Speaking · your profession
Answer the person in front of you, not the card
Each card gives you a setting, a worried patient or carer, and tasks to cover. Prepare for three minutes, talk for five. A partner can play the patient from their own card; model conversations appear after you finish.
- Real test
- Two role-plays, about 20 minutes
- Each role-play
- 3 minutes to prepare, 5 to talk
- Criteria
- 4 language, 5 clinical communication
- Recording
- Optional, stays on your device
Nursing cards
- A new device and fear of getting it wrongA respiratory nurse clinic. Explore the patient’s experience and concern.Card 1 · 3 + 5 minutes
- Wound care and worry about washingA community home visit. Explore what the patient understands and has avoided.Card 2 · 3 + 5 minutes
- A carer who fears that a break means giving upA planned home visit. Explore the carer’s daily demands and beliefs about support.Card 3 · 3 + 5 minutes
- Two medicine lists after dischargeA community nursing visit. Explore which list the patient uses and why.Card 4 · 3 + 5 minutes
- An incomplete home monitoring diaryA diabetes nursing follow-up clinic. Invite the patient’s account without blame.Card 5 · 3 + 5 minutes
- A patient whose relative answers firstA rehabilitation discharge discussion. Establish the patient’s preferred way to communicate.Card 6 · 3 + 5 minutes
- A falls referral mistaken for loss of independenceA primary care nursing consultation. Explore the patient’s interpretation of the referral.Card 7 · 3 + 5 minutes
- Stoma confidence before leaving homeA stoma nursing follow-up appointment. Explore the specific fear and its effect on activity.Card 8 · 3 + 5 minutes
- A blood test delayed by needle anxietyAn outpatient blood collection room. Explore the concern behind the opening: "I nearly left before you called my name. I cannot face another needle today."Card 9 · 3 + 5 minutes
- A discharge explanation in the wrong languageA hospital discharge lounge. Explore the concern behind the opening: "My daughter says she can translate, but I do not want her to know everything."Card 10 · 3 + 5 minutes
- A night shift and an appointment conflictA community nursing clinic. Explore the concern behind the opening: "The letter says I failed to attend. I was asleep after working all night."Card 11 · 3 + 5 minutes
- A bedside handover and an overheard detailA general ward. Explore the concern behind the opening: "I do not want my neighbours hearing my history again when they visit."Card 12 · 3 + 5 minutes
- A home visit mistaken for an inspectionA community nursing telephone service. Explore the concern behind the opening: "I need to cancel. My flat is not ready for someone from the hospital to inspect."Card 13 · 3 + 5 minutes
- A rehabilitation goal that feels irrelevantA rehabilitation ward. Explore the concern behind the opening: "Everyone keeps asking about washing. What matters to me is getting back to my choir."Card 14 · 3 + 5 minutes
- An isolation room and a feeling of blameA hospital ward. Explore the concern behind the opening: "Have I done something wrong? Nobody wants to come into this room."Card 15 · 3 + 5 minutes
- A hearing aid missing during an explanationA surgical ward. Explore the concern behind the opening: "I keep saying yes because everyone looks so busy, but I missed most of that."Card 16 · 3 + 5 minutes
- A catheter conversation and fear of losing controlA urology ward. Explore the concern behind the opening: "I want this tube out now. I hate needing help for something so private."Card 17 · 3 + 5 minutes
- A continence appointment and embarrassmentA community continence clinic. Explore the concern behind the opening: "I do not want an examination. I nearly did not come at all."Card 18 · 3 + 5 minutes
- A pain review and fear of being labelledAn orthopaedic ward. Explore the concern behind the opening: "I do not want to be the patient who complains every ten minutes."Card 19 · 3 + 5 minutes
- A weight discussion that feels judgementalA primary care nursing room. Explore the concern behind the opening: "If this is another lecture about my weight, I would rather leave."Card 20 · 3 + 5 minutes
- A smoking discussion and a failed attemptA respiratory follow-up clinic. Explore the concern behind the opening: "I started again. You probably think I wasted everyone's time."Card 21 · 3 + 5 minutes
