Routine health check for a busy tradesman
AMC Clinical practice station

The task

You are a doctor in a general practice. Mr Craig Donnelly, aged 49, a self-employed carpenter, has come for a routine health check booked by his wife. The practice nurse has measured his blood pressure and taken blood, and the results are available on request. Take a focused lifestyle and health history, then discuss what you have found and agree a plan with him. Examination findings will be given on request. The examiner will not take part in the conversation.

What this station tests

• Ask permission before raising alcohol and keep a respectful tone; lecturing ends the conversation.
• Quantify in standard drinks and use a validated screen.
• Assess dependence before advising a change; abrupt cessation can cause seizures.
• Link results to his own goals, such as blood pressure, then compare with national guidance.
• Brief intervention works best when the patient leads the goal and follow-up is booked.

Sources for the clinical content

• NHMRC: Alcohol guidelines
• Guidelines for the treatment of alcohol problems (Australia)
• Heart Foundation: Hypertension resources for professionals
• Department of Health and Aged Care: Alcohol

An original practice scenario with invented patients. Not an exam question.

Practise next

• Type 2 diabetes review and a new medicine
• Tiredness and abnormal blood tests
• First antenatal visit and screening choices
• Abnormal screening result explained through an interpreter
• Two-month baby check and worries about vaccines