Excercise

Role playing patient discussions about medication

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Part 1: Setting the scene

1. Ask participants to describe a situation (e.g., inpatient or outpatient, child (with parent) or elderly patient who does not speak English well, etc.)
2. Have participants choose roles (patient, ordering MD, nurse, pharmacist, etc.)
3. Where appropriate and beneficial to the learning process, introduce an error into the scenario.

Part 2: Selecting and Ordering

1. Ask the appropriate role players to conduct a conversation about the patient's medication history and status.
2. Follow that discussion with one about the new drug being ordered. Be sure the discussion covers past experience, expectations, instructions, side effects, etc.
3. Where appropriate and beneficial to the learning process, introduce an error into the scenario.

Part 3: Preparing and Administering

1. Ask the appropriate role players to conduct a conversation between the patient and the pharmacist at the time the patient first picks up his/her new prescription.
2. Where appropriate and beneficial to the learning process, introduce an error into the scenario.

Part 4: Side Effects

1. Ask the appropriate role players to conduct a conversation between the patient and his/her physician (or nurse) regarding a worrisome side effect.
2. Where appropriate and beneficial to the learning process, introduce an error into the scenario.

Part 5: Assessment

1. Ask all participants and observers to evaluate the communication issues encountered during the role playing.