Basics of professional communication in general practice

Knowledge and skills in the field of professional communication are necessary for the doctor to form a trusting relationship with the patient. The right approach to counseling based on this knowledge is important to ensure quality medical care. The consultation has two main tasks: to find out the essence of the problem that led the patient to the doctor, and to find possible solutions to this problem. At the same time, a combination of openness and structuring of the process is important.

The lecture examines the Calgary-Cambridge model of counseling, its structure and features of each stage. The structure of the consultation in accordance with this model includes five stages – the beginning of the consultation, the collection of information, inspection, explanation and planning, and the completion of the reception. Each stage has certain tasks, starting with establishing contact at the beginning of the consultation, and ending with summing up at the end of the reception.

The principles and conditions of effective counseling include the availability of sufficient time; availability of consultation; respect for the personality of each patient and goodwill; confidentiality; provision of information in a language understandable to the patient; respect for the patient’s ability to make decisions.

Communication with a patient in the conditions of primary health care is a long and multifaceted process, but the result of such communication often depends on the successful conduct of counseling by a doctor.