Authors: Simulation and Certification Center

Editor: Rednenko V.V.

Clinical situation:

You have come to a woman standing outside the rubble of a fallen building. She is crying and shaking, although she does not appear to be physically injured.

Equipment for the practical skill:

  • simulated patient.

The procedure for performing a practical skill

  • Introduce yourself by name and tell the person the agency you work for.
  • Ask the person if they would like to talk.
  • Address the person by their name, respectfully using the last name.
  • Protect the distressed person from further harm by moving to a safer place.
  • Offer the distressed person some comfort (for example, some water).
  • Listen and stay near the person, without forcing them to talk.
  • Reflect back to the person ways they had acted appropriately.
  • Take the time to listen.
  • Identify the person’s needs and concerns.
  • Acknowledge the person’s worry over the possible loss of colleagues.
  • Offer to help connect the person with their family members.

Sample conversation

  • You: Hello, my name is __. I’m working with the agency __. May I talk with you?
  • Woman: It’s terrible! I was going into the building when it started shaking! I don’t understand what’s happening!
  • You: Yes, it was an earthquake and I can imagine it was terrible for you. What is your name?
  • Woman: I’m Jasmina - Jasmina Salem. I’m very scared! [shaking, crying] I wonder if I should go in there and try to find my colleagues? I don’t know if they’re all right!
  • You: Ms. Salem, it’s not safe at all to go in the building now, you may get hurt. If you like, we can talk just over there where the area is safer and I can sit with you for a while. Would you like that?
  • Woman: Yes, please. [You move to a quieter place a short distance away from the scene of the fallen building where rescue and medical people are working.]
  • You: Can I get you some water? [If available, offer practical comfort like water or a blanket.]
  • Woman: I just want to sit here a moment. [You sit quietly near the woman in silence for two to three minutes, until she begins to speak again.]
  • Woman: I feel terrible! I should have stayed in the building to help people!
  • You: I can understand that.
  • Woman: I ran outside. But I feel so badly for the other people!
  • You: It’s difficult to know what to do in a situation like this. But it sounds as though you acted on good instincts when you ran from the building, or you might have been injured.
  • Woman: I saw them take a body out of the rubble. I think it was my friend! [crying]
  • You: I’m so sorry. There is a rescue team working, and we will find out later how the people are who were in the building.  [The conversation continues for another 10 minutes with you listening to the woman’s story and asking for her needs and concerns. The conversation wraps up as follows]
  • Woman: I need to find out if my family is all right, but I lost my phone when the shaking started, and I don’t know how to get home.
  • You: I can help you call your family, and then we can figure out together how you can get to them.
  • Woman: Thank you. That would help a lot.


Last modified: Sunday, 29 June 2025, 4:23 PM