Master Your FMProC Skills

Dr. Austin, a Family Medicine resident, is consulting with a 45-year-old male patient who has been experiencing persistent headaches for three months. The patient is highly anxious and fears he may have a brain tumor. He requests an MRI for reassurance. Dr. Austin reviews the patient's history and conducts a thorough neurological examination, finding no red flags for serious pathology. The patient appears skeptical and remains fixated on the possibility of having a brain tumor. How desirable are each of the following responses by Dr. Austin in this situation?

Dr. Li, a Family Medicine resident, is consulting with a 28-year-old female patient who reports persistent fatigue for the past several months. Despite a thorough evaluation ruling out infections, the patient remains convinced that she requires antibiotics and expresses frustration at previous doctors who have denied her request. She insists that taking antibiotics ‘just in case’ would be beneficial. How desirable are each of the following responses by Dr. Li in this situation?

Dr. Ahmed, a Family Medicine resident, is discussing smoking cessation with a 55-year-old patient who has been smoking for 30 years. The patient expresses frustration, stating that he has tried to quit multiple times but always relapses. He feels discouraged and believes quitting is impossible. He asks Dr. Ahmed whether quitting is even worth trying again. How desirable are each of the following responses by Dr. Ahmed in this situation?

Dr. Campbell, a Family Medicine resident, is performing a routine well-baby checkup for a 6-month-old infant. The parents express concerns about routine vaccinations, stating that they have read online that delaying vaccines until age 3 is safer. They are hesitant to follow the recommended immunization schedule and express distrust in mainstream medical advice. They ask Dr. Campbell for guidance on whether they should proceed with vaccinations now or wait. How desirable are each of the following responses by Dr. Campbell in this situation?

Dr. Rivera, a Family Medicine resident, is managing a 55-year-old patient with uncontrolled hypertension. The patient frequently forgets to take his medication and states he feels fine, so he does not believe he needs to take it daily. He does not recognize the long-term risks of untreated hypertension and expresses skepticism about the necessity of lifelong medication. How desirable are each of the following responses by Dr. Rivera in this situation?

Dr. Khan, a second-year Family Medicine (FM) Resident, is working in a busy clinic when a close friend, Amir, visits as a patient. Amir asks Dr. Khan to prescribe antibiotics for a sore throat without an examination. Dr. Khan knows that Amir does not have a family doctor and has limited access to healthcare. Amir insists that he is confident in his symptoms and does not want to wait for an assessment. Dr. Khan is unsure of how to balance his professional responsibilities with his personal relationship. Rank the following responses from 1-5, where 1 is the most appropriate response and 5 is the least appropriate response.

Dr. Patel, a Family Medicine (FM) Resident, is seeing a long-time patient, Mr. Gillespie, for a routine follow-up. During the visit, Mr. Gillespie casually mentions that he has been feeling persistently sad, lacks motivation, and has had trouble sleeping. He quickly dismisses it, saying, "I'm probably just getting old." Dr. Patel suspects underlying depression but is unsure how to proceed without making Mr. Gillespie feel uncomfortable or pressured. Rank the following responses from 1-5, where 1 is the most appropriate response and 5 is the least appropriate response.

Dr. Khan, a Family Medicine (FM) Resident, is working in an outpatient clinic when a close family friend, Mrs. Taylor, arrives for an appointment. She greets Dr. Khan warmly and, in a lighthearted tone, says, "I’m glad it’s you today! You’ll take good care of me, right?" She then proceeds to ask for a refill of her anxiety medication.

Dr. Patel, a Family Medicine (FM) Resident, is working a busy evening shift at a walk-in clinic when an elderly patient, Mr. Stevens, arrives with his adult daughter. Mr. Stevens appears confused, and his daughter explains that he has been increasingly forgetful and has gotten lost several times. She is very concerned about his safety. However, Mr. Stevens insists that he is fine and does not need medical attention. Dr. Patel wonders how best to address the situation while respecting both the patient’s autonomy and the daughter’s concerns.

