Table 3.

Categories of approaches to uncertainty inherent in nature of medical evidence by health issue

Health issue	Focus on certainty for now and this test, with slippage into general reassurance	Weaving coherent account of medical evidence for risks and benefits, but with blurring of uncertainty inherent in evidence and impression of certainty	Acknowledging uncertainty of outcome from using intervention including inherent uncertainty of medical evidence, and coping with this uncertainty through a negotiated provisional decision
Concern about breast lump or positive screening result	7	—	—
Bone densitometry result and subsequent management	—	9	1
Starting hormone replacement therapy	—	4	—
Review of hormone replacement therapy or restarting after break	—	5	13
Requesting information or referral for screening (mammography or bone densitometry)	—	1	1

Table excludes four consultations that were not categorised.