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The Dismissive Colleague

Advocate for your patient while calling a consult to a rude and dismissive senior colleague, testing your ability to maintain professionalism under pressure.

  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: Managing Inter-professional Conflict

Purpose of this Scenario

This scenario focuses on a common and stressful challenge: communicating with a colleague who is being dismissive, rude, or unhelpful. In these moments, your primary responsibilities are to maintain your own professionalism and to advocate effectively for your patient's safety. Losing your composure can escalate the conflict and jeopardize patient care.

Key communication strategies include:

  • Stay Calm and Focused: Do not mirror their unprofessionalism. Maintain a calm, steady, and professional tone.
  • Stick to the Data: Use a structured communication tool like SBAR. Present the objective facts of the case clearly and concisely. This depersonalizes the conversation.
  • State Your "Ask" and Concern Clearly: Be unambiguous about what you need and why it's important for the patient. "I am concerned that this patient may have an acute surgical abdomen, and I need you to evaluate them."
  • Know Your Chain of Command: If you meet a roadblock and are concerned for patient safety, you must know how to escalate. This means calmly stating your intention to call the attending physician. "I understand you're busy, but I remain concerned. If you're unwilling to see the patient, I will need to call your attending."

2. Scenario Briefing

Your Objective

You are the medical intern covering the floor overnight. Your objective is to call the on-call surgical fellow, Dr. Miller, to request an urgent consult for a patient with a concerning abdominal exam. Dr. Miller is known to be overworked and notoriously difficult. You must present the case clearly, handle his dismissive attitude, and successfully advocate for your patient to be seen.

Patient Background

Your patient is a 65-year-old man admitted for a COPD exacerbation. Over the past few hours, he has developed worsening, diffuse abdominal pain. He has a history of multiple prior abdominal surgeries.

Key Medical Facts

  • Vitals: He is now tachycardic to 115 and has a new low-grade fever of 101.0°F.
  • Exam: His abdomen, which was soft this morning, is now distended and diffusely tender with guarding.
  • Labs: A new lactate is elevated at 3.5, and his WBC count has jumped from 10 to 18.
  • Your Concern: You are worried about an acute intra-abdominal process, such as a bowel obstruction or perforation, in a patient on steroids for his COPD.

Learning Objectives

Optional prep details

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Optional Pre-Call Knowledge Check

Optional self-check before you start

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

After completing this scenario, you will be able to:

  • Formulate a clear, concise, and compelling patient summary using the SBAR framework.
  • Justify the need for an urgent consultation by articulating specific clinical concerns.
  • Identify and apply de-escalation techniques when faced with inter-professional conflict.

When initiating a call to a consultant who is immediately dismissive, which of the following is the most professional and effective initial response?

Within the SBAR framework, which component is most critical for directly advocating for a specific action or response from the consultant?

If a consultant remains dismissive and refuses a reasonable request for a consult, what is the appropriate next step to ensure patient safety?