Table 5.

Closing consultation stages.

Example		Face-to-face consultation, n	Telephone consultation, n
Closing of reason for attendance stage
(a) Patient initiates closing by restating problem
Example		29	25
P:	so . em . I just wondered rather than . come in hh em .
	if you could write a prescription for anything?
D:	mm yea:h . I'm sure we can . I'm sure we can . w-what sorta what way are they
	. the:y . bothering you. Fiona?
(b) Patient initiates closing by falling silent
Example		17	6
D:	(inbreath) now . you said there's something else as well?
P:	aye
D:	aha
P:	the- . p- . it's been swelling up
	(1)
D:	right . is that your left leg? (face-to-face consultation))
Closing of verbal/physical examination stage
(a) Doctor initiates closing by giving decision
Example		38	19
P:	(patient responds to doctor's question) but . I don't have any problems
D:	right . no . well that's fine . well . it's . it's . if you are still . if you're still having a regular . bleed
P:	mh[m
D:	[the chances are you are still ovulating so
P:	right . [right
D:	[you still need protection [(unclear)
(b) Patient initiates closing by restating problem
Example		–	6
P:	so I was just ringing up to see if I actually needed to be seen or if I needed a . a course of [antibiotics or what
D:		[we::ll . same story of like a boil anywhere in the body
Closing of decision-making stage
(a) Doctor initiates closing by repeating advice and checking
Example		29	32
D:	[I kno:w . but I think . cos the other one's specifically for your skin so ((repeats advice)) see what's going on . but
P:	ye:s
D:	is that . is that oka:y?
P:	yeah . oh that sounds fine (?doctor)
(b) Patient initiates closing by restating arrangements
Example		3	1
D:	yeah . [yes
P:	[yeah we had two or three holidays there . it's beautiful . e:rm . so I'll come back and see you a week on Tuesday
D:	yes . and we'll . we'll go through the x-ray and [see what it [shows
P:	[right [see what it impl[ies
D:	[yeah