ABSTRACT
The consultation is the central element of general practice, and becoming experienced in consultation skills may require many years of training and practice. However, one has to start some where. A short book like this cannot and does not intend even to outline the basics of consultation technique, and learning how to consult is part of the day-release course and training in your practice, backed up by reading the standard literature. Rather, this chapter aims to provide some simple suggestions (that may not always work!) on how to tackle some difficult or more unusual patient contacts that may be baffling when you are first starting work as a registrar. Generally speaking, the great majority of patients are undoubtedly very pleasant and enjoyable to look after. However, most general practitioners will invariably have a couple of characters among their patients who may cause an immediate ‘fight-or-flight’ reaction as soon as their name is spotted. These few people, who may have difficult personalities, exuberant demands or a multitude of problems, sometimes pose a definite challenge, making us doubt our own competence because
we find it difficult to cater for their needs. A few strategies may help you to make the most of these encounters, resulting in a satisfactory consultation for both patient and doctor.
