The One Dozen Most Important Things You May Not Have Known, Understood, or Realized About American Medicine

Scenario Script

Scene 1

Doctor is professionally attired in white coat shirt and tie and has a clipboard in hand and stethoscope draped over his neck. He is standing facing a patient, who is sitting on an examination table in the examination room in a patient gown.

Doctor: Your blood pressure is still too high. Are you sure you are taking your medications as directed?

Patient 1: Yes, doctor, I am... really...

Doctor: Well, make sure that you do. It’s really important. And I want to add another drug. Make sure you take them both everyday.

Patient 1: Yes doctor.

Scene 2

Same doctor is now sitting at a desktop across from a second patient, who is sitting in a chair and wearing street clothes.

Doctor: Your blood pressure is still too high. Are you sure you are taking your medications as directed?

Patient 2: Well, doctor, the truth is that medication makes me feel funny. I'm not sure it’s the right one for me.

Doctor: It’s one of the best and I use it for almost all my patients with high blood pressure. And I want to add another drug.

Patient 2: You mean you want me to take two medications every day? I don't want to do that! What about this medication? [Takes papers out of bag.] A friend of mine is taking it and she says it is really good. I checked it out on the Internet. Could you prescribe this one for me instead?

Back to top