8 Speaking Role-play Practice Questions with Sample Answers | OET

In the OET Speaking sub-test you take part in two role-plays based on your profession. You play the health professional, and an interlocutor plays the patient, a relative or a carer, using a role card that sets the scene and lists what you need to do. This post gives you 8 OET Speaking role-play cards from across the health professions, each with a sample role-play you can study. The sample dialogues show how a strong candidate greets the patient, asks clear questions, explains things in simple words, responds to worries without judgement, and agrees a plan. Use them as models for how to structure your own role-play.

Role-play 1: Dentist and patient (tongue piercing)

Setting: General dental practice

Dentist: You are speaking to Felix Grant, who has attended for a routine check-up. You have noticed a small chip in the enamel of a lower front tooth and signs that his tongue piercing may be contacting his teeth. Felix becomes uncomfortable when the piercing is discussed.

Task

• Ask Felix about the piercing, including how long he has had it and any symptoms or habits he has noticed
• Explain the examination findings and how repeated contact with the jewellery can affect teeth and gums
• Explore Felix's views about the piercing and respond to his concerns without judgement
• Discuss the benefits of removing the jewellery while respecting Felix's right to decide
• Offer practical harm-reduction measures if Felix is not ready to remove it
• Check Felix's understanding and agree on monitoring, treatment of the chipped tooth and follow-up

Sample role-play

Dentist: Good morning, Felix. Thanks for coming in for your check-up. Before we finish, would it be alright if we talked about a couple of things I noticed today?

Felix: Sure, I suppose so.

Dentist: I noticed you have a tongue piercing. Could you tell me a little about it, such as how long you have had it?

Felix: About two years. Why, is there a problem?

Dentist: I would like to understand a bit more first, if that is okay. Have you noticed anything yourself, like the jewellery tapping your teeth, or any sensitivity?

Felix: Sometimes it taps my teeth when I talk. I didn't think it mattered.

Dentist: Thank you, that's helpful. Do you ever move it against your teeth out of habit?

Felix: Yeah, I guess I do. Look, I really like this piercing.

Dentist: I hear you, and it's completely your decision. I'm not here to tell you what to do. Would it be alright if I explain what I found, and then we can talk it through together?

Felix: Okay.

Dentist: On your lower front teeth I found a small chip in the enamel, which is the hard outer layer of the tooth. Repeated contact with the metal can slowly wear or chip that layer, and it can also press on the gum so it pulls back over time. Does that make sense so far?

Felix: Yeah. So you're saying take it out.

Dentist: I can see why it sounds that way. Removing it would be the most reliable way to protect your teeth and gums, but I understand it matters to you, so the choice is yours. Would you be open to some ways to lower the risk if you'd like to keep it?

Felix: Go on.

Dentist: You could switch to a smaller piece, or one with a plastic ball instead of metal, try to notice when you're tapping it, and keep the area clean. Would any of those feel manageable?

Felix: The plastic ball sounds doable. I'm not ready to remove it.

Dentist: That's completely fine, and thank you for being honest with me. So, to check I've understood, you'd like to keep the piercing for now and try a plastic ball while watching the tapping habit. Have I got that right?

Felix: Yes.

Dentist: Great. I'd also like to smooth and keep an eye on the chipped tooth today, and see you again in about three months to check the gum and enamel. How does that sound?

Felix: That works.

Dentist: Thank you, Felix. That's a sensible plan, and you can change your mind at any point.

Role-play 2: Nurse and patient (compression stockings)

Setting: Vascular clinic.

Nurse: You are speaking to a 67-year-old patient who was prescribed compression stockings to manage lower-leg swelling. The patient finds the stockings difficult to use and is considering abandoning them.

Task

• Explore the patient's experience of using the stockings and identify practical difficulties.
• Find out what the patient understands about the purpose of compression therapy.
• Explain how the stockings help and discuss the likely consequences of not wearing them as advised.
• Describe a safe, manageable routine for putting on, removing and caring for the stockings.
• Discuss aids, adjustments and sources of support that could make daily use easier.
• Check the patient's understanding and agree on a realistic plan for continued use and follow-up.

Sample role-play

Nurse: Good morning, and thanks for coming in today. I'm one of the nurses here at the vascular clinic. I understand the compression stockings have been a bit of a struggle, so I'd like to hear how you've been getting on and see how we can make them work better for you. Would that be alright?

Patient: Yes, that's fine. To be honest, I've been thinking about just giving up on them.

Nurse: I appreciate you being so honest with me, and that's exactly what I want to understand. Can you tell me a bit about how you've found using them day to day?

