One of the most important parts of healthcare is good communication between clinicians (doctors and nurses) and patients. But let’s be honest, it’s not always easy to get it right.
We all have our preferences for how we’d like to be spoken to. For me, I like someone to listen carefully, respect what I say, and be clear and to the point (without being overly sympathetic). I also want people to look at me and talk clearly, because my hearing isn’t what it used to be.
This is just one example but it shows how different we all are. Healthcare professionals can’t always know exactly what a patient prefers, and that makes communication tricky. When I worked in cancer services, I remember my boss (a Professor), saying he never really quite knew what to say to his patients and to gauge how much information to give them. It was always hard to know what they already understood. Also, because receiving a cancer diagnosis can be emotionally traumatic for people, he didn’t want to make things harder for them.
From my research and clinical practice, I know that clinicians sometimes feel hesitant about how much to tell patients or how to interact in the “right” way. Equally, patients have told us (particularly in cancer services) that they often don’t know what to expect from their appointments. For example, whether they’re “allowed” to ask questions, if they can bring someone with them, or how much information they really want to know.
With the help of patients and doctors, we set out to make things easier. Together, we developed and designed the Consultation Support Tool. This was designed to support both sides of the conversation and help make consultations more effective, supportive, and patient-centred.
The tool is made up of three simple resources:
Your Consultation Booklet – a space for patients to prepare, note questions, and capture important information during their appointment.
A Patient Leaflet – a short, practical overview to help patients know what to expect and how to get the most out of their consultation.
A Clinician Guide – a booklet for doctors and nurses offering tips and strategies to support clearer, more collaborative conversations with patients.
These resources are freely available to download, print, and use. You can access them by clicking on each of the links.
At its heart, the Consultation Support Tool is about creating better conversations. When patients feel prepared and supported, and when clinicians feel confident in how to structure and deliver information, everyone benefits. It reduces stress, builds trust, and helps ensure the right information is shared in the right way.
One important thing I have learned though is this; if people haven’t been given permission by their healthcare professional to use a tool like this, they don’t use it. YOU DON’T NEED ANYONE’S PERMISSION TO USE THIS TOOL. IF IT HELPS YOU – USE IT.
If you’d like to learn more about how to use the tool, please watch this short video.
