Sentry Page Protection

Role Play Scenario 38


You are a Maxillofacial consultant and several staff members have approached you regarding your new SHO who they have described as dishevelled and often malodourous. The staff members have signed a petition stating that they will refuse to work on the ward, if action is not taken. You have also noticed the strong body odour, and have arranged a meeting with the junior doctor to discuss the matter further.
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​Average Candidate Approach
  • A direct approach, discussing the issue of odour and appearance without initially building rapport and exploring underlying circumstances.
  • Failure to explore additional issues.
  • Attempts at empathy, without an empathetic tone throughout.
  • Limited/no solutions suggested or follow up arranged.
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​Excellent Candidate Approach
Employs the 6 step approach for MMI role plays:
  1. Introduction
  2. Open Questions
  3. Develop Rapport
  4. Address the issues known
  5. Identify any additional issues
  6. Summary and plan going forward
 
  • Recognises the importance of open-ended questions, rather than rushing to address the issues known.
  • Explores underlying reasons for the issues (recent house move, without present access to bathroom facilities).
  • Identifies any additional issues (eg. Lives with a younger sibling who is also facing similar difficulties).
  • Adopts an empathetic approach, providing appropriate information (eg. It may be appropriate to not mention the fact that colleagues are considering refusing to work given that this will likely further upset the junior doctor and not necessarily affect the underlying circumstances).
  • Suggests appropriate solutions (eg. Use hospital shower facilities as a short term measure. Additionally, offer to assist with the house search and transition. Finally a follow-up meeting would be appropriate to ensure all issues are appropriately addressed).