Patient: The main problem is getting them on. They're so tight I have to fight with them every morning, and by the time they're on I'm worn out.

Nurse: That sounds really frustrating, especially first thing in the morning. What is it about putting them on that you find hardest?

Patient: Bending down to my feet is difficult, my back isn't great, and my fingers can't grip the material. I'm also never sure how to wash them, so I've just left them.

Nurse: Thank you, that's really helpful. So the main hurdles are bending down, gripping the fabric, and not being sure how to care for them. Have I understood that correctly?

Patient: Yes, that's about it.

Nurse: Before I explain how they help, I'd like to hear your side of it. What's your understanding of why the stockings were prescribed?

Patient: Something to do with the swelling, I think. I assumed it was just to make my legs look less puffy, so honestly it didn't feel that important.

Nurse: That's a really common assumption, so I'm glad you said it. The stockings give a gentle, steady squeeze to your lower legs. That pressure helps the blood and fluid move back up towards your heart instead of pooling around your ankles, which is what causes the swelling. So it's less about how the legs look and more about keeping the fluid moving. Does that make sense so far?

Patient: Yes, that's clearer than before. But what happens if I just stop wearing them?

Nurse: That's a good question to ask. If the fluid is left to pool, the swelling builds up again, the skin around the ankles can become dry, hard or discoloured over time, and in some cases it can break down into a sore, what we call a leg ulcer, which is slow to heal. Wearing them as advised is really about preventing that. How does that sit with you?

Patient: I didn't realise it could go that far. That does worry me, but the mornings are still such a battle.

Nurse: I completely understand, and it's fair to feel that way. The good news is there are ways to make it far less of a battle. Would it help if I talked you through a simpler routine and a few aids?

Patient: Yes, please, that's really what I need.

Nurse: The best time to put them on is first thing in the morning, before you're up and about, because your legs are least swollen then. With dry skin, gather the stocking down into the foot part first like rolling up a sock, ease it over your heel, then smooth it up your leg a little at a time rather than yanking it. To take them off, just roll them down gently at the end of the day. For washing, a gentle hand-wash in warm water and air-drying away from direct heat keeps the stretch in them. Shall I go over any of that again?

Patient: No, that makes sense. But my hands and my back are still the problem.

Nurse: That's where some simple aids really help. There's a device called a stocking donner, which is a frame you slide the stocking onto so you don't have to grip and bend as much, and rubber gloves give you far more grip on the fabric. A long-handled reacher can save you bending right down too. I can arrange for you to be shown a donner here and give you a spare pair of stockings so one can be worn while the other is washed. Would any of those feel worth trying?

Patient: The frame and the gloves sound like they'd make a real difference. My daughter pops in most mornings too, so she could help until I get the hang of it.

Nurse: That sounds like a great support to have. So let me check I've got the plan right. You'll try a stocking donner and rubber gloves to make putting them on easier, use a reacher to save your back, hand-wash and air-dry them with a spare pair on rotation, and your daughter will help in the mornings while you get used to it. Does that feel realistic?

Patient: Yes, that actually sounds manageable now. I feel a lot better about keeping them on.

Nurse: I'm really pleased to hear that, and thank you for sticking with it. To make sure it's working, I'd like to see you again in about four weeks to check the swelling and how you're getting on with the aids. If the skin becomes sore or the stockings feel too tight before then, please call us and don't wait. Does that plan work for you?

Patient: Yes, that works. Thank you, that's been really helpful.

Nurse: You're very welcome. You've made a sensible decision, and we'll take it step by step together.

Role-play 3: Doctor and patient (palpitations)

Setting: Cardiology outpatient clinic

Doctor: You are speaking to Lena Cross, a 33-year-old patient who has experienced intermittent palpitations. Her ECG, heart monitor and echocardiogram were reassuring, and the monitor recorded occasional ectopic beats. She remains worried about the sensations and says she intends to stop exercising.

Task

• Find out how the palpitations have affected the patient and explore her main concern
• Ask about the symptoms, possible triggers and any changes since the tests
• Explain the test results and ectopic beats in clear, non-technical language
• Reassure the patient without dismissing her experience or concerns
• Discuss practical ways to reduce symptoms and explain when further medical assessment is needed
• Agree on a safe, gradual plan for returning to physical activity and check her understanding

Sample role-play

Doctor: Good morning, Lena. I'm one of the doctors in the cardiology clinic. I've got the results of your tests here, and I'd like to go through them and hear how you've been. Would that be alright?