Dr. Chen, a Family Medicine (FM) Resident, is seeing a 55-year-old male patient, Mr. Ibrahim, who is overweight and has hypertension. Mr. Ibrahim is reluctant to take his prescribed antihypertensive medication, stating that he prefers to manage his condition "naturally." He mentions that he has been following online advice from a fitness influencer who promotes a strict salt-free diet and herbal supplements. Dr. Chen wants to ensure that Mr. Ibrahim makes an informed decision about his health while maintaining a good patient-doctor relationship.

Dr. Lewis, a Family Medicine (FM) Resident, is working in a busy rural clinic when a patient, Ms. Jansen, arrives complaining of persistent fatigue and joint pain. She states that she recently saw an alternative medicine practitioner who diagnosed her with 'chronic toxin buildup' and recommended an expensive detox treatment. She now wants Dr. Lewis’s opinion but seems skeptical about conventional medicine.

Dr. Carter is a second-year family medicine resident managing a 67-year-old patient with newly diagnosed hypertension and type 2 diabetes. During a busy clinic day, Dr. Carter prescribes a new antihypertensive medication but accidentally calculates a dosage that is twice the recommended starting amount for someone of the patient’s age and kidney function. The patient returns a few days later with symptoms of lightheadedness and fatigue. Dr. Carter quickly identifies the dosage error after reviewing the chart and realizes that the side effects are likely linked to the higher dose. The patient’s blood pressure is now very low, though no long-term harm is expected.

Dr. Lopez, a family physician, is seeing a 54-year-old patient who has been waiting nearly an hour past their scheduled appointment time due to an unexpected medical emergency that required Dr. Lopez’s attention earlier in the day. The patient is visibly agitated and, before being called in, was heard raising their voice at the front desk staff. Upon entering the exam room, Dr. Lopez is immediately confronted by the patient, who demands an explanation and expresses strong dissatisfaction with the clinic’s service. The consultation is time-sensitive, and Dr. Lopez must decide how to handle the situation in a way that maintains professionalism, addresses the patient’s concerns, and allows care to proceed effectively.

Dr. Singh, a senior family medicine resident, is leading a team of junior residents and medical students during a particularly busy shift in the hospital’s urgent care unit. While assisting with a complex laceration repair, a medical student on the team approaches Dr. Singh with questions about a new patient presenting with vague but concerning symptoms. The student appears uncertain and clearly requires supervision to assess and manage the case safely.

Dr. Adams, a family physician involved in clinical research, is conducting a trial on a new medication. A participant reports experiencing mild side effects that were not previously documented.

Dr. Nguyen, a family physician in a small rural town, is approached by the mayor, who is also a long-time patient and personal friend. The mayor expresses concern about a specific community member who may pose a risk to public safety and asks Dr. Nguyen to confirm whether this person was recently seen at the clinic. Dr. Nguyen understands that disclosing information could breach patient confidentiality, yet also recognizes the mayor’s responsibility for safeguarding the community.

Dr. Patel, a second-year family medicine resident, is in the staff lounge when she overhears a senior colleague making an inappropriate remark about a patient’s socioeconomic background. Though the comment was made in a private setting, other staff members were present and appeared uncomfortable. Dr. Patel is unsure how to proceed.

Dr. Thompson is working in a busy walk-in clinic when a patient becomes verbally aggressive over a perceived error in their prescription refill. The patient raises their voice and uses disrespectful language toward the front desk staff, visibly distressing those nearby. As tensions rise, Dr. Thompson is called to intervene.

Dr. Lee, a second-year family medicine resident, is supervising a flu vaccination clinic at a local community center. A disagreement arises between two clinic volunteers—one accuses the other of skipping steps in the registration process, leading to confusion and tension at the front desk. Several patients are waiting, and the clinic is operating under time pressure. Dr. Lee must decide how to respond to restore order while maintaining teamwork and patient flow.

Dr. Adams is providing care for Mr. Li, an 84-year-old patient recently diagnosed with advanced pancreatic cancer. After a thoughtful conversation about prognosis and available options, Mr. Li clearly states that he wishes to decline aggressive treatment and instead focus on comfort and quality of life. However, his adult son, visibly distressed, demands that Dr. Adams pursue all available life-prolonging interventions—even if this contradicts Mr. Li’s expressed wishes. Dr. Adams must navigate this emotionally complex situation while upholding professional ethics and respecting Mr. Li’s autonomy.

