ABSTRACT
When GPs and nurses/nurse practitioners are training, a great deal of time and attention is devoted to their consultation skills regular debriefing, joint surgeries, video analysis and weekly tutorials. This introduction presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters of this book. The book helps health professionals to discover, recognise, practise and extend their own model of the consultation. The book has two main sections, the first takes the consultation apart and looks in detail at the various phases of the process of consultation. It explores the tools and skills that will help make consultations more effective and efficient. The second part describes educational tools – such as videoing, random case analysis, problem case debriefing and feedback – to improve consultations. It also explores the MRCGP exam, the requirements of summative assessment and appraisal.
