The First Ten Minutes

You will be able toWhat should happen in the first ten minutes after a disclosure?

Case opening

What do you know?

A colleague, student or patient asks to speak privately and says, ‘My family has arranged something. I do not want it, but I am frightened about what happens if I say no.’

First decision

Choose and justify before opening the debrief.

Ask for a complete history immediatelyListen, clarify immediate safety needs appropriate to role, and explain confidentiality limitsCall the family to hear both sidesPromise nothing will be shared

Choose the reason that best supports your decision.It prioritises immediate safety, evidence and role boundaries without unsafe family contact.It produces the fastest final conclusion, even if evidence is incomplete.It transfers responsibility to family or community members.

Optional reflection: what is known, reported, inferred, assumed or unknown? Free text is not used to unlock the debrief.

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