During morning rounds, a medical student incorrectly reports a patient’s test results, leading to a change in the treatment plan. Dr. Bennett, the attending physician, notices the error before any harm occurs. The medical student is visibly anxious about the mistake. Dr. Bennett must decide how to handle the situation.

Dr. Kim is covering an evening shift at a community urgent care center when she notices a colleague, Dr. Raymond, accepting a coffee and gift bag from a pharmaceutical representative in the break room. The rep is discussing a new migraine medication and mentions they’re "glad to support prescribers who really understand its value." Dr. Kim has been taught to avoid conflicts of interest but also wants to maintain collegiality. The clinic is understaffed tonight, and Dr. Raymond is the only other physician on site. Dr. Kim must decide how to respond while upholding ethical standards and maintaining a working relationship with her colleague.

Dr. Lopez, a senior family physician, has been working a series of shifts with her colleague, Dr. Grant, who was recently reassigned to their department after returning from a short leave. Over the past week, Dr. Lopez has observed a pattern: Dr. Grant arrives late, appears unusually fatigued, and has made several small documentation and prescribing errors — nothing harmful yet, but enough to raise red flags. During a recent patient handoff, Dr. Grant seemed distracted and confused while reviewing basic chart details. The nursing staff have quietly voiced similar concerns. Dr. Lopez worries that something personal or health-related may be affecting Dr. Grant’s clinical performance. She wants to protect patient safety and support her colleague but is unsure how to proceed without jumping to conclusions or creating tension.

Dr. Singh is conducting a follow-up appointment with Mrs. Chowdhury, a patient recently diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes. During the visit, Mrs. Chowdhury becomes tearful. She says she feels overwhelmed and ashamed and mentions that her family has not been supportive or understanding. She expresses uncertainty about how she will manage her condition going forward.

Dr. Thomas, a family medicine resident, is wrapping up her afternoon clinic when she realizes she has received a social media friend request from a patient she saw earlier that day. The patient is a 30-year-old woman recently diagnosed with anxiety, who mentioned during the visit that she felt isolated and appreciated how “easy to talk to” Dr. Thomas was. The request is pending, and the patient included a friendly message thanking Dr. Thomas for the support. Dr. Thomas is unsure how to respond while maintaining boundaries and professionalism.

Dr. Shwartz, a first-year family medicine resident, is scheduled to lead a prenatal education workshop for a group of expectant parents at the community clinic. When she arrives, she discovers that the materials she prepared were mistakenly printed in the wrong language and that half the group is fluent only in Spanish. A volunteer interpreter is present but unfamiliar with medical terminology. Dr. Shwartz feels nervous about changing plans on the spot and has limited time to adapt. She must quickly decide how to handle the session in a way that supports learning, respects patient diversity, and maintains professionalism.

Dr. Khalid, a second-year family medicine resident, arrives at clinic to find that the electronic medical record (EMR) system is unexpectedly down. Several patients are already waiting, and no one can access appointment details, charts, or prescription templates. The clinic staff seem flustered, and no backup plan has been communicated yet. As the first physician on-site, Dr. Khalid must decide how to proceed while ensuring patient safety and continuity of care.

Dr. Kapoor is conducting a routine follow-up visit with Mr. Sylvestre, a 62-year-old patient who recently underwent a knee replacement. Although his physical recovery is on track, Mr. Sylvestre appears withdrawn and avoids eye contact. When asked how he is doing, he quietly says, "It’s all just too much sometimes." His wife passed away six months ago, and he lives alone. The clinic is running behind schedule, and other patients are waiting.

Dr. Hamidi, a family medicine resident, arrives at a satellite clinic only to find that the physician scheduled to supervise her is delayed due to weather. Several patients are already in the waiting room, and clinic staff ask whether to begin seeing patients without supervision or delay the schedule. Dr. Hamidi has never worked independently in this setting before.

