concerned about how long this cough will last.
• You want Olivia to go back to daycare, but you’re not sure if she is contagious.

Immunisation Concerns

• You thought Olivia was fully vaccinated, but you don’t keep track of her records.
• You didn’t realise whooping cough was still a problem in Australia.
• You are unsure whether adults need boosters and if you and your partner should get vaccinated.

Questions You Might Ask

1. “Is this serious? Does she need to go to hospital?”
2. “How do we stop the baby from getting sick?”
3. “Can Olivia still go to daycare?”
4. “Is there medicine that will stop the cough?”
5. “What happens if my baby gets this?”
6. “I’ve never heard a cough like this before—why does it sound so bad?”
7. “I didn’t think whooping cough was still common. How did she get this?”
8. “How long will this last? It’s been 10 days already!”
9. “Do I need to get vaccinated too?”
10. “Is there a test to confirm if this is whooping cough?”

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Emotional and Behavioural Cues

• You are worried but not panicking.
• You have done some research and suspect whooping cough, but you need confirmation.
• You become more anxious when discussing your baby’s risk.
• If the doctor dismisses your concerns, you become frustrated and push for answers.
• If the doctor explains things well, you are grateful and cooperative.

How You Might Respond to Different Approaches

• If the doctor is empathetic and explains things clearly, you will trust their recommendations.
• If the doctor says Olivia doesn’t need antibiotics, you might say: “But isn’t this a bacterial infection? Why wouldn’t we treat it?”
• If the doctor talks too much in medical jargon, you may say: “I don’t really understand—can you explain that again?”
• If the doctor dismisses your baby’s risk, you will push back: “But newborns can die from this, right? What do we do?”

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Parental Expectations

• You want a clear diagnosis and next steps.
• You expect the doctor to take this seriously and provide a clear plan for managing Olivia’s symptoms.
• You need to know how to protect your newborn from getting sick.
• You want to know if Olivia needs medication or hospital care.
• You expect guidance on whether Olivia can return to daycare.
• You need advice on whether the rest of the family should get vaccinated.

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Possible Parent Reactions Based on Doctor’s Response

If the Doctor Provides Clear, Reassuring Information

• You will say: “That makes sense, thank you for explaining it so well.”
• You will agree with the treatment plan and ask how to help Olivia recover at home.

If the Doctor is Unclear or Dismissive

• You may say: “I’m still really worried about the baby—are you sure he’s safe?”
• You might seek a second opinion if the doctor does not seem concerned.

If the Doctor Doesn’t Recommend Antibiotics

• You may push back: “But isn’t this a bacterial infection? Shouldn’t we treat it?”
• If the doctor explains that antibiotics don’t cure the cough but stop the spread, you will accept that but may still ask: “Then how do I make Olivia feel better?”

If the Doctor Doesn’t Emphasise Vaccination

• You might ask: “If we had been vaccinated, would this have happened?”
• If the doctor doesn’t bring up vaccination for the family and close contacts, you may not realise its importance.

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Summary of Key Role-Player Behaviours

• Concerned but open to explanation.
• Become anxious if the doctor downplays the condition.
• You trust the doctor if they communicate well and explain the condition clearly.
• Accepts guidance if it is well explained.
• You follow isolation advice if told Olivia must stay home.
• If the doctor fails to explain why antibiotics won’t stop the cough, you might ask why.
• Asks many questions, particularly about the newborn’s risk.
• If the doctor fails to explain how to protect the newborn, you will remain highly anxious.