Malaria prophylaxis

Asked for 23 JAN 2021 OET speaking session

PATIENT. Role play. Setting: Community Heath Centre.
You are 35 years old and are going on a rip soon. You know that you need to take Malaria medication but are concerned as you have suffered from depression in the past, and you’ve read that there is some malaria mediation you shouldn’t take. Task: § When asked, say you’re going on a trip around southeast Asia soon. Say you know you need to take malaria medication but you’ve had depression in the past and you’ve read that there is some malaria medication you shouldn’t take. § Say you’re going to be traveling for a month and will be mainly in rural areas, but plan to visit some cities too. § Say you’d rather not take medication for so long when you return, so maybe you can just try to avoid getting bitten. § Say you don’t want to take medication for a long time because you’re worried about the side effects. § Say you don’t want to have those problems. Agree to take the medication.
Nurse. Role play. Setting: Community Heath Centre.
You see a 35-year-old patient who is going on a trip soon and needs to take malaria medication. He/she is concerned about taking this medication as he/she has suffered from depression in the past, and has read that there is some malaria medication he/she shouldn’t take. Task: • Find out reason for patient’s visit. • Find out relevant details about trip (length of visit, rural/urban, etc.), • Recommend doxycycline for malaria prophylaxis (no contraindications for patients with history of depression, etc). Give details of dosage (100mg daily with food, Iwo days before trip, during trip and four weeks after return, etc). • Stress the need for both medication and bite prevention measures (e.g., high-risk area visited, length of visit etc). Give reasons for long dose of doxycycline (e.g.: reluctance to take medication over long period of time). • Give details of possible side effects (e.g., Heartburn, upset stomach, increased risk of sunburn etc.) Warn patient of risks of not taking medication if malaria is contracted (e.g.: heart/kidney problems, etc).

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Model answer

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✅ OET Speaking Role Play: Community Health Centre

Nurse | Scenario: Malaria Medication Advice

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NURSE:
Good morning, my name is John, and I’m one of the registered nurses here at the community health centre. How can I assist you today?

PATIENT:
Hi, I’m Mary. I’ll be travelling to Southeast Asia soon, and I think I need to take malaria medication. But I’m a bit concerned because I’ve had depression in the past, and I read that some medicines might not be safe for me.

NURSE:
Thank you for sharing that, Mary. I completely understand your concern. Before we move forward, could I collect a few details to guide you better? Would that be okay?

PATIENT:
Sure.

NURSE:
Could you tell me your age?

PATIENT:
I’m 35.

NURSE:
And which parts of Southeast Asia are you planning to visit?

PATIENT:
Mainly rural areas, but I’ll also visit a few cities.

NURSE:
And how long will you be staying?

PATIENT:
About a month.

NURSE:
Thank you. Based on the information you’ve given, I would recommend doxycycline as a prophylactic malaria medication. I’d like to reassure you—this medicine is not contraindicated for people with a history of depression, so it’s safe for you to take.

PATIENT:
Are you sure? I really don’t want my mental health to get worse.

NURSE:
Absolutely, Mary. Your safety is our priority, and doxycycline has no proven link to worsening depression. It’s widely used and well tolerated, even in patients with similar histories.

Let me explain how to take it. You’ll need to start taking 100mg once daily with food, two days before you travel, continue every day during your stay, and for four weeks after returning.

PATIENT:
That’s quite a long time. I was hoping to avoid taking it for so long. I might just rely on mosquito creams and try to avoid bites.

NURSE:
That’s understandable, and using bite-prevention measures like creams and nets is certainly helpful. However, because you’ll be in rural, high-risk areas for an extended time, medication is strongly advised. Relying only on external protection puts you at risk of contracting malaria, which can have serious complications.

PATIENT:
I see. I’ve also read that doxycycline can have side effects. I’m worried about that too.

NURSE:
That’s a valid concern. Like most medications, doxycycline can cause side effects in some people—heartburn, mild stomach upset, or increased sun sensitivity are the most common. These are usually mild and temporary, especially when taken with food and proper precautions. In most cases, the benefits far outweigh the risks.

PATIENT:
Alright… And what could happen if I don’t take the medication and get infected?

NURSE:
If malaria is contracted, it can lead to severe health issues like kidney failure, liver damage, or even heart complications. It can become life-threatening if not treated early. That’s why prevention is so critical.

PATIENT:
I didn’t realise it could get that bad. Okay, I think I’ll take the medication.

NURSE:
That’s a wise decision, Mary. I’ll also give you written instructions to help you keep track of the dosage. Do you have any more questions or concerns?

PATIENT:
No, I think everything’s clear now.

NURSE:
Great. To summarise, you’ll be starting doxycycline two days before your trip, continuing daily while you’re away, and for four weeks after your return. It’s safe for your history of depression, and the side effects are manageable. If anything worries you during the course, don’t hesitate to contact us.

PATIENT:
Thank you very much.

NURSE:
You’re most welcome. Safe travels, and take care!

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🔍 Why this gets Band A:

• ✅ Full coverage of bullet points (medication, concerns, dosage, trip details, resistance, reassurance)
• ✅ Use of empathetic, structured language
• ✅ Explains benefits vs. risks clearly
• ✅ Provides summarising statements
• ✅ Encourages questions and patient engagement