ANALYSIS OF THE FAMILY PLANNING CONSULTATION – PATIENT’S AGENDA (DEVELOPMENT)
Although the doctor and the patient had developed rapport early on in their relationship, a much deeper trust had developed over the years. Nevertheless, Janice could not launch straight into her fundamental agenda item. She brought with her an ‘entry-ticket’ to the consulting room (requests for lancets) and then proceeded to introduce the hidden agenda with a general question about another problem which she clearly realized was only secondary to the main item. This case illustrates that success often occurs after a series of contacts which make up the overall consultation.
What about looking at the notes? It is conventional good practice for doctors to try to be well-briefed about the patient sitting before them. Could perhaps this process prevent one from seeing this person with a fresh eye and encourage one to prejudge the person’s character, or focus in on previous events which are not on the patient’s agenda that particular day? It is tempting to make assumptions about the patient’s agenda particularly at a follow-up consultation brought about at the doctor’s request.
*342/197/1*
