OET Speaking

Subtest

Speaking

General information

Time allocation:

Test format and procedure

The subtest is a face-to-face interview where candidates are required to participate in two different role play situations typical of their health profession area. The details of each role play are set out on two cue cards. Candidates take the role of the health professional while the interviewer takes the role of the patient or client.

This subtest is in three parts:

1. Warm-up conversation

This is not assessed.

The purpose of the warm-up conversation is to explain the format of the test and to help the candidate to relax. The interviewer will ask about areas of professional interest, previous work, reasons for coming to Australia, future plans, etc.

2. First role play

The interviewer hands the candidate a role play card which the candidate reads carefully. Any questions are to be asked and answered before the role play begins. The interviewer will fi nish the role play after about 5 minutes.

3. Second role play

The above procedure is repeated with a different role play.

The whole interview is recorded. It is important that the candidate and the interviewer speak clearly so that the assessor can understand everything that is said. Two role plays are provided to ensure the assessment is fair. The assessment is based on both role plays.

DENTISTS – SPEAKING SUBTEST

If the interlocutor (person who takes the role of the patient or client) is trained as an assessor, an assessment is made during the role plays. If the interlocutor is not trained, the assessment is made in Australia after the test.

All candidate responses are double marked. Borderline tapes are marked by a third assessor.

The sample materials

The sample materials consist of:

• role play cards for ten health professional areas

• two complete role plays recorded on the audio tape. One of the role plays involves a doctor, and the other a nurse. It is not possible to provide examples of all professions, but these interviews should provide a clear idea of the procedures used in the interview.

Using the materials

• Select the relevant role play.

• Copy the information on to two cards. • Take the role of the health professional.

• Ask a friend to play the role of a patient or client.

• Ask another friend to observe the role play and give you feedback on your performance. • Read the information on the card carefully.

• You have to deal with the case details as outlined on the card by asking and answering questions put to you by the patient or client.

• Speak as naturally as possible.

• Remember it is important to be interested in the welfare of the patient and to reassure the patient or relation of the patient that the treatment being proposed is appropriate.

• Keep to the time limit of 5 minutes (approximate) for each role play. • Ask a friend who observed for comments and feedback.

DENTISTS – SPEAKING SUBTEST OET – SAMPLE

Candidate’s Card: Dentists

Setting Student Dental Service

Dentist This fi rst-year student is taking advantage of the cost-free check-up which your service offers. You have just done a complete examination of his/her teeth and extra-oral areas and have found nothing abnormal. There is some calculus/tartar on the teeth and some infl ammation of the gums.

Task Tell the student the good news: no holes (because of fl uoride in the water). Point out that tartar and gingivitis are present and explain how to brush teeth.

Roleplayer’s Card: Dentists

Setting Student Dental Service

Patient You started university this year and have decided to have a free check-up at the student dental service. The last time you went to the dentist was 5 or 6 years ago, when your mother took you along for a check-up. You’ve never had any fi llings, and all you can remember is losing your fi rst teeth.

The dentist has just given your teeth a complete examination.

Task Find out if there is any dental work that needs to be done on your teeth, and also what you can do to look after your teeth. You hate the taste of toothpaste and feel fl ossing will be too diffi cult.

OET – SAMPLE

Candidate’s Card: Dietitians

Setting Outpatient Clinic

Dietitian Your patient is the parent of an 18 month old boy who is underweight. The patient tells you that the family follow a very healthy diet.

Task Find out what the child eats, and why it is important to the parent that the child stays thin and has a low fat diet.

Explain to the parent that the child needs more energy to help it grow. Encourage the parent to add more fat to the child’s diet.

