Advanced Consultation Skills

Question 1

what is a consultation

Answer 1

a meeting to discuss something or get advice, with the goal of discovering the best course of action to take

Question 2

give examples of consultations

Answer 2

• medicines optimisation/reconciliation
• handing out discharge medicines/prescriptions
• OTC requests

Question 3

describe the benefit of consultations in GP surgeries

Answer 3

1. reduced waiting times for appointments
2. increased access to healthcare
3. improves screening and diagnosis of chronic and common ailments
4. reduced a and e admissions
5. reduced wastage and overuse of medicine

Question 4

why are consultation skills important

Answer 4

1. core component of practice
2. improves patient satisfaction
3. reduces complaints
4. patients more likely to follow advice so improved health outcomes

Question 5

why is medicines optimisation important

Answer 5

1. only 16% of patients prescribed a new medicine take it as prescribed, experience no problems and receive as much info as they need
   - 10 days after starting a medicine, almost a third are non adherent
2. reduces medication errors

Question 6

what are patient centred consultations

Answer 6

1. care that meets and responds to patients wants and preferences and where patients are autonomous and able to decide for themselves
2. start consultation asking patient if there is anything in particular they want to go through

Question 7

give examples of questions that can be asked in patient centred consultations

Answer 7

ICE-
- do you have any ideas about what might have caused it
- is there anything in particular that concerns you
- what were your expectations from your visit to the pharmacy

Question 8

what nmeomonic can be used to encourage patients to ask more questions

Answer 8

BRAN
- what are the benefits
- what are the risks
- what are the alternatives
- what if I do nothing

Question 9

what are the steps in the Calgary Cambridge structure of a consultation

Answer 9

1. initiating the session
2. gathering info
3. physical examination
4. explanation and planning
5. closing the session

Question 10

what is used to assess pharmacists consultation skills

Answer 10

medication related consultation framework

Question 11

tips for effective communication

Answer 11

1. explore patients understanding and motivation
2. explain things clearly in plain language
3. focus on key messages and repeat
   - patients tend to remember 1st and last parts
4. ensure understanding and review
5. answer questions