The first consultation

10-minute consultation: First episode psychosis.

x Ask about symptoms suggesting psychological vulnerability, such as irritability, feeling uneasy, constant tiredness, suspiciousness, and withdrawal. x If you suspect psychosis, ask more about changes in social functioning, such as problems in relationships with friends and family; cognition, such as poor concentration or memory; mood, such as feeling depressed, anxious, or irritable; and thou...

Computers in the new consultation: within the first minute.

BACKGROUND Computers are now commonplace in the general practice consultation in many countries and literature is beginning to appear that describes the effects of this presence on the doctor-patient relationship. Concepts such as patient centredness emphasize the importance of this relationship to patient outcomes, yet the presence of the computer has introduced another partner to that relatio...

Audiotapes of oncology consultations: only for the first consultation?

BACKGROUND Patients value audiotapes of their oncology consultations and letters summarising the discussion, and report improved recall and satisfaction when they receive them. However, studies to date have provided these interventions only after the initial or 'bad news' consultation. This study aimed to evaluate the utility of audiotaping routine follow-up oncology consultations. PATIENTS A...

Diagnosing somatisation in adults in the first consultation.

supervision while in the low resource country. For our OOPEs who go to KwaZulu/Natal, we have a former senior GP educationalist who is able to visit them and supply some in-country support. Importantly, we also provide individual debriefing for returning OOPEs to help with their re-integration into the NHS. The sparsity of opportunities that Franey et al describe within GP schools is, I think, ...

First do no harm: communication and consultation skills.