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Consultation problems

Last reviewed dd mmm yyyy. Last edited dd mmm yyyy

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Consultations may go wrong for a number of reasons:

  • Assumptions - patients and doctors have different attitudes, beliefs, prejudices and expectations
  • Detachment - a degree of detachment is necessary for making the diagnosis and managing the patient
  • Anxiety - a high level of anxiety in the doctor increases inappropriate investigations and referrals
  • Emotions - the doctor may feel uneasy with the patient's emotions or be unwilling to show emotion
  • Frequent attendance - strategies have be found to limit some patients demands
  • Dependence - unnecessary follow-up consultations and visits reduce the patient's autonomy
  • Behavioural factors - the doctor may unwittingly do something that makes the patient feel very uncomfortable
  • Environment - the way the surgery is set out may hinder a successful consultation

ref: P McAvoy, ch 5 of Clinical Method, A general practice approach, ed Robin Fraser, 2e 1992 K Hodgkin, Towards Earlier Diagnosis, A guide to primary care, 5e 1985


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The content herein is provided for informational purposes and does not replace the need to apply professional clinical judgement when diagnosing or treating any medical condition. A licensed medical practitioner should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions.

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