Roleplayer’s Card: Dietitians

Setting Outpatient Clinic

Patient You are the parent of an 18 month old boy. The local health clinic nurse has referred you to a dietitian because your child is underweight. You are very aware of the importance of eating healthy food and you and your partner and child follow a low fat diet using only low-fat dairy products, no butter or margarine and little meat. Your father died of a heart attack recently and you know that family history is one of the risk factors for developing heart disease. You are determined to stay healthy and want to make sure your son does too. You are also determined that your son will not grow up fat. You were fat as a child and can remember how cruel other children were to you.

Task Tell the dietitian that you and your family follow a very healthy diet. Tell him/her about your father’s death and your fears of developing heart disease and also you worry that your son may end up being fat. Resist suggestions that you should introduce more fattening foods to your son’s diet.

Candidate’s Card: Doctors

Setting Suburban clinic, 11 pm

Doctor This parent has brought in his/her four-year-old child, Tom, who has been well, except for one day of mild rhinorrhoea. This evening he developed a cough that sounded ‘like a dog barking’. You diagnose mild croup.

Task You explain the illness and that there is no treatment. You reassure the parent that it is common and usually harmless but give instructions as to when to seek immediate attention.

Roleplayer’s Card: Doctors

Setting Suburban clinic, 11 pm

Patient You have brought your four-year-old child, Tom, in with you. Tom had a mild runny nose through the day and this evening developed a cough. He went to bed as usual and awoke with a terrible deep cough. He sounded like a barking dog. You feel very worried about the cough and his breathing.

Task Seek reassurance from the doctor. Find out if it is dangerous and requires treatment. Be really anxious.

OET – SAMPLE

Candidate’s Card: Nurses

Setting A hospital ward

Nurse You are talking to a 56-year-old patient, a heavy smoker who has just been admitted with bronchitis.

Task Find out about the patient’s general background: family, habits and general health. Also respond to the patient’s questions about giving up smoking. Give advice in a positive and friendly way.

Roleplayer’s Card: Nurses

Setting A hospital ward

Patient You are a 56-year-old smoker who has been admitted to hospital with bronchitis. The nurse is collecting information from you.

You live in your own home with your wife/husband, who is 50 years old, and you have three teenage children living at home. You have smoked for 30 years and often had chest infections.

You would like to give up smoking but have tried several times and have not succeeded.

Task Answer the nurse’s question about your family situation, and ask for advice about how to give up smoking.

Candidate’s Card: Occupational Therapists

Setting Aged Care Facility

Occupational You are speaking to the son or daughter of an elderly man who has been admitted

Therapist to hospital for diagnostic and functional assessment after having been found on several occasions wandering in the neighbourhood, unable to fi nd his way home. The neighbours have also reported that lights are frequently left on all night in the patient’s house. However the patient does not acknowledge these things occurring.

The patient has been living alone in the family home for 6 years since his wife died and has very little contact with people other than his only child, who visits weekly, and his neighbours.

He is not being very co-operative with hospital staff.

Task Introduce yourself to the son/daughter and explain what you will be doing with his/her father in the occupational therapy sessions. Give examples of the assessments you will be carrying out, as well as the reasons for these.

It is important to obtain the son/daughter’s co-operation.

Roleplayer’s Card: Occupational Therapists

Setting Aged Care Facility

Patient Your elderly father has been admitted to hospital for assessment after having been found on several occasions wandering in the neighbourhood, unable to fi nd his way home. The neighbours have told you that the lights are frequently left on all night in his house. When asked, your father does not acknowledge that these things occurred. As a result, the local doctor has had your father admitted for assessment to a special hospital for the elderly.

Your father is a widower and has been living alone in the family home for 6 years. He has very little contact with people other than yourself, and his neighbours. He values his independence and takes pride in his self-suffi ciency. He sees no reason for being

OET – SAMPLE

Candidate’s Card: Pharmacists

Setting Community Pharmacy

Pharmacist The patient visited the pharmacy four days ago complaining about an itchy rash between the toes, which you diagnosed as tinea pedis. You sold her/him an antifungal cream to apply twice a day.