Lena: Yes, please. I've been really anxious about all of it.

Doctor: I can understand that, and I'm glad you told me. Before we get to the results, could you tell me how the palpitations have been affecting you day to day?

Lena: They come out of nowhere, this fluttering in my chest. It scares me. I keep thinking something serious is going on with my heart, so I've decided to stop going to the gym.

Doctor: That sounds unsettling, and I can see you're trying to protect yourself. I'd like to come back to the exercise in a moment. First, when you feel the fluttering, do you notice anything else alongside it, like dizziness, breathlessness, or chest pain?

Lena: No, not really. Just the flutter, and my heart kind of skips, then it settles after a few seconds. It usually happens when I've had a lot of coffee, or when I'm stressed.

Doctor: Thank you, that's really helpful. Since we did the tests, have the sensations changed at all, more often, less often, or about the same?

Lena: About the same, I'd say. Still a few times a week.

Doctor: Okay. May I explain what the tests showed, and then we can talk through what it means for you?

Lena: Yes, go ahead.

Doctor: We did three things. An ECG, which is a tracing of your heart's electrical activity, a monitor that recorded your heartbeat over time, and an echocardiogram, which is an ultrasound scan of the heart's structure. The good news is that all three were reassuring, and the heart looks healthy. The monitor did pick up ectopic beats. That just means every so often the heart adds an extra beat a little early, and then there's a slightly longer gap before the next one, and that gap is often what people feel as a flutter or a skip. It's very common, and in a healthy heart like yours it isn't dangerous. Does that make sense so far?

Lena: It's a relief, I suppose. But part of me still worries you might be missing something.

Doctor: That's a very natural worry, and I don't want to brush your experience aside, because the sensations are real and clearly frightening. What I can say is that the tests we use to look for anything serious have all come back clear, so I'm genuinely reassured, and I'd like to help you feel that way too. Would it help to talk about some practical things that can ease the symptoms?

Lena: Yes, that would help.

Doctor: Ectopics are often more noticeable when we're low on sleep, stressed, or have had a lot of caffeine, which fits with what you told me. So cutting back on coffee, resting well, staying hydrated, and finding ways to manage stress can all reduce how often you notice them. Would any of those feel manageable to start with?

Lena: Cutting down the coffee, definitely. I drink far too much. But what about the gym?

Doctor: Before the gym, I want to be clear about when to seek further advice. If palpitations ever come with chest pain, fainting, or severe breathlessness, or if they suddenly become much more frequent, please get checked promptly. Otherwise, occasional flutters that settle on their own are nothing to be alarmed by. Is that clear?

Lena: Yes. Chest pain, fainting, or breathlessness, or a big change.

Doctor: Exactly. Now, about exercise. For a healthy heart like yours, staying active is good for you, so stopping isn't necessary. I'd suggest easing back in gradually rather than going all out. Perhaps start with gentle walking and build up over a couple of weeks as your confidence grows. If a flutter happens, just slow down, let it settle, and carry on if you feel fine. How does that sound?

Lena: That feels much less scary than jumping straight back in. I think I can do that.

Doctor: Let me check I've captured everything. Your tests were all reassuring, the flutters are harmless extra beats, you'll cut down on caffeine and rest well, you'll ease back into activity starting with walking, and you'll seek help if you get chest pain, fainting, breathlessness, or a sudden big change. Have I got that right?

Lena: Yes, that's exactly it. Thank you, I feel much calmer.

Doctor: I'm really glad. Let's arrange a follow-up in about six weeks to see how you're getting on, and you can contact the clinic before then if anything worries you. You're doing the right things, Lena.

Role-play 4: Pharmacist and patient (osteoporosis tablet)

Setting: Community pharmacy

Pharmacist: You are speaking to Hana Cross, who has been prescribed weekly alendronic acid for osteoporosis. She says the instructions about taking it after getting up and remaining upright are difficult to fit around her early-morning caring responsibilities.

Task

• Find out exactly how Hana has been taking alendronic acid and what makes the routine difficult
• Explore her understanding of the administration instructions and any concerns about the medicine
• Explain in simple terms why alendronic acid must be taken with plain water on an empty stomach and why remaining upright is important
• Clarify what remaining upright involves and how food, drinks and other medicines should be timed
• Ask about missed doses and possible adverse effects, and advise when she should seek medical help
• Agree a practical routine and explain that the prescriber should review the treatment if the recommended method remains unmanageable

Sample role-play

Pharmacist: Good morning, Hana. I'm one of the pharmacists here. Thanks for coming to the counter. I understand you had some questions about your osteoporosis tablet, the alendronic acid. Would it be alright if we talk it through for a few minutes?

