Lesson 8.12 — Mock 12: Audio Consultation With Low Mood and a Flat Tone
Candidate Page
This is a telephone consultation with a patient reporting fatigue and poor concentration. Explore and manage the problem.
Consult naturally. Do not try to force every communication skill into the case. Identify the patient’s agenda and use it to shape the consultation.
Role-Player Brief
Speak quietly and flatly. You have stopped enjoying things and occasionally think your family would be better off without you, but you will not volunteer this unless the candidate notices mood or explores risk.
If the candidate explores well
- If the candidate comments on your tone or asks about mood, disclose more.
- If they explain why they are asking about self-harm, answer directly.
If the candidate misses the cue
- If they remain focused only on physical symptoms, keep answers brief.
- If they rush silence, do not offer extra information.
- Use verbal cues in audio consultation.
- Ask open questions and leave space.
- Explain sensitive risk questions.
- Maintain warmth and clarity without visual signals.
RCGP specifically highlights the importance of verbal cue recognition and rapport in audio consultations.
| Reflection | Yes / Partly / No | Evidence from the consultation |
|---|---|---|
| I found the real agenda. | ||
| I responded to the key cue. | ||
| My explanation used patient-specific information. | ||
| The plan was shared and clinically owned. | ||
| My safety-net was specific. | ||
| I sounded natural rather than scripted. |