Simulated Office Orals (SOOs)
The oral examination is comprised of five simulated office orals each 15 minutes in length. They are designed to duplicate, insofar as possible, the actual "setting" in which the family physician conducts a practice. Family physicians are trained to role-play patients presenting with specific complaints. The physician playing the role of the patient notes the management of the case by the candidate, and he or she will score the candidate according to predefined criteria. This examination will assess both the definition and management of health problems. The scoring system has been devised to focus on the candidate's approach to dealing with patients—including their ability to understand the patient's unique experience and to establish a positive doctor-patient relationship. Getting the "right diagnosis" plays only a minor role in the scoring. There are no hidden agendas.
The College believes that physicians who use a patient-centered approach best meet their patients' needs. The patient-centered clinical method is explained in detail in the book Patient-centered medicine: transforming the clinical method. 2nd ed. Stewart M, Brown JB, Weston WW, McWhinney IR, McWilliam CL, Freeman TR. Radcliffe Medical Press, 2003. ISBN 1857759818
Please take a moment to read the Introduction, Instructions to the Candidate, Instructions to the Examiner and the Marking Scheme to familiarize yourself with the process and the case presented before viewing the demonstration video.
The CFPC SOO Videos Library serves as a resource representative of the Simulated Office Oral encounter. A more meaningful viewing experience rewards the viewer who abides by the College’s recommendation to study the SOO Video Viewing and Scoring protocol outlined in the following document, prior to the actual viewing of the featured SOO video.
Guidelines on the Optimum Viewing and Scoring of SOO Video.
SOO Videos Library |
Video | Summary |
| This video features the case of a 42-year-old male patient, Mr. Bill Snook, presenting with the problems of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and a gambling addiction.
Dr. Jenny Clement conducts the patient interview. |
SOO Scripts Library |
SOO | Character | Topics |
Sample 1 | Brian Watson | 1. Gynecomastia and Prostate Cancer
2. Sexual Dysfunction |
Sample 2 | Daniel Labbe | 1. Post-Coital Contraception for Girlfriend
2. Herpes Infection |
Sample 3 | Fr. Michael Johnstone | 1. Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
2. Bipolar Disorder |
Sample 4 | Tanya Bracewell | 1. Vomiting in Pregnancy
2. Pregnancy-Related Issues |
Sample 5 | Frank Lowe | 1. Erectile Dysfunction
2. Wife’s Recent Death/Children’s Reaction |
Sample 6 | Michaela Montini | 1. Asthma
2. Abusive Husband |
Sample 7 | Cherie Ward | 1. Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
2. Hepatitis C Infection |
Sample 8 | Dr. Mary Noseby | 1. Type 2 Diabetes
2. Problem Drinking |
Sample 9 | Miranda Stephenson | 1. Bipolar Disease
2. Carpal Tunnel Syndrome |
Sample 10 | Monica Wells | 1. Son’s Speech Delay
2. Neck Mass |