Table 2. Evaluation of consultation skills.
| Number | Consultation skilla | Not done,n (%) | Partially done,n (%) | Fully done,n (%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Makes appropriate greeting or introduction, and demonstrates interest and respect (n = 23) | 12 (52.2) | 5 (21.7) | 6 (26.1) |
| 2 | Identifies and confirms the patient’s problem list or issues (n = 23) | 9 (39.1) | 12 (52.2) | 2 (8.7) |
| 3 | Encourages patient’s contribution or story (n = 23) | 1 (4.3) | 12 (52.2) | 10 (43.5) |
| 4 | Makes an attempt to understand the patient’s perspective (n = 23) | 9 (39.1) | 13 (56.5) | 1 (4.3) |
| 5 | Thinks family, and obtains relevant family, social, and occupational information (n = 23) | 12 (52.2) | 8 (34.8) | 3 (13.0) |
| 6 | Obtains sufficient information to ensure no serious condition is likely to be missed (n = 23) | 1 (4.3) | 3 (13.1) | 19 (82.6) |
| 7 | Appears to make a clinically appropriate working diagnosis (n = 23) | 1 (4.3) | 2 (8.7) | 20 (87.0) |
| 8 | There is a clear explanation of the diagnosis and management plan (n = 18) | 0 (0.0) | 2 (11.1) | 16 (88.9) |
| 9 | Gives patient an opportunity to ask for other information and/or seeks to confirm patient’s understanding (n = 18) | 2 (11.2) | 8 (44.4) | 8 (44.4) |
| 10 | The explanation takes account of and relates to the patient’s perspective (n = 20) | 13 (65.0) | 3 (15.0) | 4 (20.0) |
| 11 | Involves the patient where appropriate in decision making (n = 23) | 3 (13.0) | 7 (30.4) | 13 (56.5) |
| 12 | Chooses an appropriate management plan (n = 20) | 0 (0.0) | 1 (5.0) | 19 (95.0) |
| 13 | Shows a commitment to coordination of care (n = 15) | 0 (0.0) | 1 (6.7) | 14 (93.3) |
| 14 | Shows a commitment to continuity of care (n = 20) | 6 (30.0) | 1 (5.0) | 13 (65.0) |
| 15 | Closes consultation successfully (n = 21) | 5 (23.8) | 5 (23.8) | 11 (52.4) |
| 16 | Provides appropriate safety netting for the patient (n = 19) | 7 (36.8) | 5 (26.4) | 7 (36.8) |
a n differs between skills, as not all skills were relevant in every consultation.