Station 41
Steve Hutchinson
Age: 68 years old male
Patient
Patient's Story (Role player’s brief)
Patient’s Story
Opening Statement: “Hi Doctor, I’d like to talk about my COPD — it’s getting worse and I’m not sure what to do anymore.”
If asked to elaborate:
You feel your COPD has been progressively worsening. Your main issue is severe breathlessness. You now get short of breath even when walking a very short distance, less than 100 metres.
You do not experience chest pain, racing of your heart (palpitations), leg swelling, waking up at night due to breathlessness (paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnoea), or difficulty lying flat when sleeping (orthopnoea). You’ve been using your inhalers regularly as prescribed and have always attended follow-up appointments as advised.
You were recently discharged from the respiratory clinic, and you do not wish to return for further hospital-based treatment or specialist reviews. You are currently mostly bedbound and rely heavily on your wife for daily support. Unfortunately, she suffers from chronic back pain herself and struggles to manage.
You’re tired of being in and out of hospital and do not want to try more medications that may bring side effects without much benefit.
Social History: Ex-smoker, you do not drink alcohol, and you live at home with your wife. You are a retired bus driver. Your shopping is done by your son who comes every 2 weeks
Ideas: You believe your COPD is clearly deteriorating. You want to avoid any more hospital admissions or referrals and prefer to manage everything through your GP.
Concerns: You’re starting to feel like a burden to your wife, who is already coping with her own physical limitations(Chronic back pain).
Expectations: You would like the GP to help improve your breathing and clearly explain what options or next steps are available in your current situation.