Role-plays and the clinical communication criteria
What the assessors listen for, beyond grammar.
15 minutes · A free lesson from Speaking
You do two role-plays, each about five minutes, after three minutes to read your card. The interlocutor plays the patient, parent or relative. You are assessed on language (intelligibility, fluency, appropriateness, grammar and expression) and on clinical communication:
- Relationship building — greeting, empathy, respect.
- Understanding the patient's perspective — asking about their ideas, concerns and expectations.
- Providing structure — signposting what comes next.
- Information gathering — open questions first, then focused ones; no leading questions.
- Information giving — small chunks, checking understanding.
Useful language
Opening
- Hello, I'm…, one of the nurses. Can I check your name?
- What would you like to talk about today?
Empathy
- That sounds really worrying.
- I can understand why you feel that way.
Signposting
- First, I'd like to ask a few questions, and then I'll explain…
- Now let's talk about…
Checking understanding
- Just to make sure I've explained clearly, could you tell me how you'll use it?
Lesson quiz
Check what you have learned. Choose an answer to see whether it is right, and why.
Quick check: Which question gathers information best at the start?
- A leading question: “You're feeling better now, aren't you?”
- An open question: “What would you like to talk about today?”
- A yes/no question about one symptom
Show the answer
B: An open question: “What would you like to talk about today?” — Open questions first, then focused ones. No leading questions.
Quick check: How should you give information?
- All at once, as fast as possible
- In medical terms only
- In small chunks, checking understanding
Show the answer
C: In small chunks, checking understanding — Just to make sure I've explained clearly, could you tell me how you'll use it?
Quick check: Which phrase shows empathy?
- “That sounds really worrying.”
- “Now let's talk about…”
- “Can I check your name?”
Show the answer
A: “That sounds really worrying.” — Relationship building is one of the clinical communication criteria.
Quick check: How long do you have to read each role-play card?
- No time at all
- Three minutes
- Ten minutes
Show the answer
B: Three minutes — Each role-play then lasts about five minutes.
Marked as soon as you finish — free with an account.Practise now