Hana: Yes, please. Honestly, the instructions are a bit of a nightmare with my mornings.

Pharmacist: That sounds really stressful, and I'm glad you told me. Before we look at how to make it easier, could you talk me through exactly how you've been taking it at the moment?

Hana: I take one tablet on a Sunday. I try to take it when I wake up, but I'm usually rushing to help my mother, so sometimes I take it with my tea and sit down again.

Pharmacist: Thank you, that's really helpful. What is it about the routine that makes it hardest for you?

Hana: Staying upright and not eating. My mother needs help getting up early, so I can't just sit there for half an hour doing nothing, and I need my tea.

Pharmacist: I can absolutely see why that feels impossible on a busy morning. Can I ask, what have you understood so far about how this tablet is meant to be taken?

Hana: Just that it's on an empty stomach with water, and you're supposed to stay standing. I don't really know why, so I don't always bother.

Pharmacist: That's a fair question, and it's good you asked. Is there anything about the medicine itself that worries you?

Hana: A little. My friend said it can upset your stomach. I don't want that on top of everything else.

Pharmacist: Thank you for being honest, that's a common worry and I'm glad you raised it. May I explain why the instructions are the way they are, and then we can look at how to fit them into your morning?

Hana: Yes, go ahead.

Pharmacist: The tablet is only absorbed well when your stomach is empty, so plain water is important. Tea, coffee, milk or food can stop it working, which is why we say water and nothing else. Does that make sense so far?

Hana: Okay, so the tea really is a problem. What about staying upright?

Pharmacist: Good question. The tablet can irritate the food pipe, the tube that carries food from your mouth to your stomach, if it sits there instead of going down. Staying upright helps it pass through and lowers the chance of that irritation you were worried about. When we say upright, that means sitting or standing, not lying down or going back to bed, for about thirty minutes. How does that sound?

Hana: So I can be up and about, I just can't lie down or eat?

Pharmacist: Exactly right. You can move around and help your mother, that's completely fine. The two rules are plain water only, and no food, other drinks or other tablets for thirty minutes. After that half hour you can have your tea, breakfast and any other medicines as normal. Shall I tell you what to do if a dose ever gets missed?

Hana: Yes, because I'm sure I'll forget one day.

Pharmacist: If you forget it in the morning, please don't take it later that same day. Wait until the next morning, take one tablet, then carry on with your usual Sunday. We never double up. And can I mention the signs to watch for?

Hana: Please do.

Pharmacist: Some people get mild stomach upset. But if you get new heartburn, pain when swallowing, or pain behind the breastbone, please stop the tablet and contact your doctor. Does that all feel clear?

Hana: Yes, that's clearer than before. But I still don't know how to find thirty quiet minutes.

Pharmacist: Let's solve that together. You already help your mother early, so what if the tablet becomes the very first thing you do when you get up, with a glass of water by the bed, and then you do all your caring tasks standing during that thirty minutes, and have your tea afterwards? Would that fit your morning?

Hana: Actually, yes. If I'm on my feet helping her anyway, that's the thirty minutes right there.

Pharmacist: That's a really practical plan. So, to check I've got it right, on Sunday you'll take one tablet first thing with plain water, stay upright helping your mother for thirty minutes, then have your tea and breakfast, and you'll call the doctor if you get swallowing pain or heartburn. Have I understood you correctly?

Hana: Yes, that's it.

Pharmacist: And if this ever stops being manageable, please don't just skip it. Your prescriber can review the treatment, as there are other options and even ways to take it that don't need this routine. Would you be happy to raise it with them if it gets difficult?

Hana: I will, thank you. I feel much better about it now.

Pharmacist: I'm really glad. You're doing a lot looking after your mother, and this is a sensible plan. Do come back any time if anything else comes up.

Role-play 5: Physiotherapist and patient (using stairs after knee surgery)

Setting: Outpatient rehabilitation clinic

Physiotherapist: You are speaking to Alan Bell, who recently had a knee replacement. His recovery is progressing well, and assessment in the clinic shows adequate strength and balance for supported stair practice. However, he has been avoiding the only staircase in his home and is currently sleeping downstairs.

Task

• Find out how Alan is managing at home and what happens when he considers using the stairs.
• Explore his specific concerns about stair climbing and acknowledge their effect on his confidence.
• Explain why his current assessment indicates that supported stair practice is appropriate.
• Describe a safe stair technique, including use of the handrail and correct leg sequence.
• Propose a gradual practice plan that begins with manageable steps and includes suitable support.
• Check Alan's understanding and agree on realistic goals before the next appointment.

