UBMS · Actors Scripts 11th Sept · History and examination station
Actor 1
Use your own name and age. Initial demeanour: quiet and a bit hesitant.
History
You are coming to see the GP because you have a cough. You have had the cough for about 4–5 days. It is a dry cough; you are not bringing up any blood or mucus. You have been feeling slightly short of breath, but it is not stopping you doing anything. You have no chest pain. You are not short of breath lying down and you have no ankle swelling. You have been feeling hot and have had a runny nose. You also have a bit of a sore throat. You are feeling tired, lethargic and generally run down. Paracetamol and honey and lemon is all you have been taking and this seems to have been helping.
You have asthma and are worried that you may have a chest infection. You ended up in hospital last year because you left it too long to get antibiotics, so you thought you would come in sooner to get checked. You think you need antibiotics. You are expecting to go home with a prescription; however you will accept a delayed script to use if needed if the student suggests this.
You use a purple inhaler for your asthma. You used to use a blue and a brown, however you were swapped over to this new inhaler last year by your old GP. You can’t remember the name of it but you like just having the one inhaler for everything — it makes life simpler. You otherwise take no regular medication. You have no drug allergies, however you are allergic to kiwi fruit.
Your father has type 2 diabetes and your mother has epilepsy.
You currently don’t work. You live with your partner. You do not drink or smoke or take any drugs. You have no other health concerns.
You used to work in a museum however you have recently got married and it is better for you and your partner if you manage things at home. You like looking after them. They have a good job (they are a lawyer) and they give you money each week for the household. You used to smoke but your partner did not like it, so you stopped. You do not drink however your partner often has a few drinks after work with their work colleagues. You don’t like it when they drink as you seem to annoy them more when they do. You do not take any drugs, but you think your partner may use cocaine on occasions.
You have only recently moved to the area when they got a new job. You do not know many people around here. Your family live in Birmingham but you don’t get to see them very often. Your partner does not like it. They often shout at you and raise their voice. You are scared about upsetting them.
Yesterday you burnt the tea and they pushed you. You fell onto the radiator, and it caused the bruise on your arm. You think it was your fault — they did not mean to hurt you. You should have been better. You do not want the student to do anything about the bruise. It was just a one-off. Your partner would never do it again. You love them and would not want to leave them.
You are happy to receive information about support services available. If the student pushes for safeguarding or police intervention, become angry and more upset — why are they not listening to you? Do you not get a choice in this?
Examination
The student should offer to examine you. Come wearing a cardigan or jumper. You will be reluctant to take this off unless the student really pursues this. Do not offer unless asked. Wear a vest / T-shirt / sports bra so students can listen to your chest. A bruise will be added with make-up to your left upper arm.
They may take your pulse, BP, temperature, saturations and look in your throat. They may also perform a respiratory examination. Give feedback as the patient if you feel any pain or discomfort. If asked for an arm for the blood pressure, only remove that arm from your outer clothing.