Date of Report: 03/2003
Source: Pacific 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 |  | | taking into account the referring clinician's characteristics | | | determining the urgency of the request | | | ascertaining additional pertinent information | | | communicating concise and specific recommendations | |
Principles and Attitudes (non-observable skills) recommended for successful consultation include: | mutual respect and co-operation | | | clarifying referring clinician and consultant's respective roles in patient care | | | medical education without condescension | |
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. | 
