OET Speaking Template: Test# 6
OET FOR DOCTORS AND NURSES
By Dr. Taimoor Hassan
Candidate: Afternoon; I am Dr. XYZ, and I am the treating doctor today. How can I help you?
Examiner: Afternoon, Doctor. I am here seeking a prescription of Panadeine Forte for my father, Harry Smith. He fell at home two days ago, and he is in too much pain to walk to the clinic.
Candidate: I'm sorry to know that your father has fallen. Can I just confirm some points before I start? Your father is a 68-year-old male with a history of atrial fibrillation?
Examiner: That's right. His heart condition requires warfarin.
Candidate: Thank you for making that clear. I do appreciate your concern; however, without examining him, I will not be in a position to prescribe the dose of Panadeine Forte for your father. It's all the more important in relation to his history and because he is on warfarin.
Examiner: But my sister gave him some of her Panadeine Forte yesterday and it really helped him with the pain. Why can't you just prescribe that? He's in too much pain to come to the clinic.
Candidate: I can understand how difficult it is for your father and for you all as a family. Unfortunately, it is not safe to prescribe a certain dose of Panadeine Forte for your father without actually seeing him. Given his condition, more so being on warfarin, this should be carefully reviewed to avoid any possible complications. Warfarin does increase the tendency to bleed, and such strong painkillers might interfere with warfarin.
Examiner: It is frustrating, Doctor. You know his history and I have told you he is in pain. Why can't you just help him?
Candidate: I can only imagine how frustrating it is for you. It's actually pretty tough to witness a loved one in pain. My main concern is that the medication I give him should be safe for him. The physical exam is necessary mainly because a fall by a person on warfarin may be predisposed to more injurious complications, like internal bleeding. I need to assure that nothing serious has been overlooked before I give him some heavy doses of medication.
Examiner: I just don't see why it is necessary. You have his history, and I really think he will be fine on the prescription.
Candidate: Thank you for your concern. However, I would be sure that we manage safely the health of your father by recommending a home visit. This way, I would attend to him in his home and therefore adequately assess the extent of the pain, and complications from the fall, and then decide on the most appropriate treatment. How would you feel about it?
Examiner: I really don't think that the house visit is a necessity, but if that is the only way around it, then okay.
Candidate: I must persuade you that this is in your father's best interest. Once I have had the opportunity to see him, I will be able to safely provide appropriate pain relief. Thank you for your understanding. I will arrange the home visit; if you have any further concerns, please do not hesitate to ask.