Sample role-play

Physiotherapist: Good morning, Alan. It's good to see you again. Your assessment today went really well. Before you head off, would it be alright if we talked about how you're getting on with the stairs at home?

Alan: Yes, that's fine. Though I'll be honest, I've been keeping away from them.

Physiotherapist: Thank you for telling me. Could you talk me through a normal day at home, and how you're managing at the moment?

Alan: Well, I've moved a bed into the front room, so I sleep downstairs now. I can get around the ground floor okay, but I just haven't gone up.

Physiotherapist: I see. And when you think about using the stairs, what happens for you?

Alan: To be honest, I get a bit anxious. I keep picturing my knee giving way and me falling. So I just avoid it.

Physiotherapist: That sounds really unsettling, and it makes complete sense that you'd want to avoid something that feels risky. Can you tell me a little more about what worries you most, the going up, the coming down, or something else?

Alan: Coming down, definitely. Going up I could maybe manage, but coming down feels like there's nothing to stop me.

Physiotherapist: Thank you, that's really helpful to understand. It's clear this has been knocking your confidence, and having to sleep downstairs can't be easy either. None of that is unusual after surgery, and we can work on it together.

Alan: I'd like to get back upstairs, I just don't want to rush it and end up hurt.

Physiotherapist: That's a very sensible way to think about it. May I explain what today's assessment showed, and then we can decide together what feels right?

Alan: Yes, go ahead.

Physiotherapist: The tests we did measure the strength in your leg and your balance, which is how steady you are on your feet. Both of those came back at a good level, strong enough to start practising stairs with support. So your body is ready, even if it doesn't feel that way yet. Does that make sense so far?

Alan: It does. I suppose I didn't realise I'd got that far along.

Physiotherapist: You really have. Now, when we practise, there's a safe way to do it that keeps you in control. Would you like me to talk you through the technique?

Alan: Please, yes.

Physiotherapist: The main rule is to always hold the handrail for support. Going up, you lead with your good leg first, then bring the operated leg up to meet it. Coming down, it's the other way round, the operated leg goes down first, then the good leg follows. A simple way to remember it is good leg up to heaven, bad leg down to earth. How does that sound?

Alan: Good leg up, operated leg down first coming back. I think I can picture that.

Physiotherapist: That's exactly right. And we wouldn't start with the whole flight. I'd suggest we begin with just one or two steps while I'm there beside you, then add a few more each time as your confidence grows. Would starting small like that feel manageable for you?

Alan: Yes, one or two steps I could face. It's the thought of the whole staircase that puts me off.

Physiotherapist: Then we'll build up gradually, and you set the pace. For now, at home you could stay downstairs, and we'll do the stair practice here with me supporting you until you feel steady. Just to check I've understood you, your main worry is coming down, and you're happy to start with a couple of steps here with support. Have I got that right?

Alan: That's it exactly.

Physiotherapist: Lovely. So before your next appointment, shall we aim for a realistic first goal, practising a couple of steps up and down with the handrail and me alongside, and see how you feel? We can always adjust.

Alan: Yes, I'd be happy with that. It feels a lot less frightening put that way.

Physiotherapist: I'm really glad. You've made great progress, Alan, and we'll take the stairs one small step at a time. I'll see you at the next session and we'll get started.

Role-play 6: Dietitian and patient (gestational diabetes)

Setting: Maternity clinic, outpatient dietetics service

Dietitian: You are speaking to a pregnant patient who was recently diagnosed with gestational diabetes. She has been monitoring her blood glucose and is finding it difficult to plan food between meals. She is concerned about keeping her readings within the recommended range.

Task

• Find out how the patient has been managing the diagnosis and interpreting her blood-glucose readings
• Explore her current meal pattern, appetite and approach to snacks
• Explain why spacing balanced meals and snacks across the day can support glucose management
• Discuss suitable snack combinations and appropriate portions in relation to her routine and preferences
• Agree on two or three realistic snack options she can prepare or carry easily
• Check her understanding and explain how the plan can be reviewed using her readings

Sample role-play

Dietitian: Good morning, and thanks for coming in today. I'm one of the dietitians here at the maternity clinic. I understand you were recently told you have gestational diabetes, which is diabetes that can appear during pregnancy. Would it be alright if we spent some time going through how things have been going with your eating and your blood-glucose readings?

Patient: Yes, please. Honestly, I've been finding it a bit stressful.

