| Interlocutor: SETTING: HOSPITAL EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT |
| PATIENT: You are very worried about some symptoms you are experiencing. You also suffer from anxiety and feel very agitated and irritated at having to wait to see a medical professional. After 30 minutes, a nurse comes and asks you some questions. TASK: When asked why you have come in, describe your current symptoms (nausea, tightness in chest, dizziness). Express your irritation and agitation at having to wait 30 minutes to be seen. Tell the nurse the symptoms started a month ago, after the death of a friend. Explain that the symptoms come and go but they get worse with each episode. Say that your GP prescribed antidepressants last month. Insist that you don’t need them as you are managing all right. Explain that you only take them when you feel particularly anxious. Explain that you are now feeling a little calmer and agree to take the antidepressants regularly. Ask what will happen next. |
| SETTING: HOSPITAL EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT |
| NURSE: You are a nurse in the Emergency Department and a patient has just arrived in a very agitated state. The patient is worried about some symptoms and is also irritated at having to wait to see a medical professional. TASK: Start the conversation by greeting the patient and asking about the reason for the visit. Apologize for the delay and express understanding of the patient’s concerns. Ask for more details about the symptoms, including when they started and how often they occur. Sympathize with the patient and ask how well he/she is coping with the situation. Find out if he/she is taking any medication. Reassure the patient that the medication is not harmful and will help with the symptoms. Explain that anti-depressants need to be taken regularly and may take up to 4 weeks to be effective. Explain the next steps, which include checking vital signs such as blood pressure, and then seeing the doctor. Reassure the patient that the wait won’t be long. |