Main description:

The Inner Consultation, Second Edition sets out the author's thoughts on how consulting skills, and methods of teaching them, have evolved in the 17 years since the book's first publication. It also develops the theme of 'curiosity' as the key requirement for patient-centred consulting and provides a practical consultation model with five checkpoints to work to, advice for developing skills, and suggestions for doctors to ensure they know the cues in the consultation that require their full attention. All general practitioners, GP registrars, and medical professionals will find this book essential and thought-provoking reading.

Contents:

Overview. Section A: Goal setting. Problem? What problem? How have you been taught previously? Models of the consultation. On having two heads. Keeping it simple - the consultation as a journey. Five 'en-route', checkpoints. Section B: Skill building. How people learn. Checkpoint 1 (connecting) - rapport-building skills. Checkpoint 2 (summarizing) - listening and eliciting skills. Interlude - the clinical process in general practice. Checkpoint 3 (handover) - communication skills. Checkpoint 4 (safety netting) - predicting skills. Checkpoint 5 (housekeeping) - taking care of yourself. Section C: Getting it together. On only having one head. The inner consultation. Zen and the art of the consultation.