ABSTRACT
Look at the opening statement of the paragraph
opposite and see how many of the ideas in it you
would consider ‘outmoded’ in general practice
and primary medical care
Psychological issues are important in all encounters between a doctor and a patient, and the ability to comprehend, assess and manage these, in partnership with the patient, is a basic medical skill. General practice is the place where emotional issues may be identified and managed. The doctor’s psychological responses and state of mind may be as important as those of the patient.
