Sage & Thyme: On a scale of 1-10 Rate your Communication Skills

Creating a setting in which your patients can speak openly about their concerns

Initiating a discussion with a patient about their concerns

Asking a patient directly about how they are feeling

Avoiding being distracted by the first concern.

Repeating to the patient what their concerns are (reflection)

Listening and responding in a way that encourages the patient to disclose other feelings and concerns they may have (screening).

Creating a list of concerns (if there are more than three)

Summarising the concerns, you have discussed to check that you fully understand them

Using empathic, supportive comments but no sympathy.

Asking the patient what support structures they have and whether these are useful