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 SCRIPTS

Opening Line

“Doctor, I’ve been having trouble in the bedroom for a while now, and it’s really starting to stress me out.”

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General Information

• You are 45 years old and have been in a long-term relationship with your partner for the past 15 years.
• Over the past six months, you have had increasing difficulty with achieving and maintaining an erection.
• It used to happen only sometimes, but now it’s becoming more frequent.
• Sometimes, you can get an erection but can’t maintain it, while other times, it doesn’t happen at all.

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Specific Information

(Only Provide If Asked)

Background Information

• You feel embarrassed and have been avoiding sex, which is affecting your relationship.
• Your partner is understanding but concerned, which adds pressure on you.
• You feel stressed and frustrated because this has never been an issue before.
• You have no pain, burning, or discomfort with erections.
• You are generally healthy but don’t exercise much and have gained some weight in the past few years.

Symptoms & Sexual Function History

• You used to have morning erections but rarely do now.
• Erections are weaker than before, and penetration is difficult.
• You don’t have premature ejaculation, but sometimes you lose the erection before orgasm.
• You still feel sexually attracted to your partner.
• You haven’t had major libido changes, but your confidence is lower, making you less interested in sex.

Red Flags (None Present)

• No sudden onset of symptoms—it has been gradual.
• No penile pain, curvature, or deformity (no Peyronie’s disease signs).
• No issues with urination, frequency, hesitancy, or burning.
• No testicular pain or swelling.

Lifestyle Factors

• You have a sedentary job as an accountant, sitting for long hours.
• You rarely exercise, and your weight has gone up in the past few years.
• Your diet is not great—you eat a lot of processed food and takeaway meals due to your work schedule.
• You drink 2-3 glasses of wine most nights, sometimes more on weekends.
• You smoke socially but wouldn’t call yourself a heavy smoker.
• You sleep poorly and often wake up feeling unrefreshed.
• You feel stressed at work, which has been worse over the past year.

Psychological Factors

• You haven’t been diagnosed with depression or anxiety before.
• You sometimes feel low in mood because of work stress and relationship strain.
• You feel embarrassed talking about this but want to find a solution.

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Concerns & Expectations

• You’re worried this could be a sign of something serious, like heart disease or low testosterone.
• You don’t want to be on medications long-term.
• You don’t want this to damage your relationship, so you need to find a fix.
• You want to know if lifestyle changes will actually work.
• You feel that this shouldn’t be happening at your age.

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Possible Questions for the Candidate

1. “Is this normal at my age?”
2. “Do I need testosterone treatment?”
3. “Could this mean I have heart disease?”
4. “Can I fix this without taking pills?”
5. “How long will it take to improve?”
6. “Will this get worse over time?”

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How to Respond to the Candidate’s Explanations

If the Candidate Explains That ED Has Many Causes:

• “So, you’re saying this isn’t just about getting older?”
• “I thought testosterone was the problem—are you sure?”

If the Candidate Suggests a Heart Health Check:

• “I don’t have chest pain or anything—why would this mean I have a heart problem?”
• “So you think my blood pressure and cholesterol might be involved?”

If the Candidate Recommends Medications (e.g., Sildenafil, Tadalafil):

• “Are these safe? Will I have to take them forever?”
• “I heard they can cause headaches and dizziness—is that true?”

If the Candidate Mentions Lifestyle Changes:

• “Will losing weight and exercising really make a difference?”
• “How long would it take to notice an improvement?”
• “Do I have to completely stop drinking alcohol?”

If the Candidate Suggests Psychological Factors Play a Role:

• “So, are you saying this is all in my head?”
• “How does stress cause this? I don’t feel depressed.”

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Role-Playing Tips for the Candidate Assessment

• You are embarrassed but open to discussion. You’re not defensive, but you feel uncomfortable.
• You are looking for reassurance. If the candidate is supportive and explains things well, you feel relieved.
• You don’t want medications unless necessary. The candidate must provide a good reason for using them.
• If the candidate dismisses your concerns, push back. Ask if this could be a heart problem or hormonal issue.
• If the candidate focuses only on lifestyle changes, express doubt. Say, “Will that actually work, or do I need something stronger?”
• If the candidate does not explain things well, ask for more information. For example, “What exactly does testosterone do?”

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Final Line (If the Candidate Handles the Case Well)

“Thanks, Doctor. I feel a bit better knowing this isn’t a sign of something really bad. I’ll try making some changes and see how it goes. If things don’t improve, I’ll come back for a follow-up.”

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