Brush up your communication skills
What doctors want to get out of their consultations
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When studying medicine, we soon learn what we want from a consultation. You probably managed to make a list fairly quickly. It may have included some of the following:
- symptoms - find out about the patient's symptoms (but only if they're relevant), how long has he had them, does he get exacerbations/radiation/precipitating factors...
- previous history - list, with dates; also drug history, smoking status, list of allergies...
- signs - list of what you've found, plus relevant negative findings...
- management - decide what bloods to take, prescribe the right thing...
- records - keep records that will keep the boss happy...
- self-preservation - do it all fairly quickly and efficiently so that we can move on to the next patient and get home on time.
Think
OK, so what do our patients want to get our of their consultations? Again, write down at least eight things.
Important - when doing this, forget that you are a doctor - think about the last time you, or a relative of yours, were ill. Even better, ask a non-medical friend or relative.
Next page: What patients want to get out of their consultations
Study guide by: Michael Harris (Department of General Practice, Bath).
Last updated: 31 October 2005