Yesterday I was a foundation year 1 doctor in cardiology, today I am a foundation year 2 doctor in general practice. I have my own office, computer, chlamydia screening kits, and even a secretary. I also, however, have my own patients. The problem here is that they arrive expecting to see a confident and experienced general practitioner. Unfortunately, I am neither. Luckily my tutor, who is both, is on hand to help during my consulting sessions, and also offers a weekly tutorial.

This week the tutorial was on consultation skills, and in particular how a doctor should elicit a patient’s ideas, concerns, and expectations during a consultation. After the tutorial, …