Patient-Centred Consulting for the MRCGP: Using the RCGP competences to improve your consulting

This book aims to help readers develop a consulting style which focuses on the needs of the patient rather than resorting to a formulaic approach to questioning.

It helps readers to display the competences required to pass the CSA exam. Using patient–doctor dialogues, the reader is shown both positive and negative indicators for a broad array of consultation types. The reflective style used in the book will help the doctor identify which aspects of the competences tested in the examination they need to improve.

The book will also help you to avoid these common problems:

• Disorganised or unstructured consultation
• Not recognising the issues or priorities
• Showing poor time management
• Not appearing to develop rapport or show awareness of patient’s agenda and preferences
• Poor active listening skills and use of cues
• Not developing a shared plan
• Not using language that is relevant and understandable to the patient

The book is structured with the patient, rather than the disease, at the centre of the consultation, in keeping with the design of the CSA examination. The style of writing is aimed at encouraging self-learning, to avoid readers picking up formulaic habits.

Patient-Centred Consulting for the MRCGP brings together lifelike patient–doctor dialogues with the RCGP competency framework. It will help improve your daily consultations through a reflective understanding of the skills required to put the patient first.