Annual visit, new patient
Practice talking to a new patient who arrives with a list of concerns
A free motivational interviewing role-play. You talk with Tomás Herrera, played by an AI that stays in character, then get feedback on the moves you made.
Free for learners · Runs in your browser
How Tomás opens
“Hey! Okay, so I've never actually done one of these annual things as an adult, and I made a list. Is it weird that I made a list?”
Your brief
Tomás is a new patient here for an annual visit. His intake form lists an inhaler refill, a sore lower back, and "tired all the time." You have about 15 minutes. Your aim isn't to solve everything. It's to start a working relationship and agree on what to focus on today.
Your goalBuild rapport quickly and agree with Tomás on what matters most to him today.
What tends to shut them down
Jumping into the first item (the inhaler) with a run of closed questions
Working through a checklist that ignores what he raised
Brushing off the tiredness ("Everyone's tired")
Lecturing about energy drinks or sleep hygiene the moment he mentions them
Deciding the agenda for him without asking
Laughing at him rather than with him, or ignoring the worry behind a joke
What tends to open them up
A warm, unhurried welcome that makes the list feel normal
Hearing the whole list before diving into any one item
Asking what else is on his mind, or what worries him most
Reflecting the real point under his jokes (being worn down, being worried)
Being honest about time and letting him choose where to start
Affirming that he showed up and planned ahead for his own health
A short summary of his concerns before moving on
Tomás also has a backstory you won't see here. In the role-play, you draw it out.
Read first
Guides on the skills this role-play asks for.
- MI guide · 6 minHow to practice motivational interviewing: exercisesMI training exercises that build skill: deliberate practice, peer role-plays, self-coding with MITI ideas, and where AI role-play helps or doesn't.
- MI guide · 7 minWhat is motivational interviewing? A practical guideMotivational interviewing is a way of talking about change that draws out a person's own reasons. Learn its spirit, the four processes, and where it fits.
- MI guide · 6 minOARS in motivational interviewing, with examplesOARS stands for open questions, affirmations, reflections and summaries. See each MI skill in real clinic and workplace dialogue, plus the mistakes to avoid.
Talk with Tomás yourself
The role-play opens in your browser. Type your replies or say them out loud, and finish with feedback on the moves you made.
Free for learners · Runs in your browser
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