- A falls alarm and worries about surveillanceA community review appointment. Explore the concern behind the opening: "I do not want a machine listening to everything I say at home."Card 22 · 3 + 5 minutes
- A missed dressing visit and an unreliable doorbellA district nursing telephone service. Explore the concern behind the opening: "I was at home all morning. The note makes it sound as if I could not be bothered."Card 23 · 3 + 5 minutes
- A diet sheet that conflicts with family mealsA renal nursing clinic. Explore the concern behind the opening: "The sheet lists foods we never cook. Am I supposed to stop eating with my family?"Card 24 · 3 + 5 minutes
- A medicine leaflet and an alarming listA community nursing review. Explore the concern behind the opening: "This leaflet is terrifying. Why did nobody tell me all of this could happen?"Card 25 · 3 + 5 minutes
- A sample request and no private bathroomA community clinic. Explore the concern behind the opening: "I cannot do this at home. There are six people sharing one bathroom."Card 26 · 3 + 5 minutes
- A discharge summary with a name errorA discharge lounge. Explore the concern behind the opening: "This is not my surname. How do I know the rest of the page belongs to me?"Card 27 · 3 + 5 minutes
- A carer's request for an update without permissionA hospital ward relatives' room. Explore the concern behind the opening: "I travelled two hours. Surely you can tell me what is going on."Card 28 · 3 + 5 minutes
- A change of nurse and a repeated historyA community clinic. Explore the concern behind the opening: "I have told this story three times. Do I really have to start from the beginning again?"Card 29 · 3 + 5 minutes
- A pressure-care plan and interrupted sleepA hospital ward. Explore the concern behind the opening: "Every time I fall asleep, someone wakes me. I cannot keep doing this."Card 30 · 3 + 5 minutes
- A blood-pressure diary and shared equipmentA primary care nursing clinic. Explore the concern behind the opening: "You asked me to bring a week of readings, but I only managed two days."Card 31 · 3 + 5 minutes
- A group session and fear of speaking publiclyA diabetes education service. Explore the concern behind the opening: "I am not standing up in a room and talking about my health to strangers."Card 32 · 3 + 5 minutes
- A wheelchair discharge journey and an inaccessible taxiA discharge planning meeting. Explore the concern behind the opening: "The taxi company says they cannot take the chair. Everyone keeps telling me the car is booked."Card 33 · 3 + 5 minutes
- A telehealth appointment and no private spaceA community nursing service. Explore the concern behind the opening: "I cannot discuss personal things on video when people are walking through the room."Card 34 · 3 + 5 minutes
- A uniform and a mistaken job roleAn outpatient procedure unit. Explore the concern behind the opening: "You are wearing the same colour as the specialist. Can you tell me exactly what the result means?"Card 35 · 3 + 5 minutes
- A food tray and a cultural concernA hospital ward. Explore the concern behind the opening: "I have not eaten the tray because I do not know what is in the sauce."Card 36 · 3 + 5 minutes
- A new diagnosis and too much information at onceA specialist nursing clinic. Explore the concern behind the opening: "I have a bag full of leaflets and cannot remember a single thing the doctor said."Card 37 · 3 + 5 minutes
- A treatment appointment and childcareAn outpatient nursing unit. Explore the concern behind the opening: "I cannot come on Tuesday. My sister was going to watch the children, but now she cannot."Card 38 · 3 + 5 minutes
- A student observer and uncertainty about saying noA community clinic. Explore the concern behind the opening: "I suppose the student can stay if that is what I am meant to say."Card 39 · 3 + 5 minutes
- A family celebration and a review planA community recovery clinic. Explore the concern behind the opening: "Everyone expects me at the celebration. I need you to say I can go."Card 40 · 3 + 5 minutes
Medicine cards
- An urgent referral mistaken for a diagnosisA general practice consultation. Explore the interpretation of urgent.Card 1 · 3 + 5 minutes
- A normal tracing and symptoms that persistA general practice review. Explore the patient’s interpretation of the normal result.Card 2 · 3 + 5 minutes
- A patient expecting antibioticsA same-day general practice consultation. Ask what the patient expects antibiotics to do.Card 3 · 3 + 5 minutes