Dietitian: That's completely understandable, and it's very common to feel that way at the start. Could you tell me a little about how you've been managing since the diagnosis?

Patient: I'm checking my blood sugar like they showed me, but I'm never quite sure if the numbers are okay or not.

Dietitian: Thank you for being open about that. When you look at your readings, what do you understand about what a good range looks like for you?

Patient: They gave me some target numbers, but between meals I sometimes go a bit high and I panic that I'm harming the baby.

Dietitian: I can hear that worry, and I want to reassure you that spotting these readings and coming in is exactly the right thing to do. One high number now and then is information we can work with, not a sign you've done something wrong. Would it help if we looked together at what's happening around those between-meal times?

Patient: Yes, that would really help.

Dietitian: Let's start with a normal day. Could you walk me through what your meals usually look like, from when you wake up?

Patient: Breakfast is quite early, then I'm busy and I often don't eat again until a late lunch. By then I'm starving, so I eat a lot.

Dietitian: That's really useful, thank you. And in that long gap before lunch, how's your appetite, and do you tend to have anything to snack on?

Patient: I get very hungry, but I've kind of stopped snacking because I thought snacks would push my sugar up.

Dietitian: That's a really common thing to assume, and it makes complete sense that you'd think so. May I explain how meals and snacks affect your glucose, and then we can talk it through together?

Patient: Please do.

Dietitian: When there's a long gap and then a large meal, your body gets a big surge of sugar all at once, and that's often when readings jump. Spacing balanced meals and smaller snacks across the day gives your body a steadier, smaller amount to handle each time, so the readings tend to stay more even. Does that make sense so far?

Patient: It does, actually. So a small snack might help, not hurt?

Dietitian: Exactly, when it's the right kind. The trick is to pair a food with slow-release energy, like wholegrain or fruit, with a little protein, which just means foods like cheese, yoghurt, nuts or eggs. The protein helps slow the sugar down. What sorts of foods do you usually enjoy?

Patient: I like yoghurt, and I usually have some fruit and crackers in the house.

Dietitian: Those work really well. So a small pot of plain yoghurt with a piece of fruit, or a couple of wholegrain crackers with a little cheese, would be a balanced mid-morning snack. On portions, we're aiming for something that fits in your hand rather than a full meal, roughly a small handful. How would something like that fit into your morning?

Patient: That sounds doable. I could keep some at my desk.

Dietitian: That's a great idea. Shall we agree on two or three easy options you can prepare or carry, so you're never caught out when you're busy?

Patient: Yes. Yoghurt and fruit, the crackers with cheese, and maybe a small handful of nuts for when I'm out.

Dietitian: Those are three excellent choices, and all easy to carry. Just so I know I've explained it clearly, could you tell me why spacing these snacks through the day might help your readings?

Patient: Because I'm giving my body smaller amounts to deal with instead of one big load, so the numbers stay steadier.

Dietitian: That's exactly right, you've got it. Here's how we'll check it's working. Keep taking your readings as you have been, and note what you ate before any number that seems high. When we review your log together, we can see the pattern and adjust the snacks if we need to. Would you be able to come back in about two weeks so we can look at it?

Patient: Yes, I can do that. I feel much calmer about it now.

Dietitian: I'm really glad. To sum up, you'll add a small balanced snack in your long gaps, keep to those three easy options, and jot down what you eat before any higher reading, and we'll review it all in two weeks. And please remember, the readings are there to guide us, not to judge you. You're doing a great job.

Role-play 7: Podiatrist and patient (foot pain and surgery)

Setting: Community podiatry clinic

Podiatrist: You are speaking to Joel Cross, a 46-year-old patient with a bunion on the right foot. Joel finds it increasingly difficult to buy comfortable shoes and has requested an immediate referral for surgery. The clinical assessment shows mild tenderness but no skin damage, marked restriction of movement or significant loss of function.

Task

• Find out about Joel's pain, footwear difficulties, daily activities and expectations of treatment
• Explore why Joel wants surgery now and acknowledge the frustration caused by finding suitable shoes
• Explain that the appearance of a bunion alone does not determine whether surgery is appropriate and that referral does not guarantee an operation
• Discuss conservative options, including appropriately fitted footwear, shoe modifications, protective padding and simple pain relief when suitable
• Explain when surgical assessment may be considered, including persistent pain or functional limitation despite conservative management
• Agree on a practical management plan and arrange review if symptoms worsen or remain troublesome

Sample role-play

Podiatrist: Good morning, Joel. Thanks for coming in. My name's Sam and I'm the podiatrist you'll be seeing today. I understand you've been having trouble with your right foot, so I'd like to hear a bit about it and then we can work out the best way forward together. Would that be alright?

