Table 1.

Standardised patient (SP) case presentation and correct management

Case	Initial presentation	Further details given if probed	Required drugs and tests	Palliative drugs¹	Appropriate tests²
Asthma	“I have had a problem with breathing, and last night it became terrible”	Shortness of breath when moving furniture/cleaning. Wheezing and non-productive cough throughout attack. Attacks at night for a year with increasing frequency and severity. Attacks brought on by cleaning or physical activity. Had coughing fits as a child, and a sibling with a similar problem.	Prescription of salbutamol or other beta-2 antagonist or steroid inhaler.	Otherantagonists and steroids, antihistamines, xanthines.	Allergy tests, ECG, HIV, X-ray.
TB	“I have had a cough that is not getting better”	Productive cough for three weeks, one week course of amoxicillin without improvement. Low grade fevers, chest pain, loss of appetite, weight loss, night sweats.	Order or refer for sputum TB testing (including referral to a higher-level public health facility which could test for TB, even if testing was not mentioned).	Cold and flu combinations, cough syrups, NSAIDs and paracetamol.	Complete blood count, HIV, malaria, X-ray, Widal.

¹Drugs which are suitable for managing symptoms associated with the condition, and therefore not classified as unnecessary

²Tests which may give the provider useful information in planning management of the patient