- A memory referral and fear of losing controlA general practice follow-up. Explore what the patient fears the referral means.Card 4 · 3 + 5 minutes
- A normal scan and pressure to return to workAn emergency department discharge conversation. Explore work pressure and the interpretation of the scan.Card 5 · 3 + 5 minutes
- A patient unsure whether to restart medicinesA medical discharge discussion. Explore the meaning the patient gives to withheld.Card 6 · 3 + 5 minutes
- A routine sample mistaken for a benign resultA dermatology day-unit discharge conversation. Explore the patient’s interpretation of routine.Card 7 · 3 + 5 minutes
- A patient hesitant about a proposed investigationA specialist outpatient clinic. Explore the source of hesitation.Card 8 · 3 + 5 minutes
- A blood result seen before the consultationA telephone results consultation. Explore the concern behind this opening: The red flag on my screen means something is seriously wrong, doesn't it?Card 9 · 3 + 5 minutes
- A missed specialist appointmentA general practice follow-up. Explore the concern behind this opening: You probably think I couldn't be bothered to go, but that isn't true.Card 10 · 3 + 5 minutes
- An interpreter mistaken for a testA clinic consultation. Explore the concern behind this opening: Are you arranging an interpreter because you think I am not intelligent enough?Card 11 · 3 + 5 minutes
- A partner asking for confidential resultsA family practice consultation. Explore the concern behind this opening: We share everything at home. Why can you not just tell me what the test showed?Card 12 · 3 + 5 minutes
- A proposed observer in the roomAn outpatient review. Explore the concern behind this opening: If I say no to the student, will you think I am being difficult?Card 13 · 3 + 5 minutes
- A scan delayed by equipment failureA hospital outpatient conversation. Explore the concern behind this opening: You have cancelled twice. Does nobody care what happens to me?Card 14 · 3 + 5 minutes
- A patient declining a chaperoneA pre-examination consultation. Explore the concern behind this opening: Why do I need another person watching something so private?Card 15 · 3 + 5 minutes
- A confusing change in clinic clinicianA specialist review. Explore the concern behind this opening: I told my whole story last time. Must I start from the beginning again?Card 16 · 3 + 5 minutes
- An occupational form and a requested guaranteeA general practice paperwork appointment. Explore the concern behind this opening: Can you write that I am completely safe to do every part of my job?Card 17 · 3 + 5 minutes
- A home reading that differs from the clinicA monitoring review. Explore the concern behind this opening: Your number is different from mine. Which machine should I trust?Card 18 · 3 + 5 minutes
- A referral rejected for missing informationA referral discussion. Explore the concern behind this opening: They rejected me, so does that mean my symptoms are not worth treating?Card 19 · 3 + 5 minutes
- A relative dominating the consultationA supported outpatient appointment. Explore the concern behind this opening: My brother means well, but he answers every question before I can speak.Card 20 · 3 + 5 minutes
- A new symptom during a routine appointmentA booked medication review. Explore the concern behind this opening: I know the appointment is nearly over, but there is something else I was afraid to mention.Card 21 · 3 + 5 minutes
- A rehabilitation referral mistaken for dismissalA follow-up consultation. Explore the concern behind this opening: Are you sending me to rehabilitation because you have given up finding out what is wrong?Card 22 · 3 + 5 minutes
- A request to record the consultationA complex follow-up discussion. Explore the concern behind this opening: Would you mind if I recorded this? I never remember what was said afterwards.Card 23 · 3 + 5 minutes
- A patient who cannot read the printed planA discharge discussion. Explore the concern behind this opening: I left my glasses at home. Could you just tell me which part matters?Card 24 · 3 + 5 minutes
- An appointment offered only by videoA telephone access discussion. Explore the concern behind this opening: Everyone says video is easier, but it is not easier for me.Card 25 · 3 + 5 minutes
- A patient angry about a note errorA record clarification appointment. Explore the concern behind this opening: Your letter says I refused help. I never said that.Card 26 · 3 + 5 minutes
