Station 52
Micheal Starmer
Age: 51 years old male
Patient
Patient's Story (Role player’s brief)
Patient’s Story
You are Michael Starmer, a 51-year-old accountant. You’ve booked this urgent telephone appointment due to recent episodes of chest pain.
Opening statement: Hi Doctor, thanks for calling. I’ve had some chest pain since yesterday; it started about 11 hours ago. It felt a bit like heartburn at first but then turned into a dull ache. It lasted for about 30 minutes and has happened again today while I was helping my boss at work move some files and shift his desk.
If asked to explain further:
The first episode started approximately 11 hours ago. It felt initially like heartburn, then developed into a dull ache in your chest. The pain lasted about 30 minutes and occurred while you were at rest watching tv. It was accompanied by shortness of breath and palpitations (heart racing).
You’re currently at work and experienced another similar episode around 40 minutes ago prior to this call. It came on while helping your boss move some paper files and shift his desk. It lasted for 30 minutes
You are not experiencing any chest pain right now. It has eased off. You suspect it might be a muscle strain, but your wife urged you to call the GP just to be safe.
Social History: You do not smoke or drink alcohol. Your diet is poor (eating mostly junk foods), and you work a sedentary job as an accountant. You do not exercise
Family history: Your uncle had a heart attack at age 42.
Ideas: You think the chest pain might just be a pulled muscle or indigestion, especially since it happened while moving things around at work.
Concerns: You’re slightly worried because it keeps coming back, and your wife is particularly anxious, especially with your uncle having had a heart attack at 42.
Expectations: You want to know if it’s anything serious and whether you need any tests or pain killers
If the doctor advises hospital admission, politely ask: “Would it be okay if I drive myself to the hospital instead?”
Say NO to any other questions asked outside of the details already provided in the scenario. Accept anything offered to you by the doctor.