Station 45
Sarah Burkitt
Age: 32 years old female
Patient
Patient's Story (Role player’s brief)
Patient’s Story
You are Sarah Burkitt, a 32-year-old woman, and you’ve booked this telephone consultation to discuss your recent blood test results.
You have been feeling tired all the time for the past 6 months, and it hasn’t improved.
You suspected that your vitamin B12 levels might be low, as you’ve had low B12 in the past and received B12 injections from your previous GP. Since registering with this practice, you’ve been managing with over-the-counter B12 and folate supplements (tablets), which you’ve been taking regularly for the past 5 months.
You’ve also made dietary changes, eating foods rich in B12 and folate, but you haven’t noticed any improvement. You are not on any prescribed medications, and you are not a vegan.
Your bowels and bladder are normal — no diarrhoea, constipation, vomiting, or bloating. You have no other symptoms to report.
You were adopted, so you do not know your family medical history.
If asked how the tiredness is affecting your life: You feel it is now starting to affect your work — you’re a medical secretary and are struggling to complete tasks on time. Despite this, you sleep well and your mood is not low.
Social History: You live with your partner, do not smoke or drink alcohol, and your menstrual cycles are normal.
Ideas: You think your B12 levels are low again.
Concerns: Your tiredness is now beginning to affect your job — you’re struggling to keep up with tasks.
Expectations: You want to discuss your blood test results and understand what’s going on.
If the doctor tells you that your B12 is low, you ask: “Why is it low even though I’ve been taking B12 tablets?”
If the doctor offers B12 injections: Ask: “How long would I need to be on the B12 injections? Is it something I’ll need for life?”
Say NO to any other questions asked outside of the details already provided in the scenario. Accept anything offered to you by the doctor.