Dr. Leduc, a first-year family medicine resident, is completing charting at the nursing station when she overhears two colleagues making jokes about a patient’s hygiene. The remarks are subtle but clearly disrespectful, and another nearby staff member shifts uncomfortably in response. No patients appear to be within earshot. Dr. Leduc is taken aback and unsure how to respond. As a new resident in a learning environment, she worries about damaging relationships or overstepping boundaries if she speaks up.

Dr. Wong, a family physician, is midway through a patient consultation when a nurse enters the room and abruptly interrupts to ask a question about another patient. The nurse’s tone is assertive, and the patient in the room appears uncomfortable. This isn’t the first time Dr. Wong has been interrupted in this way. She must decide how to respond in a way that maintains professionalism and team collaboration.

Dr. Thomas is seeing Ms. Abdi, a 24-year-old patient recently diagnosed with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Ms. Abdi has missed two follow-up appointments and today, during the visit, discloses that she has been feeling overwhelmed, anxious, and embarrassed discussing her symptoms. She hesitates when asked about continuing treatment and expresses doubt about whether it’s worth it. Dr. Thomas must decide how best to support Ms. Abdi while addressing her medical and emotional concerns.

Dr. Ferreira, a first-year family medicine resident, is seeing a 17-year-old patient, Sarah, for a routine visit. During the appointment, Sarah discloses that she is sexually active and asks that this information not be shared with her parents, who are waiting in the clinic lobby. Sarah also mentions inconsistent condom use and expresses worry about a possible pregnancy. After the visit, her parents ask Dr. Ferreira directly if there is "anything they should know." Dr. Ferreira must decide how to respond while upholding professional and ethical responsibilities.

Dr. Peters, a senior family medicine resident, is precepting a junior resident during a busy ward rotation. While reviewing the junior’s documentation, Dr. Peters notices that portions of the physical exam appear identical to a previous day's note — including findings that are no longer clinically accurate. For example, the junior has charted “lungs clear to auscultation bilaterally,” despite the patient now having new crackles on exam. Dr. Peters is concerned that copying forward without appropriate updates could compromise patient care and mislead future providers. No harm has occurred, but the chart is inaccurate. Dr. Peters must decide how to handle the situation.

Dr. Chau, a first-year family medicine resident, is accompanying a multidisciplinary team on a scheduled home visit to assess a 76-year-old patient with chronic heart failure and limited mobility. The team includes a nurse, physiotherapist, and social worker. During the visit, one team member repeatedly dominates the conversation—interrupting others, redirecting the discussion, and occasionally speaking over the patient. The interaction leaves little room for input from the rest of the team or for the patient to fully express her concerns. After the visit, two team members pull Dr. Chau aside and express frustration, asking how they might collectively improve communication and collaboration on future visits. Dr. Chau, while still junior, feels caught in the middle and must decide how to approach the situation in a constructive and professional manner.

Dr. Pelletier, a family physician, is supervising a full day at a community clinic when the regularly scheduled nurse calls in sick unexpectedly. A replacement nurse arrives shortly before clinic starts but is unfamiliar with the clinic’s workflow, EMR system, and triage protocols. As the morning progresses, the replacement nurse asks frequent clarifying questions and appears increasingly overwhelmed. The front desk begins fielding complaints about long wait times, and Dr. Pelletier notices that the entire schedule is falling behind. There is pressure to maintain patient flow, but Dr. Pelletier is also concerned about supporting the new staff member and ensuring safe care. He must decide how to proceed in the moment.

Dr. Hassan is conducting a follow-up visit with Ms. Lavoie, a 28-year-old patient recently diagnosed with endometriosis after several years of vague and misattributed symptoms. During today’s visit, Ms. Lavoie appears emotionally exhausted and hesitant to engage. After some gentle prompting, she shares that she has delayed starting treatment because she feels dismissed—not just by healthcare providers in the past, but also by friends and coworkers who don’t believe her pain is real. She becomes tearful and says, “People look at me like I’m fine. I’m not. It’s like they think I’m making it up for attention.” Dr. Hassan must decide how to respond in a way that supports her trust and engagement in care.