She/he has been doing what you recommended, but there has been no improvement.

Task Explain to the patient that it usually takes several days before the symptoms are relieved.

Reassure the patient that the product is the best one for the condition.

Encourage her/him to persist with the treatment and to continue using the cream for a further seven days after the symptoms clear to prevent relapse.

Check whether she/he has been following advice to prevent reinfection and transfer of the infection to other members of the family. (eg. wash the feet daily and dry carefully especially between the toes; use a separate towel and wash it separately; wear absorbent cotton rather than synthetic socks; open footwear if possible.)

Roleplayer’s Card: Pharmacists

Setting Community Pharmacy

Patient You visited the pharmacy four days ago complaining about an itchy rash between your toes. The pharmacist said you were suffering from “athlete’s foot” and sold you a cream to apply twice a day. You have followed the instructions, but there is no improvement. You have been careful to use a separate towel for your feet and not let anyone else use the towel.

Task Ask the pharmacist to give you something more effective, as the condition is very itchy and uncomfortable.

Be insistent.

OET – SAMPLE

Candidate’s Card: Physiotherapists

Setting Outpatient Cardiac Rehabilitation Group

Physiotherapist You are a member of the cardiac rehabilitation team, specifi cally responsible for the graded exercise program of each participant. You have a new 45-year-old patient, who is attending for the fi rst time with his/her partner, who is extremely anxious and protective.

Task Give an outline of the program (walking program, monitored exercises, stress management, group discussion/education over a 6 week period). Respond to the partner’s anxiety and seek to gain his/her confi dence to participate in the rehabilitation program.

Roleplayer’s Card: Physiotherapists

Setting Outpatient Cardiac Rehabilitation Group

Patient Your 45-year-old partner suffered a heart attack 10 days ago, was admitted to the coronary care unit, and had an uncomplicated recovery. He/she has now been discharged and referred to the Cardiac Rehabilitation Group.

Both your parents died of cardiac disease at a relatively young age and you are extremely anxious and fearful regarding the recovery of your partner, about whom you feel very protective.

Task Find out some guidelines on physical activity from the physiotherapist in charge of the rehabilitation group. How effective are they likely to be in this sort of case? What sort of

OET – SAMPLE SPEAKING SUBTEST – PODIATRISTS

Candidate’s Card: Podiatrists

Setting Suburban private practice

Podiatrists This otherwise healthy 18 year old is suffering from an onychocryptosis (ingrowing toe nail) by poor nail cutting which left a splinter of nail in the fi bular sulcus of the right hallux. The splinter of nail needs to be removed, and antiseptic measures need to be taken to clear the infection.

Task Explain to the patient that you are going to remove the offending splinter of nail from the fi bular sulcus after administering a local anaesthetic injection to the hallux. An antiseptic dressing will then be applied to contain the infection.

Inform the patient:

– your treatment will resolve the immediate problem – condition may recur, due to toe nail shape

– if so, a partial nail avulsion is possible (to effect a permanent cure without drastically altering the shape of the nail).

Roleplayers Card: Podiatrists

Setting Suburban private practice

Patient You are 18 years old. The nail of the big toe of your right foot has been causing you some irritation on the inner side, so you cut a section of the nail away to relieve the irritation. A few days later you noticed that the side where you had cut the nail away was red and painful. When you examined the area, you noticed some pus.

Task Seek a remedy for the problem. You are concerned that the pain is preventing you from playing basketball, and that wearing any shoe is uncomfortable. However, you’ve never had an anaesthetic and are very apprehensive about the process. You want the problem fi xed once and for all.

OET – SAMPLE

Candidate’s Card: Radiographers

Setting Pre-procedure waiting area

Radiographer The patient is 58 years old, and has been suffering from pain in both lower legs.

Clinical notes: Bilateral Claudication; left greater than right; absent pulses below l. knee; possible bilateral peripheral vascular disease.

