Advanced consultation skills Consulting with more than one patient

Two way consultation Check that you know who is who (Ask yourself why the relative has come?) Welcome both parties Get the seating right so that the patient is the primary focus but the relative is not excluded

Two way consultation Check what the patient is happy to share Signpost clearly who you are talking to Ask permission to get the relatives views Be alert to cues from both parties

Two way consultations Don’t get too side tracked away from the patients problem by the relative Think about privacy/chaperone/ 2nd party leaving the room prior to physical examination You may need to summarise for both patient & relative and the emphasis of the summaries may be different You may want to ask just the patient or both to come back to the review appointment depending upon which is going to be the most productive.