Box 1.

Clinical scenarios portrayed by standardised patients

• Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease with a mild exacerbation and history of hypertension
• Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease with an exacerbation associated with productive sputum, slight fever, and past history of hypertension
• Type 2 diabetes with limited preventive care in the past and untreated hypercholesterolaemia
• Poorly controlled type 2 diabetes and early renal damage
• Congestive heart failure secondary to long standing hypertension and non-compliance with treatment
• New onset amaurosis fugax in patient with multiple risk factors
• Depression in an older patient with no other major clinical illness
• Depression complicated by substance abuse