Examination required: Lumbar aortagram and bilateral femoral angiogram. You will be carrying out the x-ray procedure together assisted by a radiologist and a nurse.

Task • Check the patient’s identity

• Check that the patient has completed a consent form • Explain the procedure as follows:

– administration of the local anaesthetic on the groin area, insertion of a thin plastic catheter into the femoral artery, which is then passed into the main artery of the abdomen, injection of contrast using a pump and a series of pictures to follow the contrast down the legs

– positions and instructions during procedure (lying very still, fl at on back, holding breath when instructed)

– the need to press on the groin to seal the artery for 10 mins after procedure – the need to lie fl at in bed for 4 hrs; best rest for 24 hrs (to avoid developing a

large haemotoma).

Roleplayer’s Card: Radiographers

Setting Pre-procedure waiting area

Patient You are 58 years old. Over the last 12 months, you have developed pain in both lower legs when you walk any distance. Recently, the pain has been much worse, particularly in the left leg and has occurred more quickly (i.e., over a shorter distance).

Your doctor told you that he “needs some pictures of the blood vessels of your legs” and got you to sign a form to allow the procedure.

You are surprised that the blood vessels show up in x-rays and you don’t quite know or understand what the form was for.

Task Find out what is actually being done. It seems to be a lot of fuss.

OET – SAMPLE SPEAKING SUBTEST – SPEECH PATHOLOGISTS

Candidate’s Card: Speech Pathologists

Setting Early Intervention Centre Outpatient Clinic

Speech You are talking to the parent of a 2-year old girl with Cerebral Palsy – Spastic

Pathologist Quadriplegia.

Patient is always fed on her mother’s knee and tilted back. She is small and obviously underweight.

She has no speech and limited vocalisations.

Task Ask about how and what the child is usually fed. Give the parent a basic understanding of how to feed the child (hold upright, head in the middle). Provide one or two practical ideas about appropriate posture and types of food for the parent to take home and implement immediately.

Roleplayer’s Card: Speech Pathologists

Setting Early Intervention Centre Outpatient Clinic

Patient You are the parent of a 2-year-old girl with Cerebral Palsy. She is severely disabled and completely unable to eat or drink unassisted. She is bottle fed and eats only pureed food. You (and your spouse) always feed her on your knee, tilted back.

Task This is your fi rst visit to a Speech Pathologist. You are very concerned about your child’s weight. You are anxious to do the best for your child, but are worried by what the therapist tells you to do: in the past you have tried to feed your daughter in a high chair but she has coughed, lost most of the food, and nearly choked, on more than one occasion, which frightened you. How can you be sure to avoid a repeat of this, and what should you do if she does start choking again?

OET – SAMPLE VETERINARIANS – SPEAKING SUBTEST

Candidate’s Card: Veterinarians

Setting Suburban clinic

Veterinarian Your client has an 11-year-old entire male dog. The client thinks it has diarrhoea because he/she has noticed a watery discharge from the anus.

Task Ask your client to explain the symptoms. Get further history. (Any strain on passing faeces? Any bones fed to the animal?) Tell the owner your diagnosis (constipation secondary to the feeding of bones and a prostatic hyperplasia (enlarged prostate gland)); explain what should be done. Advise an enema under general anaesthetic if medical treatment is unsuccessful. Recommend castration at some point in the future. Explain why.

Give advice about diet for the dog. No bones.

Roleplayer’s Card: Veterinarians

Setting Suburban clinic

Patient You have an 11-year-old uncastrated male dog, Shep. The dog is quieter than normal and is not eating. You have noticed a watery discharge from his behind and you tell the vet he has diarrhoea.

If asked, you did notice that he had been straining to pass faeces and yes, you do feed him bones.

Task Answer the vet’s questions and fi nd out what is wrong with the dog. You feel stupid because you thought he had diarrhoea. You tell the vet that you have always given the dog bones and never had any trouble before.