A Selection of Ten Current Readings (2003 and 2004) on Consultation Skills, Communications and Counselling Skills Development Available as Free Full-text (some Requiring Payment)

BACKGROUND: The Triple P-Positive Parenting Program is a behavioural family intervention program that aims to prevent severe behavioral, emotional and developmental problems in children by enhancing the knowledge, skills, and confidence of parents. OBJECTIVE: This study evaluated the effect of training general practitioners in the use of the primary care version of the TPP on their consultation skills, satisfaction and confidence in conducting consultations with parents. STUDY DESIGN: Participants were assigned to an experimental condition that involved a brief behaviorally oriented parent consultation skills training program or to a wait-list comparison group. Thirty-two GPs participated in the training. Fifteen participants attended the first workshop (intervention group) and 17 attended the second (wait-list comparison group). RESULTS: GPs who participated in the training reported greater satisfaction with the outcomes of their parent consultations and showed significantly greater use of targeted parent consultation skills than GPs in the wait-list comparison group. Observations of GP consultation skills during simulated patient interviews with parents showed there was a significant overall improvement in their interactional skills during parent consultations. There was a high level of satisfaction with the quality of training received by the GPs. CONCLUSION: This was a brief, cost effective program that had significant effects on participating GPs’ skills, confidence and satisfaction with child consultations involving behavioral problems. Implications for public health approaches to the prevention of child psychopathology are discussed. Reading 1 C M E C A T E G O R Y I I I A _ S E L F S T U D Y Eastgate G, Lennox NG. Primary health care for adults with intellectual disability. Aust Fam Physician. 2003 May; 32(5):330-3. http://www.racgp.org.au/afp/downloads/pdf/may2003/20030501eastgate.pdf (free full text) Developmental Disability Unit, University of Queensland. [email protected] ABSTRACT BACKGROUND: In recent decades people with intellectual disability have moved from institutional care into the community and are now reliant on general practice services for their primary medical care. Their complex health needs present a considerable challenge to the general practitioner. OBJECTIVE: This article aims to outline the common physical and psychiatric conditions found in adults with intellectual disability, and the need for a structured approach to health care in patients with limited communication skills. DISCUSSION: Adults with intellectual disability frequently have undiagnosed health problems. In many cases these will only be identified by specific examination and testing. Health assessment tools offer a useful guide to which conditions to look out for. Early identification and treatment enhances quality of life for both people with intellectual disability and their carers. Reading 2BACKGROUND: In recent decades people with intellectual disability have moved from institutional care into the community and are now reliant on general practice services for their primary medical care. Their complex health needs present a considerable challenge to the general practitioner. OBJECTIVE: This article aims to outline the common physical and psychiatric conditions found in adults with intellectual disability, and the need for a structured approach to health care in patients with limited communication skills. DISCUSSION: Adults with intellectual disability frequently have undiagnosed health problems. In many cases these will only be identified by specific examination and testing. Health assessment tools offer a useful guide to which conditions to look out for. Early identification and treatment enhances quality of life for both people with intellectual disability and their carers. Reading 2