OET Speaking Template: Test# 8
By Dr. Taimoor Hassan
Roleplay Script - Doctor's Perspective
Location: Suburban Polyclinic
Persons Involved:
Doctor - You
Patient - Male, 45 years old
Case History:
You have a married patient, 45 years old with three teenagers and a very successful consultancy business. His mother-in-law, upon being diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease, started living with them three months back. The patient is striving to juggle family and work commitments and is beginning to despair about how they will manage to support their mother-in-law. As a result, sleep has become fitful, and the patient is asking for sleeping pills.
Roleplay: The Doctor-Patient Interaction
Patient:
Good morning, doctor. I really have not been sleeping well lately, and I am anxious all the time. I was hoping you can prescribe me some sleeping pills. I think that will make me feel better.
Doctor:
Doctor:
Good morning; sorry to hear that you have been feeling this way. From what you say, it does seem that lately you have been under a lot of stress. If you could just tell me a bit more about what's been happening?
Patient:
Patient:
Yes, it has just been overwhelming. My mother-in-law came to live with us three months ago after being diagnosed with Alzheimer's. I juggle taking care of her, having my business run, and my kids looked after. It's just so much, and I have really not slept all that well either. Of course, sleeping pills will help.
Doctor:
Doctor:
That is quite a load, and quite understandable, as it weighs on your brain, and you're not sleeping so well. But let me talk about the sleeping pills now. Though they are very helpful for some short-term relief, there's a risk of dependence. In a long period of time, your body could be so dependent on these that you would sleep, which just causes more problems longer term.
Patient:
Patient:
[Offended] I am not an addictive kind of person! I do not have the personality of an addict. I just need something that can help me sleep so that I can handle everything better.
Doctor:
Doctor:
I hear you, and not to say you would purposely become dependent on them, but even for people who aren't usually at risk, the body can still build a tolerance. This makes it hard to get off of them, and after a while, they may not work as well. There are other ways we can manage your anxiety and improve your sleep naturally.
Patient:
Patient:
[Angry] I don't understand. Why won't you just prescribe the pills? I know they'll help me, and I need something to stop feeling like this. You're telling me to manage it, but I can't even sleep!
Doctor:
Doctor:
I completely understand how frustrating it feels, and I will try to find a solution that will really find its way to the very core of your anxiety and loss of sleep. And despite the fact that sleeping pills may be highly attractive, they will not improve the root stress a person is under. There are other ways to feel better with the problem long-term, such as stress management techniques, physical exercises on a regular basis, and optimization of one's sleep environment conditions.
Patient:
Patient:
Still distressed, listens, and says, "What am I supposed to do in the meantime? I can't continue this way."
Doctor:
Doctor:
I know it is hard at the moment. One of the things which can be very helpful is paying attention to your sleep hygiene-things like going to bed at regular times, avoiding screens before bedtime, making sure your room is dark and quiet. It would also be useful if you could take a little time off during the day, sat back, and relaxed, even for five or ten minutes. I would also strongly advise you to see a counsellor or psychologist who can teach you better stress management techniques that may be applicable to your case.
Patient:
Patient:
[Sighing] I am not so sure that would help, but okay, I can try it.
Doc:
Doc:
I really think this may be a lot of help, and I am here to support you through it. We can do this one step at a time. If we find it necessary later to return with medication, we will. For the meantime, let's find a better way of dealing with this anxiety. Would you like me to refer you to a counsellor?
Patient:
Patient:
[Sighs] Okay, I'll try.
Doctor:
Doctor:
That's great to hear; now, I will schedule the referral for you, and in the meantime, I can give some tips on stress management and how to improve sleep. Let's do this together.
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