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Date of Report: 03/2003
Source: Pacific AETC, East Bay AETC
Author: Cynthia Carmichael, MD
Description: From The 4th Level, the Pacific AETC newsletter for clinical consultants.
A recent article out of France attempted to delineate the skills necessary on the part of the consultant to produce a successful consultation. A review of the literature, and a series of focus groups found that consultant skills could be divided into Observable Skills and Principles and Attitudes (non-observable skills).
According to the article, observable skills needed by successful consultants should include:
 | identifying the reason for the consultation |
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| taking into account the referring clinician's characteristics |
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| determining the urgency of the request |
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| ascertaining additional pertinent information |
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| communicating concise and specific recommendations |
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Principles and Attitudes (non-observable skills) recommended for successful consultation include:
| mutual respect and co-operation |
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| clarifying referring clinician and consultant's respective roles in patient care |
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| medical education without condescension |
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The article concludes by acknowledging that limited attention is given to teaching consultation skills in medical education. Further questions to explore and recommendations for consultation skill-building are discussed in the article.
Sibert L, Lachkar A, Grise P, et. al. Communication between Consultants and Referring Physicians: A Qualitative Study to Define Learning and Assessment Objectives in a Specialty Residency Program. Teaching and Learning in Medicine, 14(1)15-19.
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