Activity 6
The Dilemma
Objective:
Nurses and midwifes will take part in an activity that demonstrates the way
people often experience referral to services. This will provide insight to the
frustrations of drug and alcohol referral and provide a platform for discussion.
Instructions:
This activity needs at least 10 participants and up to 15 could be used activity.
There are: 5 Patients
5 Service Providers
Up to 5 Observers
The participants are shown via a slide the instructions for the game.
Although they are asked to ‘follow the instructions’ the game works better when
patients and service providers bend the rules to make it more life like, fun and
more interesting.
Each patient is given a letter to identify them from A to E.
Each service provider is nominated a number from 1-5.
This identification can be indicated via sticky labels. To make it more challenging
participants may not be identified to each other and they need to find out.
Each service provider has a list of instructions relating to each patient (see
following). They are asked to mark off each instruction after the patients start
approaching when the activity starts. They are also given a list to identify each
patient (see following). This can provoke some attitudes towards the patients as
part of the activity.
The goal is for the patients to get a coloured piece paper which unknown to them
is held by Service provider 5. The person conducting (facilitator) the activity can
limit the amount of this paper so one or more patients will miss out (there may
only be one piece).
Observer are asked to write down what is happening and said to feed back to the
group.
At the end of the activity which can be conducted between 5 and 10 minutes
there should be a debriefing held.
1. The patients individually are asked what is it was like, this can be a
number of questions from the facilitator depending on the time available.
2. Next is the service providers turn
3. Finally it is the observers turn
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The participants will find it confusing at first and this will be ongoing, but they
should be encouraged to keep going. The experience and frustration of the
process is fertile ground for discussion especially leading into the presentation on
referral. The activity is also a good rejuvenator, late in the afternoon.
Developed by Mabbutt 1995
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Cut these out and give to the service providers
THE CLIENTS
A. Female child.
B. Old male.
C. Female from a non English speaking background.
D. Male alcohol dependent, smelling of alcohol and untidy.
E. Male heroin dependent, torn jeans, tattoos, missing teeth.
THE CLIENTS
A. Female child.
B. Old male.
C. Female from a non English speaking background.
D. Male alcohol dependent, smelling of alcohol and untidy.
E. Male heroin dependent, torn jeans, tattoos, missing teeth.
THE CLIENTS
A. Female child.
B. Old male.
C. Female from a non English speaking background.
D. Male alcohol dependent, smelling of alcohol and untidy.
E. Male heroin dependent, torn jeans, tattoos, missing teeth.
THE CLIENTS
A. Female child.
B. Old male.
C. Female from a non English speaking background.
D. Male alcohol dependent, smelling of alcohol and untidy.
E. Male heroin dependent, torn jeans, tattoos, missing teeth.
THE CLIENTS
A. Female child.
B. Old male.
C. Female from a non English speaking background.
D. Male alcohol dependent, smelling of alcohol and untidy.
E. Male heroin dependent, torn jeans, tattoos, missing teeth.
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INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE DILEMMA
 All clients receive a piece of paper
 All clients must start at service provider 1
 All clients must gain appropriate signatures on pink pieces of
paper
 The aim is not to be the last client to receive a coloured piece of
paper
 Clients are asked to follow the instructions of service providers
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INSTRUCTIONS FOR SERVICE 1
A
* SEND TO 2
B
* SEND TO 2
C
* WAIT AT BACK OF LINE THEN SEND TO 2
* SEND TO 4
D
* WAIT FOR 1 MIN THEN SEND TO 4
* WAIT FOR 1 MIN THEN SEND TO 2
E
* SEND TO 3
* SEND TO 2
* SEND TO 4
* KEEP WAITING
5
INSTRUCTIONS FOR SERVICE 2
A
* SEND TO 3
B
* SEND TO BACK OF LINE THEN SEND TO 3
C
* SEND TO 4
* SEND TO 4
* SEND TO 4
* SEND TO 1
D
* WAIT FOR 1 MIN THEN SEND TO 1
* SEND TO 3
E
* SEND TO 3
* WAIT FOR 1 MIN THEN SEND TO 1
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INSTRUCTIONS FOR SERVICE 3
A
* SEND TO 4
B
* WAIT 1 MIN THEN SEND TO 4
* WAIT 1 MIN THEN SEND TO 4
D
* SEND TO 2
* WAIT 1 MIN THEN SEND TO 4
* WAIT 1 MIN THEN SEND TO 4
E
* SEND TO 4
* SEND TO 4
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INSTRUCTIONS FOR SERVICE 4
A
* WAIT 1 MIN THEN SEND TO 5
B
* SEND TO 3
* WAIT 2 MIN THEN SEND TO 5
C
* WAIT 1 MIN THEN SEND TO 2
* WAIT 1 MIN THEN SEND TO 2
* WAIT 1 MIN THEN SEND TO 2
* SEND TO 5
D
* SEND TO 3
* WAIT 1 MIN THEN SEND TO 3
* WAIT 2 MIN THEN SEND TO 5
E
* SEND TO 2
* SEND TO 1
* WAIT 1 MIN THEN SEND TO 1
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INSTRUCTIONS FOR SERVICE 5
A
* I WILL GIVE YOU WHAT YOU WANT
HAVE A SEAT
B
* I WILL ALMOST GIVE YOU WHAT YOU WANT
HAVE A SEAT
C
* I WILL TRY AND GIVE YOU WHAT YOU WANT
HAVE A SEAT
D
*HAVE A SEAT
E
* I DON’T HAVE ANY INSTRUCTIONS FOR YOU
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