Dr. Chauhan is a first-year family medicine resident still getting to know the team dynamics at her new clinical placement. During a casual team lunch, a senior resident makes a joking remark about having “embellished” a patient’s symptoms on a referral to help expedite an MRI. The comment is met with chuckles from a few others at the table, while the rest remain silent. No one challenges the comment. Dr. Chauhan feels a knot in her stomach. She’s unsure whether the remark reflects a real practice, a dark sense of humor, or a systemic pressure to advocate more aggressively for patients. She also worries about how speaking up might affect her standing as a new trainee. She must decide how to respond.

Dr. Laurent, a family physician, is covering for a colleague at a community health clinic when she realizes that several of the scheduled patients have complex needs and were double-booked due to an administrative error. The clinic is short-staffed, and one of the nurses expresses frustration, saying “This day is a mess.” As the waiting room fills, Dr. Laurent must decide how to respond — balancing time pressures, team morale, and patient care in a resource-limited setting.

Dr. Beaulieu is a second-year family medicine resident working on a hospital ward. During a multidisciplinary team meeting, she notices that a nurse’s suggestion about a patient’s mobility plan is quickly dismissed by the attending physician without discussion. The nurse appears visibly discouraged. Dr. Beaulieu is unsure whether or how to address what happened.

Dr. Henry, a family medicine resident, is conducting a home visit for Mr. Yazbek, a 72-year-old patient recently discharged from hospital following complications related to heart failure. During the visit, Dr. Henry notices that the patient’s fridge is nearly empty and the home smells strongly of mildew. Mr. Yazbek becomes defensive when asked about his supports and says he’s “fine living this way.” Dr. Henry is unsure how much to intervene, as the patient remains alert and oriented, but his living conditions raise concern.

Dr. Sullivan, a family physician, is seeing Mr. Roy, a 50-year-old patient with poorly controlled diabetes. Mr. Roy becomes emotional during the visit and reveals that he recently lost his job and has been skipping meals to afford medications. He seems embarrassed and reluctant to discuss further. Dr. Sullivan must decide how to respond.

Dr. Basu, a family medicine resident, is rotating through a community clinic where she notices that one of the clinic nurses consistently defers to physicians in discussions about patient care, even when she has relevant insights. During a case conference, the nurse begins to contribute a clinical observation but is interrupted and dismissed by a senior physician. The nurse stays quiet for the rest of the meeting. Afterward, a medical student asks Dr. Basu if that kind of dismissal is normal.

During a busy afternoon clinic, Dr. Lewis, a family physician, is running behind schedule. A patient scheduled for a routine follow-up insists on discussing multiple new issues not listed in the booking.

Dr. Fontaine, a family medicine resident, is completing a hospital rotation. During patient handover, the outgoing nurse briefly mentions that a patient’s behavior was “manipulative” and “attention-seeking.” The language used makes Dr. Fontaine uncomfortable, especially as this is a patient with a documented history of trauma. The team does not comment, and the handover moves on.

Dr. Marin, a family medicine resident, is seeing Mr. Doucet, a 64-year-old patient with newly diagnosed hypertension. During the visit, Mr. Doucet expresses strong skepticism about medications and insists that he only wants “natural remedies.” He becomes defensive when Dr. Marin tries to explain the potential risks of untreated high blood pressure. The consultation is running long.

Dr. Novak, a family physician, is seeing Sam, a 19-year-old patient who recently began hormone therapy as part of their gender transition. During the appointment, Sam appears anxious and mentions they had a negative experience with a previous provider who dismissed their concerns. Sam hesitates before asking questions about their treatment plan.

Dr. Moreau, a family medicine resident, is completing electronic charting at the end of a busy clinic day. As she reviews her notes, she realizes that she forgot to ask a patient about a new medication they were prescribed by a specialist. The patient has already left. Dr. Moreau is feeling tired and under pressure to finish her documentation quickly.

Dr. Fontaine, a family physician, is following up with Mr. Naji, a 47-year-old patient recently discharged from hospital after treatment for pneumonia. During the appointment, Mr. Naji mentions that his discharge instructions were confusing and that he’s unsure which medications to continue. He becomes frustrated and says he’s considering stopping everything. The clinic is running behind schedule and the next patient has already arrived.