Joel: Yes, that's fine. Honestly, I've come in because I want to be referred for surgery on this bunion.

Podiatrist: Thank you for being so clear about what you're after. Before we get to that, could you tell me a little about how the foot has been affecting you day to day?

Joel: It's mainly the shoes. I can't find anything comfortable anymore, and by the end of the day it aches.

Podiatrist: That sounds really frustrating, especially when it's something as everyday as putting on a pair of shoes. Can you tell me more about the pain itself, like when you notice it most?

Joel: Usually after I've been on my feet a while. It's a dull ache around the big toe joint. It's not agony, but it's always there in the background.

Podiatrist: That's helpful, thank you. Does the pain stop you doing any of the things you'd normally do, like work, walking or exercise?

Joel: Not really stops me, no. I still get around and do my job. It's more that it nags at me and the shoe thing drives me mad.

Podiatrist: I understand. And when it comes to footwear, what kinds of shoes have you tried, and what tends to go wrong with them?

Joel: I've tried wider ones, but they either look terrible or they still rub over the bump. Shopping for shoes has become a real ordeal.

Podiatrist: That really is wearing, having to plan around something most people don't think twice about. May I ask what you're hoping treatment will do for you overall?

Joel: I just want it sorted properly. That's why I think surgery is the answer, so I can get on with normal shoes and not worry about it.

Podiatrist: Thank you, that makes complete sense, and I can hear how much the daily hassle has built up. Can I ask what's made you feel that now is the right time to go for an operation?

Joel: It's just gone on long enough. I don't see it getting better on its own, so why wait?

Podiatrist: That's a fair way to feel after putting up with it for so long. Would it be alright if I explain what I found when I examined your foot today, and then we can talk through the options together?

Joel: Go ahead.

Podiatrist: When I checked the joint, there was some mild tenderness, so it's a bit sore to press, but the skin over the bump is healthy with no breaks or damage. The toe still moves well, and the foot is still working the way it should. What that tells me is the bunion is bothering you, but it isn't at the stage where it's damaging the foot or limiting how it functions. Does that make sense so far?

Joel: Sort of. But it's clearly a big bump, so surely that means it needs operating on?

Podiatrist: I can see why the size of it would suggest that. The thing is, how a bunion looks on its own doesn't decide whether surgery is the right step. It's the pain and how much it's affecting your function that guide that decision. And it's worth knowing that even a referral doesn't guarantee an operation, because the surgeon weighs up the same things we're talking about now. How does it feel hearing that?

Joel: A bit disappointing, to be honest. I thought I'd walk out with a referral today.

Podiatrist: That's completely understandable, and I'm not ruling anything out. What I'd like to do is offer you some things that often help with exactly the problems you've described, the aching and the shoe trouble. Would you be open to hearing them?

Joel: Alright, yes.

Podiatrist: There are a few options. Properly fitted footwear with a wide, deep toe area takes the pressure off the joint, and I can point you to where to get that measured. We can also look at small shoe modifications, and protective padding that cushions the bump so it doesn't rub. And for the ache after a long day, simple pain relief like paracetamol can help when it's suitable for you. Shall I go over any of those in more detail?

Joel: The padding and the footwear advice sound useful, actually. I didn't realise there was much beyond just buying bigger shoes.

Podiatrist: I'm really glad that's helpful. And to be clear about the surgery question, it isn't off the table. Surgical assessment is usually considered when the pain sticks around or the foot starts to limit what you can do, despite trying these conservative measures. So if things don't settle, that's the point where a referral makes much more sense. Is that clearer?

Joel: Yes, that actually makes sense when you put it like that.

Podiatrist: So, just to check I've got everything right, the main issues are the daily ache and the real struggle to find comfortable shoes, and you'd been hoping surgery would fix that quickly. Have I understood that properly?

Joel: Yes, that's it exactly.

Podiatrist: Then here's what I'd suggest as a plan. Let's get you into well-fitted footwear, sort out some protective padding, and use simple pain relief on the days it aches. Give that a fair go, and we'll arrange a review to see how you're getting on. Does that sound workable for you?

Joel: Yes, I'm happy to try that.

Podiatrist: Great. And this isn't a one-way door. If the pain gets worse or it starts holding you back day to day, come back sooner and we'll revisit the surgical route then. How does that sit with you?

Joel: That sounds fair. Thank you, I feel better about it now.

