Station 33
Donald Duke
Age: 64 years old female
Patient
Patient's Story (Role player’s brief)
Patient’s Story
You are Donald Duke, a 64-year-old man, and you have booked a telephone consultation to discuss a DNACPR decision (Do Not Attempt Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation).
You were recently deeply affected by your brother’s experience, who suffered a cardiac arrest, was resuscitated, but sadly developed a severe brain injury and now remains in a persistent vegetative state.
You should describe him as “a vegetable”
You find the memory of his prolonged suffering emotionally traumatic.
As a result, you have developed a strong personal aversion to the idea of resuscitation and feel very clear that, if a similar event were to happen to you, you would not want to be resuscitated.
Although you are currently well, aside from having hypertension managed with ramipril, this is something you have thought about carefully and feel strongly about.
Social History: You do not smoke or drink alcohol. You are a businessman who runs a restaurant and your life as stable and fulfilling. You live with your lovely wife, and you have 2 sons who do not live with you but comes to visit every 2 weeks. You have not discussed your decision for DNACPR with your wife or sons.
Idea: You understand that CPR involves chest compressions and may not always lead to a full recovery.
Concern: You are worried about the risk of survival with poor quality of life, particularly ending up in a similar condition to your brother.
Expectation: You want the doctor to complete a DNACPR form.
If the doctor advises you calmly or suggests involving your family, you should be open to discussion and accept their recommendation.
However, if the doctor does not guide the conversation or seems uncertain, you may say that you’ve already made up your mind and would like to proceed with signing the DNACPR form.
Questions for the Doctor
“Is a DNACPR legally binding?” “If we sign this DNACPR form, can another doctor change or override it later?”
“If I have a DNACPR, does that mean I won’t be admitted to hospital for anything else?”
Say NO to any other questions asked outside of the details already provided in the scenario. Accept anything offered to you by the doctor.