Brush up your communication skills
Top tips from our GP Registrars
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I asked a dozen of our brightest GP Registrars what they wished they'd known when they were PRHOs.
They gave a lot of helpful advice, which is listed here.
- Elicit the patient's ideas, concerns and expectations - this was their top tip, and you can read about it here.
- Develop a strategy for breaking bad news - http://www.skillscascade.com/badnews.htm gives a helpful model.
- Also, develop a strategy for handling angry people and managing conflict. See http://www.bbc.co.uk/health/healthy_living/health_at_work/emotional_conflict1.shtml for useful advice.
- Remember that you are in a training post and that you need to learn.
- Make a broad differential diagnosis - don't focus down on one possible diagnosis to the exclusion of others.
- Reflect on your experiences so that you can learn from them.
- Be assertive if bullied - http://www.sangrea.net/bully/selfhelp.php gives lots of practical tips on this.
- Look after yourself!
Next page: Test yourself
Study guide by: Michael Harris (Department of General Practice, Bath).
Last updated: 28 February 2007