Podiatrist: You're very welcome, Joel. Thanks for talking it through so openly, and remember you can get in touch at any point if things change.

Role-play 8: Optometrist and patient (eye drops)

Setting: Eye clinic, consulting room

Optometrist: You are speaking to Alan Bell, who was prescribed lubricating eye drops for dry-eye symptoms. He has stopped using the drops because they briefly sting after application and is concerned that they may be harming his eyes.

Task

• Ask about the stinging, including its severity, duration and any associated eye symptoms
• Explore how the patient has been using and storing the drops and whether they improved his dry-eye symptoms
• Explain the difference between brief, mild stinging and effects that require prompt assessment
• Address the patient's concerns and explain why regular lubrication may still be beneficial
• Discuss practical options, including reviewing the formulation, and agree on a safe plan
• Check the patient's understanding and explain when to seek urgent eye care

Sample role-play

Optometrist: Good morning, Alan. Thanks for coming in. I understand you were using the lubricating drops for your dry eyes, and I'd like to hear how you've been getting on with them. Would that be alright?

Alan: Yes, that's fine. Honestly, I stopped them. They stung, and I got a bit worried they might be doing my eyes some harm.

Optometrist: Thank you for telling me that, and I'm glad you brought it up. Let's take a proper look at it together. Can you tell me a bit more about the stinging, what it actually felt like?

Alan: Just a sharp little sting right after I put a drop in. Nothing dramatic, but enough to put me off.

Optometrist: That's helpful. And how long did that stinging last after you put the drop in?

Alan: Only a few seconds, then it settled down.

Optometrist: Alright. Alongside the stinging, did you notice anything else, such as redness, blurred vision, or any pain that stayed with you?

Alan: No, nothing like that. My sight was fine and there was no lasting pain, just that brief sting.

Optometrist: That's reassuring to hear. Can you talk me through how you were actually using the drops, for example how often and how you put them in?

Alan: Once or twice a day, I suppose. I'd tilt my head back and squeeze one in near the corner of the eye.

Optometrist: Thanks. And where were you keeping the bottle between uses?

Alan: On the windowsill in the kitchen, so I'd remember to use them.

Optometrist: Good to know. While you were using them, did they make any difference to the dryness itself, the gritty or tired feeling?

Alan: Actually yes, my eyes did feel more comfortable during the day. That's partly why I'm a bit annoyed I had to stop.

Optometrist: So the drops were easing the dryness, and it's really the stinging and the worry that got in the way. Have I understood that correctly?

Alan: Yes, exactly. I just don't want to be damaging anything.

Optometrist: That's a very sensible concern, and I want to explain the difference clearly. A brief, mild sting for a few seconds, with no lasting redness, pain, or change in your vision, is common and usually harmless. It's a bit like putting water on slightly sore skin. What would worry me is different, and I'll explain what to watch for. Does that sound okay so far?

Alan: Yes, please go on.

Optometrist: The signs that need a prompt check are stinging that carries on for many minutes, strong or lasting pain, marked redness, swelling, or any drop in your vision. From what you've described, brief and settling with nothing else, that fits the harmless kind rather than the worrying kind. Is that clearer?

Alan: It is, that's a relief actually. So the drops probably weren't hurting me.

Optometrist: That's right, and it's understandable you were cautious. The reason I'd still encourage regular lubrication is that dry eye tends to come back when the drops stop, and keeping the surface of the eye moist helps it stay comfortable and protected. Stopping altogether often lets the dryness return, which you'd already noticed easing. How do you feel about that?

Alan: That makes sense. I'd be happy to use them again if the stinging could be sorted.

Optometrist: There's a lot we can do there. One option is to review the formulation and move you to a preservative-free drop, which many people find gentler and less stinging. Storing the bottle somewhere cool rather than on a sunny windowsill can help too. Would you be open to trying a preservative-free version?

Alan: Yes, I'd give that a go.

Optometrist: Let's do that then. So the plan is to switch you to a preservative-free lubricating drop, keep it stored somewhere cool, and use it regularly through the day for the dryness. Does that plan feel manageable to you?

Alan: Yes, that sounds fine.

Optometrist: Just to make sure I've explained it well, would you mind telling me in your own words when you'd need to seek urgent eye care?

Alan: If I get pain that doesn't go away, lots of redness, or my vision changes, I should get it looked at quickly.

Optometrist: That's spot on. Brief stinging that settles is fine, but pain, marked redness, or any change in vision means you get seen straight away. I'll also see you again in a few weeks to check how the new drops are suiting you. Thank you, Alan, and please don't hesitate to contact us before then if you're worried.