1. Introducing yourself at reception
Situation: You arrive for your first observership day. The receptionist looks up from the phone.
Practice
Communication in Canadian Family Medicine
Six fictional scenarios. Choose the best response.
Draft – Pending Clinical Review
Observers watch and learn only; they never independently assess or manage patients. Clinical Assistants act only within their individual authorization and approved supervision.
Scenarios
2. Meeting your supervising physician
Situation: Your supervisor greets you and asks what you hope to learn.
3. Asking permission to observe
Situation: You are an observer. A patient is about to be seen.
4. Asking your supervisor for clarification
Situation: As a Clinical Assistant, you're unsure whether a task is within your authorized responsibilities.
5. Communicating an urgent concern
Situation: A patient in the waiting room says they have chest pain. As an observer you must not assess them, and as a CA you must escalate.
6. Requesting feedback
Situation: Clinic has ended and your supervisor has a few minutes.