A patient coming in for results that are serious. Learner must walk the SPIKES arc — set up the conversation, check what she already suspects, deliver the news plainly, hold the emotion, and agree on next steps — without hiding behind jargon.
One of 13 difficult & emotional conversations scenarios in the library.
AI roleplay scenario · Hospice
Eleanor Griggs · Patient, receiving a diagnosis
“I’m here for my results, but I’m terrified of what you’re going to tell me. Is it as bad as I think?”
You are the hospice or palliative care clinician meeting with Eleanor Griggs to discuss serious diagnostic results.
Skills you'll train
Your brief
You are the hospice or palliative care clinician meeting with Eleanor Griggs to discuss serious diagnostic results. Eleanor is frightened and may already suspect that the news is serious, so this conversation matters as much for how you hold the moment as for what you say. Guide the conversation toward honest understanding, emotional support, and a clear, appropriate next step.
Why it's hard
She has already spent the weekend bracing for bad news, so vague wording lands as self-protection, not kindness. In hospice and palliative care, a soft lead-in can quickly sound like you are making her work to drag the truth out of you. You need to name the diagnosis clearly, then stay present instead of rushing into explanations.
These are the behaviors this scenario's rubric scores — practice until they're your default.
SPIKES diagnosis-delivery training is practice for giving serious test results in a clear, humane way. On this page, you speak with a voice AI patient, Eleanor Griggs, who reacts in real time as you set up the conversation, share the diagnosis, and respond to emotion. Your performance is scored against the scenario rubric.
James Porter
Patient's son
A family who must hear their loved one is declining or near death. Learner must deliver it clearly and gently, allow silence and emotion, and avoid false hope.
Skills you'll train
Susan Brennan
Resident's daughter
A family member who must hear their loved one declined or had an incident. The AI reacts with worry, guilt, or anger. Learner must deliver it clearly and compassionately and answer honestly.
Skills you'll train
Marisol Bennett
Patient's daughter
A family caregiver notices changes in breathing, sleep, and responsiveness and fears their loved one is suffering. The AI asks direct, emotional questions and becomes more distressed if given vague reassurance. Learner must explain what to expect in plain language, validate the fear, and identify when to call the hospice team.
Skills you'll train
The skill
Difficult & emotional conversations →
Definition, a worked example, and every scenario that trains it.
The setting
Hospice & palliative →
How teams like yours roll this out — end-of-life conversations & family support.
Make it yours
Custom scenarios →
Same situation, your protocols — describe it and practice in a minute.
Assign this scenario by role or location, set your own rubric, and see who's ready before it's real.