1. Advanced consultation skills
Consulting with more than one patient

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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.