Consultation problems

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

References

1. Fraser R. Clinical Method; a general practice approach. Chapter 5. 1992
2. Hodgkin K. Towards Earlier Diagnosis; a guide to primary care. 1985