Managing clinical encounters

Question 1

Opening the encounter

Answer 1

What has brought you in today?

Question 2

Gathering information

Answer 2

Understand what is causing the patient to be ill

Question 3

What is important when gathering information?

Answer 3

Plain language
Active listening
Dont fill every pause with a question

Question 4

Third parties

Answer 4

Ask permission if you need to get information from third parties
If third parties approach without patient’s knowledge- Who they are, relationship to patient and whether the patient knows the third party is talking to you. Tell the third party you can listen to them but cannot divulge any clinical information without patient’s permission. Explore anything spoken about with the patient to confirm the truth

Question 5

Breaking bad news?

Answer 5

Ask if want family present or even offer a nurse

Question 6

Closing the encounter

Answer 6

Summarising
Any remaining questions addressed
Check that you have an agreed plan of action with the patient and confirm arrangements for a follow up