ForTheWardsFTW
HomeHow It WorksScenariosSign In
Sign In
Back to Scenarios

Witnessing a Colleague's Impairment

You suspect a senior colleague is impaired on the job. Practice the high-stakes conversation of confronting them to ensure patient safety.

  1. 1
    Briefing
  2. 2
    Simulation
  3. 3
    Feedback

How This Works

This is an interactive phone call simulation. You'll speak with Dr. Miller in a realistic clinical communication scenario.

1. Start Call

Click "Start Call" when you're ready. Speak naturally as you would on a real call.

2. Have the Conversation

10 minutes to complete the call. The AI responds in real-time to what you say.

3. Get Feedback

End the call when finished. You'll receive AI-powered feedback on your communication.

💡 Tip: Speak clearly and at a natural pace. If you need a moment to think, it's okay to pause briefly - just as you would in a real conversation.

Briefing Details

1. Learning: The Duty to Act

Purpose of this Scenario

This scenario addresses one of the most difficult ethical situations in medicine: suspecting a colleague is impaired and potentially poses a risk to patient safety. The professional hierarchy and personal relationships can make this a terrifying conversation to initiate. However, your primary ethical duty is to the safety of patients. This scenario is designed to help you practice a direct, non-judgmental, and safety-focused intervention.

Key communication strategies include:

  • Act Privately and Promptly: The conversation should happen in a private space, away from patients and other staff, but it must happen immediately before the colleague can engage in patient care.
  • Use "I" Statements and Objective Data: Frame your concern from your own perspective and state the objective facts. "John, I'm worried about you. I smell alcohol on your breath." This is less accusatory than "You've been drinking."
  • Focus on Safety, Not Judgment: The goal is not to punish, but to protect patients. "I'm concerned that you're not in a condition to safely see patients right now."
  • Have a Plan: Know what you will do. The plan should involve offering help to the colleague while ensuring patient care is safely transferred. "I can cover your patients for you, but we need to speak with the chief resident or the attending."
  • Do Not Back Down: Patient safety is the absolute priority. You cannot allow an impaired colleague to care for patients, no matter how difficult the confrontation.

2. Scenario Briefing

Your Objective

You are an intern in the resident workroom. Your senior resident, Dr. Miller, has just come in for his shift. As you are talking to him, you can clearly smell alcohol on his breath. He is about to go see a new admission. Your objective is to confront Dr. Miller about your concern in a professional manner and prevent him from seeing the patient while impaired.

The Situation

You are an intern. Dr. Miller is your direct supervisor on this rotation. He is a good resident who you generally like and respect, which makes this situation even more difficult.

The Conflict: You must directly confront a superior about a serious accusation, knowing it could have major repercussions for their career and your working relationship. However, allowing him to see a patient is a grave safety risk.

Learning Objectives

Optional prep details

Learning Objectives loading

Optional Pre-Call Knowledge Check

Optional self-check before you start

Knowledge Check loading

This scenario requires an account. Sign in to begin the simulation.

After completing this scenario, you will be able to:

  • Analyze a situation to identify signs of potential colleague impairment.
  • Articulate the ethical and professional duty to act to ensure patient safety when a colleague is suspected of being impaired.
  • Formulate a communication strategy for confronting a senior colleague in a manner that is direct, respectful, and prioritizes patient safety.

According to professional ethics, what is your primary and most immediate responsibility when you suspect a colleague is impaired on the job?

What is generally considered the most appropriate initial approach when confronting a colleague you suspect is impaired?

Which set of observations would constitute the strongest grounds for immediate intervention with a colleague on duty?