In this consultation, the patient deliberately attempts to mislead his doctor. A plausible patient presents with an apparent simple enough request for a prescription for the contraceptive pill for his wife. The story is that his wife has had to look after her sick mother in the country and has left her pill prescription up in town; the patient wondered whether the doctor would be kind enough to make out a duplicate prescription which he will send to his wife.

As the situation appears straightforward, after some questions to see whether there are any hidden worries or problems, he agrees to provide the pill prescription. At this junction, it is suggested that the tape might be stopped, and discussions centred around the theme of how reasonable the doctor’s action was and whether anyone would disagree with him giving the prescription.

The story then resumes, and the patient informs the doctor that he had been separated from his wife for some nine months and that his solicitor undertaking the divorce proceedings, has asked the patient to obtain a pill prescription as evidence of adultery on his wife’s part. Following the devastating information, the patient leaves hurriedly, allowing the doctor no time to repair the situation.