ANALYSIS OF THE FAMILY PLANNING CONSULTATION – SUMMARIZING
This is a short but important phase of the consultation which only Neighbour (1987) has separated out. The doctor summarizes in the patient’s language what has been heard. This gives the patient an opportunity to check that the doctor has fully understood the problem and has taken into account her ideas, concerns, expectations and feelings. The patient has her own ideas about the nature of the problem, its causes, its importance and its possible outcomes. Likewise, the patient may have concerns, for instance that the Pill may cause some damage to her body. Or she may have expectations about the management of problems, such as that the doctor will refer her to a gynaecologist on account of breakthrough bleeding.
Summarizing provides direct feedback to the patient. If accepted, the consultation moves on. If not, the patient explains what it is that she feels the doctor has misinterpreted and then the doctor tries again.
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