| PATIENT. Role play. SETTING: Hospital |
| You are 44 years old and in hospital following medical assessments for fainting (syncope). The assessments indicate postural hypotension as the cause. The nurse is explaining the discharge plan with you and reviewing the instructions for you to monitor your blood pressure when you return home. You express concern about being sent home. TASK: • When asked, say you are feeling anxious about going home; you think it might be too soon. • Say the doctor explained when and how to monitor your blood pressure, but you can’t really remember what he said. • Agree to follow the instructions and document the readings. Ask what you need to do if you get any abnormal readings. • Say you live with your spouse, who will be looking after you, and other family live close by. • Say that you will attend the review appointment in one week’s time and bring the readings with you. |
| Nurse. Role play. SETTING: Hospital |
| Your patient is 44 years old and preparing for discharge following medical assessments for syncope (fainting). Preliminary tests indicate postural hypotension as the cause. You are discussing the discharge plan and reviewing instructions for the patient to monitor his/her blood pressure (BP) at home. TASK: Explain reason for seeing patient (discharge discussion). Find out how patient is feeling about going home. Reassure the patient about the discharge decision, emphasizing that it was made by a multidisciplinary team and is dependent on a satisfactory assessment with no danger to their health. Explain how to take blood pressure readings (twice daily, at the same time, for one week, and document readings). Advise patient to contact doctor if he/she has any concerns about readings. Find out about support patient has at home (family, friends, neighbours, etc.). Reaffirm importance of support network (e.g., family, neighbours, GP, etc.). Advise need for review appointment in one week’s time (check BP, look at readings, discuss any issues/concerns, etc.). |