The Consultation

Question 1

What is the consultation ?

Answer 1

The consultation is an encounter between a clinician and a person seeking help with the purpose to improve or restore the health of that person.

Question 2

What are the 5 core elements involved in the consultation ?

Answer 2

1. Trust
2. Respect
3. Patient autonomy
4. Confidentiality
5. Empathy

Question 3

What are the three main objectives of the consultation ?

Answer 3

1. To understand the real reason for the encounter/consultation
2. To achieve an optimum outcome for the patient through a negotiated approach
3. To strengthen the doctor patient relationship

Question 4

Which skills are necessary skills for a consultation ?

Answer 4

Communication skills
Clinical reasoning
Clinical skills
Procedural skills
Counselling skills
Health promotion skills
Educational skills

Question 5

What are the 4 main non-verbal communication skills and explain each ?

Answer 5

1. Visual: eye contact, cultural differences, facial expressions, body language( yours and the pt’s)
2. Vocal: tone of voice, respect the pt’s language preference, avoid medical jargon
3. Tactile: some prefer a touch, while others find it intrusive. Body space: be mindful of yours and respect the pt’s.
4. Olfactory: body odours: halitosis, perspiration can get in the way of the consultation. Avoid excessive use of perfume and deodarant.

Question 6

What is clinical reasoning ?

Answer 6

This is the ongoing process where the doctor gathers information and makes sense of it in a logical and comprehensive assessment that can lead to a mutual plan.

Question 7

What does the process of clinical reasoning include ?

Answer 7

Observing verbal and non-verbal cues
Focused history taking
Hypothesis formation and testing
Focused physical examination
Hypothesis formation and testing
Focused investigations
Comprehensive assessment – clinical, individual and contextual
Comprehensive management plan – clinical , individual and contextual