- A patient asking about an incidental findingA scan-results review. Explore the concern behind this opening: The report mentions a second thing. Why did nobody tell me about that first?Card 27 · 3 + 5 minutes
- An adolescent seeking time without a parentAn adolescent clinic appointment. Explore the concern behind this opening: Can I talk without my mum in the room, or will you tell her everything afterwards?Card 28 · 3 + 5 minutes
- A patient worried about an unknown tabletA medication reconciliation appointment. Explore the concern behind this opening: This new tablet is on one list but not the other. Am I supposed to guess?Card 29 · 3 + 5 minutes
- A patient unable to afford transportA specialist referral review. Explore the concern behind this opening: If I cannot pay for the journey, I suppose I just do not get the appointment.Card 30 · 3 + 5 minutes
- A patient refusing another trainee attemptA procedure preparation discussion. Explore the concern behind this opening: I do not want the same person trying again. Am I allowed to say that?Card 31 · 3 + 5 minutes
- A delayed discharge and family pressureA ward update. Explore the concern behind this opening: My family has already come to collect me. Why can I not leave now?Card 32 · 3 + 5 minutes
- A screening invitation after a previous resultA preventive-care discussion. Explore the concern behind this opening: Why have I been invited again if the last result was all right?Card 33 · 3 + 5 minutes
- A patient asking for an immediate second opinionA treatment-options consultation. Explore the concern behind this opening: If I ask another doctor, will you stop looking after me?Card 34 · 3 + 5 minutes
- A patient distressed by weight-focused languageA general practice review. Explore the concern behind this opening: Before I start, please do not make this another appointment only about my weight.Card 35 · 3 + 5 minutes
- A patient who wants a family member told firstA results-planning appointment. Explore the concern behind this opening: Can you tell my sister first and let her decide what to tell me?Card 36 · 3 + 5 minutes
- An uncertain appointment purposeA first specialist visit. Explore the concern behind this opening: I thought you were doing the treatment today. Why else would I be sent here?Card 37 · 3 + 5 minutes
- A research invitation mistaken for compulsory careA clinic information discussion. Explore the concern behind this opening: Will refusing the study mean I cannot have my usual treatment?Card 38 · 3 + 5 minutes
- A patient worried about a change of treatment planA multidisciplinary review. Explore the concern behind this opening: Last week you suggested one thing and now there is another option. Which doctor made a mistake?Card 39 · 3 + 5 minutes
- A bereaved relative seeking an explanationA planned family meeting. Explore the concern behind this opening: Everyone uses careful words, but nobody tells me why things happened so quickly.Card 40 · 3 + 5 minutes
Dentistry cards
- A filling and an unexpected choiceGeneral dental clinic. Compare repair and extraction, including the gap after extraction.Card 1 · 3 + 5 minutes
- Bleeding gums without blamePreventive dental clinic. Explore why bleeding led to avoiding cleaning.Card 2 · 3 + 5 minutes
- A child afraid of an examinationFamily dental clinic. Explore the previous frightening visit.Card 3 · 3 + 5 minutes
- An uncomfortable new dentureDenture review clinic. Explore effects on eating and any attempted self-adjustment.Card 4 · 3 + 5 minutes
Dietetics cards
- Food choices on a night shiftOutpatient nutrition clinic. Map meals against the rotating night shift.Card 1 · 3 + 5 minutes
- A supplement replacing mealsCommunity nutrition clinic. Check whether the prescribed drink has replaced meals.Card 2 · 3 + 5 minutes
- Conflicting family advicePaediatric dietetics clinic. Explore family pressure to try cow’s milk.Card 3 · 3 + 5 minutes
- A restrictive online dietOutpatient dietetics clinic. Identify excluded food groups and the online belief about fatigue.Card 4 · 3 + 5 minutes
Occupational Therapy cards
- Returning to cooking after strokeCommunity rehabilitation service. Identify breakfast as the patient’s chosen participation goal.Card 1 · 3 + 5 minutes
- Equipment that feels like losing independenceHome assessment service. Explore the seat’s meaning and appearance at home.Card 2 · 3 + 5 minutes
