Abstract
Objective
To describe the teaching and delivery of an extended consultation model designed for clinicians to use with patients with persistent physical symptoms and functional disorders. The model is underpinned by current scientific knowledge about persistent physical symptoms and the communication problems that arise in dealing with them.
Methods
Process evaluation of training and delivery of the Recognition, Explanation, Action, Learning (REAL) model within the Multiple Symptoms Study 3: a randomised controlled
trial of an extended-role GP “Symptoms Clinic”. Evaluation used clinician and patient
interviews and consultation transcripts
Results
7 GPs were trained in the intervention and 6 of them went on to deliver the REAL
model in Symptoms Clinics either face-to-face or online. The Symptoms Clinic provided
a set of 4 extended consultations to approximately 170 patients. Evaluation of training
indicated that there was a considerable load in terms of new knowledge and skills.
Evaluation of delivery found clinicians could adapt the model to individual patients
while maintaining a high level of fidelity to its core components.
Conclusion
REAL is a teachable consultation model addressing specific clinical communication
issues for people with persistent physical symptoms.
Practice Implications
REAL enables clinicians to explain persistent physical symptoms in a beneficial way
To describe the teaching and delivery of an extended consultation model designed for clinicians to use with patients with persistent physical symptoms and functional disorders. The model is underpinned by current scientific knowledge about persistent physical symptoms and the communication problems that arise in dealing with them.
Methods
Process evaluation of training and delivery of the Recognition, Explanation, Action, Learning (REAL) model within the Multiple Symptoms Study 3: a randomised controlled
trial of an extended-role GP “Symptoms Clinic”. Evaluation used clinician and patient
interviews and consultation transcripts
Results
7 GPs were trained in the intervention and 6 of them went on to deliver the REAL
model in Symptoms Clinics either face-to-face or online. The Symptoms Clinic provided
a set of 4 extended consultations to approximately 170 patients. Evaluation of training
indicated that there was a considerable load in terms of new knowledge and skills.
Evaluation of delivery found clinicians could adapt the model to individual patients
while maintaining a high level of fidelity to its core components.
Conclusion
REAL is a teachable consultation model addressing specific clinical communication
issues for people with persistent physical symptoms.
Practice Implications
REAL enables clinicians to explain persistent physical symptoms in a beneficial way
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Article number | 107870 |
| Journal | Patient Education and Counseling |
| Volume | 115 |
| Early online date | 29 Jun 2023 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 1 Oct 2023 |
Keywords
- Consultation
- Explanation
- Functional disorders
- Medically unexplained symptoms
- Persistent physical symptoms
- Physician-patient communication