Patient interview

How to interview a patient with erectile dysfunction

Other platforms explain it with text and video. In VMS you practice it on the patient.

MD / DOPA
Practice it in VR with Blocky

Erectile dysfunction is often an early sign of heart and vascular disease. A respectful, direct interview gets the answers.

Step by step

  1. Introduce yourself and normalize

    "Many men have this problem, and it can be treated." [1]

  2. Onset and pattern

    Sudden or gradual, all the time or only in some situations. [2]

  3. Morning erections

    Present morning erections suggest a psychological cause; absent ones suggest a physical cause. [3]

  4. Heart and vascular risk

    High blood pressure, diabetes, cholesterol, smoking, chest pain on exertion. [3]

  5. Medicines and substances

    Blood pressure drugs, antidepressants, alcohol, drugs. Ask about nitrates before any treatment. [3]

  6. Mood and relationship

    Stress, depression, relationship problems. [3]

  7. Summarize and plan

    Explain the tests and treatment options. [1]

Common errors

Practice it in VMS

In VMS you do this on the patient, not on paper: every step goes on the checklist with a score, and in Teach mode Blocky tells you what comes next.

VMS cases that train this skill

Sources

  1. AAMC Core Entrustable Professional Activities (Core EPAs)
  2. NBOME COMLEX-USA clinical presentations
  3. NCCPA PANCE Content Blueprint

Facts and steps follow NBOME COMLEX-USA clinical presentations; NCCPA PANCE Content Blueprint; AAMC Core Entrustable Professional Activities (Core EPAs). VMS is not affiliated with these organizations. Updated: 2026-10-11.