Dr. Tessier, a family physician, is reviewing labs when she notices that her colleague, Dr. Rao, has marked a set of results as reviewed — but a serious electrolyte abnormality appears to have been missed. The patient is stable, but Dr. Tessier is concerned that this oversight could have had consequences.

Dr. Habib, a family physician, is seeing Amina, a 22-year-old patient who recently returned from university. Amina has asked to discuss birth control options but appears hesitant during the visit. Midway through the consultation, her mother — who drove her to the clinic — enters the room without knocking and sits down. Amina goes quiet. The mother says, “We always talk about everything. She won’t mind me being here.” Dr. Habib notices Amina avoiding eye contact.

Dr. Michaud, a family physician, is conducting a routine check-up with Mr. F., a 55-year-old patient. During the visit, Mr. F. makes several flirtatious comments and jokes, including remarks about Dr. Michaud’s appearance. Although the tone is casual, Dr. Michaud feels increasingly uncomfortable and notices the behavior is persistent despite attempts to redirect the conversation. The visit is nearly complete, and Mr. F. is scheduled for future follow-ups.

Dr. Ouellet, a family medicine resident, is participating in a busy flu shot clinic organized by the community health centre. The workflow relies on tight coordination between physicians, nurses, and administrative staff. Midway through the afternoon, Dr. Ouellet notices that one of the nurses, who is usually efficient, appears distracted and makes an error in documenting a vaccine lot number. The nurse corrects it quickly, but later, a staff member privately expresses concern that the nurse is not herself today. The team is behind schedule, and everyone seems stressed.

Dr. Sandhu, a family medicine resident, is shadowing a senior physician during a home care visit. While helping with documentation afterward, Dr. Sandhu notices that the physician charted a blood pressure reading that was not actually taken during the visit. The senior physician says, “It’s fine, we do this when it’s usually stable — it saves time.”

Dr. Henry, a family medicine resident, is covering an evening shift in a community clinic. A nurse pulls him aside to ask if he can quickly sign off on a prescription refill for one of the clinic’s long-time patients. The prescription was intended to be renewed earlier in the week by another physician who has since gone off service. Dr. Henry has not reviewed the patient’s chart yet, and the nurse notes that the patient is waiting at the front desk and appears agitated.

Dr. Anders, a family physician, is precepting a medical student during a busy clinic day. In between patients, the student mentions that they recently shadowed one of Dr. Ander' colleagues and found their approach to patient care outdated and "borderline negligent." They share several examples and ask what Dr. Anders thinks.

Dr. Gold, a family physician, is conducting a full day of scheduled appointments when a walk-in patient arrives in visible distress. The receptionist explains that the patient is not rostered at the clinic but insists on being seen, claiming their usual provider is unavailable. The patient has no urgent medical signs but says they “can’t wait another day.” The clinic is already behind, and several patients have been waiting over 45 minutes.

Dr. Costa is a family physician working in a rural clinic during a province-wide digital outage. The clinic’s EMR is down, phone lines are unreliable, and several patients have arrived expecting prescription renewals. One elderly patient, Mr. Banerjee, says he traveled two hours to get his medications refilled today and cannot return easily. Dr. Costa has no access to his chart and the local pharmacy system is also affected.

Dr. Henry, a family physician, is reviewing lab results for a patient recently seen by a locum physician at the clinic. He notices a significant abnormal finding that was documented but not communicated to the patient. The patient is scheduled to return next week, but Dr. Henry is unsure whether the oversight was intentional or an honest mistake. The locum has already left for another clinic, and no handover note was left.

Dr. Zhao, a family physician, is covering at a small northern community clinic when a scheduled prenatal patient, Ms. Mielke, arrives with her 11-year-old daughter. The patient unexpectedly asks Dr. Zhao if her daughter can stay in the room during the pelvic exam, explaining that it’s a bonding moment and part of how she teaches body positivity. The daughter appears quiet but doesn’t object. The nurse raises an eyebrow but says nothing. The clinic is running behind, and other patients are waiting.