The candidate card
Setting
Immunisation clinic
Candidate
You are a nurse in an original independent practice scenario; all patient details and local arrangements below are fictional case facts. Mr Gianni Scamarcio, aged 40, has attended a routine vaccination appointment, but says he has fainted during a previous needle procedure and wants to leave immediately; no vaccine has been given. For this case, the clinic's local policy provides for people with a fainting history to receive vaccination lying on an examination couch, with staff observation afterwards, and a private room is available for discussion without proceeding to vaccination. You can offer a discussion today or arrange another appointment with a support person; vaccination would require the usual screening, vaccine-specific information and his voluntary consent.
Task (interlocutor: patient)
- Find out how Mr Scamarcio feels now, what happened when he fainted previously and what worries him most about today's appointment.
- Acknowledge his request to leave and explain that vaccination is his choice; ask whether he would like a brief discussion without any procedure.
- Explain the available positioning and support options, including lying on the couch because of his fainting history, privacy and keeping equipment out of view.
- Explore what would help him feel in control, including his preferred explanations and an agreed signal to pause or stop.
- Agree his preferred next step, which may be discussion only, another appointment or leaving today; check his understanding and explain that any new faintness needs immediate staff attention.
In the test you get 3 minutes to read the card and plan, then about 5 minutes to talk. This card is original, written for this site; the interlocutor's card is not shown.
Prepare this card, then say it out loud.
Plan your opening and the tasks below. Keep these notes when you move to the AI role-play.
You are a nurse in an original independent practice scenario; all patient details and local arrangements below are fictional case facts. Mr Gianni Scamarcio, aged 40, has attended a routine vaccination appointment, but says he has fainted during a previous needle procedure and wants to leave immediately; no vaccine has been given. For this case, the clinic's local policy provides for people with a fainting history to receive vaccination lying on an examination couch, with staff observation afterwards, and a private room is available for discussion without proceeding to vaccination. You can offer a discussion today or arrange another appointment with a support person; vaccination would require the usual screening, vaccine-specific information and his voluntary consent.
Getting your plan ready…
Preparation is free without an account. AI conversation and marking need sign-in; your first role-play is free. Notes are saved on this device when available. This checklist is your plan, not a score.
How to approach this card
- Establish whether he feels faint now before exploring the previous episode. Then invite him to identify the hardest part of today; likely concerns could involve fainting again or losing control, but let his account determine your response.
- Address his wish to leave before offering solutions, so support does not sound like persuasion. Make the option of a brief private conversation clearly separate from agreement to vaccination; the usual trap is treating continued conversation as permission to proceed.
- Introduce practical options after hearing his concern, linking each to what he describes. Explain the local lying-down and observation arrangements simply, then offer privacy and equipment kept out of view without suggesting these measures guarantee he will not faint.
- Build control through specific agreements rather than broad reassurance: establish how much explanation he prefers and what a pause or stop signal means. Avoid assuming that detailed descriptions will help; ask which information he wants before discussing procedural details.
- Close around his chosen next step, including a support person if he prefers another appointment. If time is short, prioritise a clear shared decision and understanding over further persuasion; explain that any new faintness needs immediate staff attention.
Model route: what a strong candidate might say
Example lines in a workable order for about 5 minutes: opening, key questions, the patient's concern, explaining, then the close. Use them to plan, not to memorise: the patient's replies are not scripted here, and your next line should follow what they actually say.
1. Opening
- “Hello Mr Scamarcio, I'm the nurse here today. I'm glad you spoke up. No vaccine has been given, and nothing will happen without your agreement.”
- “How are you feeling at the moment, and what's making you want to leave?”
2. Key questions
- “Can you tell me what happened when you fainted before, and what worries you most about today?”
- “Would you be willing to stay for a short chat in a private room, with no procedure at all?”
- “What would help you feel more in control, such as how much explanation you want and a signal to pause or stop?”
- “Which next step feels right to you: talking today, another appointment with a support person, or leaving today?”
3. Handling the patient's concern
Likely concern: He is likely worried about fainting again and feeling out of control.
- “That's understandable. It is completely your choice, and you're free to leave. Whether to be vaccinated is up to you, and nothing will go ahead unless you agree.”
- “If it would help, we can just talk in a private room first, with no procedure and no equipment in view.”
4. Explaining
- “Because you've fainted before, we'd have you lie on the examination couch, and staff would observe you afterwards. We can use a private room and keep equipment out of your sight.”
- “You could also just talk today, or book another appointment and bring a support person. Any vaccination would need the usual screening, vaccine information and your consent. Does that make sense?”
5. Closing
- “So we'll go with the step you've chosen, and we'll pause or stop whenever you give the signal. If you feel faint at any point, tell a staff member straight away.”
- “Could you tell me what you'll do if you start to feel faint, even after you leave the room? Is there anything else you'd like to ask?”
Phrases to adapt
Use your own words; these show the register, not lines to memorise.
- Thank you for telling me before we started.
- You do not need to apologise for feeling worried.
- Have I missed anything important about your previous experience?
- Would you like a moment to think before answering?
Medical words in plain English
| Term | How you might say it to the patient |
|---|---|
| voluntary consent | Your freely given agreement to have the vaccination. |
| screening | The usual checks before deciding whether to give the vaccine. |
| staff observation | Staff watching how you are feeling afterwards. |
How this card is marked
Two assessors mark the recording on nine criteria: intelligibility, fluency, appropriateness of language and resources of grammar and expression (each 0–6), then relationship building, understanding and incorporating the patient's perspective, providing structure, information gathering and information giving (each 0–3). See the AI Speaking practice guide for what each criterion looks for.
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Questions about this role-play
Should I explain vaccine benefits and side effects during this conversation?
The vaccine is not identified, so do not supply specific benefits, side effects or eligibility advice. If he asks, acknowledge that he would need information about the particular vaccine before deciding. A discussion about support arrangements does not replace the usual screening, vaccine information or consent.
Can I describe his previous fainting as a diagnosed needle phobia?
No diagnosis is provided. Use his description of the experience and ask what happened, rather than assigning a label. Keep the distinction between a past episode and how he feels now clear; neither his attendance nor his wish to leave establishes a diagnosis.
What if he asks whether leaving means he has refused vaccination permanently?
Distinguish today's decision from any future decision. The card allows him to leave today or arrange another appointment, so do not frame departure as a permanent refusal. Ask whether he wants another appointment arranged, and avoid assuming that he has committed to vaccination by choosing one.
What if he decides to leave halfway through the conversation?
Accept it calmly as his choice, with no pressure. Make sure he knows to tell staff immediately if he feels faint before leaving, and offer another appointment with a support person. Leave the door open without trying to talk him round.
What if he asks to just get the vaccine over with quickly?
Slow things down without lecturing. Explain that vaccination still needs the usual screening, vaccine information and his voluntary consent, and that he would lie on the couch because of his fainting history. Check he still wants to proceed once he has heard the options.
Sources
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