Location: You are a final year medical student in a GP practice.
Patient: Mr Fowler has come to see you because of back pain.
Task: Please take a history and explain the management options. For the purposes of this station, assume the examination is normal.
Note to actor: Try to restrain yourself from volunteering too much information – you may do so when prompted (that is, by a specific question, not a general one). If a student is on the wrong line of clinical reasoning do not fuel this line of thinking, state no to the question as being ambiguous may prompt further questioning and does not allow the student to be appropriately tested.
Your role
Your name is Ben Fowler. You are a 34 year old boiler engineer. You have come to the GP because of back pain.
History of presenting symptoms
Information to be volunteered at the start
You started having back pain 2 weeks ago. It is in the lower part of your back in the centre and slightly to the left of the spine. It gets a lot worse when you move or lift heavy objects. It came on gradually but you can remember doing some heavy lifting the day before. You have tried bed rest for the last few days but it doesn’t seem to have helped.
Information to be given if asked
The pain is really bad and just even walking around causes severe pain. When you move the pain is 10/10 and you ‘wouldn’t wish it on your worst enemy’. The pain is constant and is not worse at particular times during the day. Taking aspirin and having hot showers are the only things which help a little.
You are otherwise well. The pain does not go down your legs. You have no altered sensation and your leg muscles are working normally. You have had no weight loss, fevers or sweats. You are passing urine and stool normally.
Background information
Past medical history
None.
Medications and allergies
None.
Family history
Your mother died of a heart attack at 70 years of age. Your dad has arthritis. Your brother is disabled after a motorcycle accident.
Social and personal circumstances
You are a boiler engineer who often has to lift heavy tanks and has been doing a lot of overtime. You also regularly go to the gym to lift weights. You smoke 20 cigarettes per day and drink 6-10 cans of beer on the weekend. You have never done illegal drugs. You have had 12 sexual partners in your life and are currently single and dating. You play football in the village 5-a-side team.
Your ideas, concerns and expectations
After reading online, you are concerned you have a herniated disc. If the doctor says it is not, ask how they know. You are sure you need an MRI scan to investigate the pain. If the doctor suggests you do not need a scan, question this.
Questions for the doctor
You would like to know about the treatment options, specifically surgery.