- Fatigue and a return to office workVocational rehabilitation clinic. Explore afternoon fatigue and feared employer judgement.Card 3 · 3 + 5 minutes
- A child’s difficult school morningsPaediatric occupational therapy clinic. Explore differences between rushed mornings and relaxed dressing.Card 4 · 3 + 5 minutes
Optometry cards
- A referral after an eye examinationCommunity optometry practice. Explore fear linked to a relative’s sight loss.Card 1 · 3 + 5 minutes
- Contact lenses and a painful red eyeUrgent optometry clinic. Explore the painful red eye and event-related lens request.Card 2 · 3 + 5 minutes
- New glasses and unrealistic expectationsOptometry review clinic. Clarify the tasks and distances causing difficulty.Card 3 · 3 + 5 minutes
- A child’s first spectaclesFamily optometry practice. Explore dependency beliefs and the parent’s experience of teasing.Card 4 · 3 + 5 minutes
Pharmacy cards
- Two boxes that look differentCommunity pharmacy. Identify both amlodipine 5 mg packs as the same medicine.Card 1 · 3 + 5 minutes
- An over-the-counter request during treatmentCommunity pharmacy consultation room. Clarify the ibuprofen request and knee symptoms.Card 2 · 3 + 5 minutes
- Fear after reading a medicine leafletOutpatient pharmacy. Identify atorvastatin 20 mg nightly and feared unexplained muscle pain.Card 3 · 3 + 5 minutes
- A complicated discharge listHospital discharge pharmacy. Explore small-print difficulty and home medicine stock.Card 4 · 3 + 5 minutes
Physiotherapy cards
- Pain during a home exercise programmeMusculoskeletal clinic. Confirm prescribed five supported sit-to-stands once daily versus actual ten twice daily.Card 1 · 3 + 5 minutes
- Walking after surgery with a framePostoperative rehabilitation ward. Explore identity concerns and living alone.Card 2 · 3 + 5 minutes
- Breathlessness and fear of rehabilitationRespiratory rehabilitation clinic. Explore the frightening episode and avoided shop walk.Card 3 · 3 + 5 minutes
- Returning to a manual jobOutpatient rehabilitation clinic. Clarify actual lifting tasks and Monday’s expectations.Card 4 · 3 + 5 minutes
Podiatry cards
- A painless foot woundHigh-risk foot clinic. Establish when the painless wound was noticed.Card 1 · 3 + 5 minutes
- Footwear and a special occasionPodiatry clinic. Explore the wedding and footwear appearance concern.Card 2 · 3 + 5 minutes
- An ingrowing nail and fear of treatmentPodiatry assessment clinic. Clarify that attendance does not imply procedural consent.Card 3 · 3 + 5 minutes
- An orthosis left in the cupboardBiomechanics follow-up clinic. Explore non-use without blame.Card 4 · 3 + 5 minutes
Radiography cards
- An MRI and claustrophobiaMRI department. Explore the enclosed-space experience and current anxiety.Card 1 · 3 + 5 minutes
- A contrast scan and a previous reactionCT department. Clarify the previous injection, reaction, timing and treatment.Card 2 · 3 + 5 minutes
- Pregnancy screening before an X-rayGeneral radiography department. Explain the repeated radiographer screening check.Card 3 · 3 + 5 minutes
- Waiting for an imaging resultDiagnostic imaging department. Explore fear of cancer and the family-trip uncertainty.Card 4 · 3 + 5 minutes
Speech Pathology cards
- Aphasia and being spoken overStroke rehabilitation clinic. Address the patient directly and invite their preferred support.Card 1 · 3 + 5 minutes
- A swallowing plan and disliked drinksSwallowing review clinic. Explore reduced intake and disliked texture.Card 2 · 3 + 5 minutes
- A child who stammers at schoolChildren’s communication clinic. Explore parental beliefs about repeating or slowing speech.Card 3 · 3 + 5 minutes
- Voice strain and a teaching jobVoice therapy clinic. Explore classroom vocal demands and fears about asking for support.Card 4 · 3 + 5 minutes
Veterinary Science cards
- A dog’s treatment and limited fundsVeterinary consultation room. Explore the dog’s lameness and the owner’s budget.Card 1 · 3 + 5 minutes
- A cat that resists medicationVeterinary follow-up clinic. Establish prescribed medicine, schedule and missed doses.Card 2 · 3 + 5 minutes
- A senior dog and a difficult decisionVeterinary quality-of-life consultation. Explore comfort, appetite, mobility and valued activities.Card 3 · 3 + 5 minutes
- A rabbit eating lessVeterinary telephone triage service. Clarify last normal intake, droppings and behaviour.Card 4 · 3 + 5 minutes