coMMunicAtion
miscommunication, be done to prevent would expect. if a patient up on, and make an issue
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apathy, no communication. similar issues arising objects to the disclosure, of, poor communication.
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■ precipitating factors ■ adopt those lessons into you should explain that a well-organised locum
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iatrogenic injury, failure otherwise arrange for their laminated profiles of its
to provide adequate communicating treatment without also members that reassure and
care, mistakes, incorrect with colleagues disclosing that information. inform patients about the
care, systems errors.
4
in today’s team-driven Working as a locum gp, gp they’re about to see,
according to Bunting, environment communication your colleagues should as well as working with the
precipitating factors are has to extend to a greater provide all the relevant details practices to apply consistent
unlikely to lead to litigation in number of people, so there of the patients for whom you communications systems
the absence of predisposing are more opportunities for are responsible. practices between its locum gp
factors; yet the media tends it to fail. communication should have in place members and practices.
to report on the former rather between primary, secondary, protocols for the transfer of Be very stringent about
than predisposing factors. voluntary and social relevant information between documenting any advice
so good communication care should be viewed doctors. However, many do given and record all of the
could save your professional not as a chain but as not cater for the nuances patient’s concerns. listen
skin; patients who feel a communication net, of working as a locum, so and respond accordingly;
informed about their where all members can locums should have in place body language is key to
condition and are involved contact each other. this their own systems to ensure effective communication
in deciding the appropriate requires all members to adequate clinical handover. – being comfortable in an
treatment are more likely be aware of who is doing unfamiliar setting can be
to comply with it and what and understand the overcoming hurdles challenging for a sessional
less likely to complain part they play. this will locum gps, unlike their gp, but don’t shy away from
when things go wrong. inevitably involve sharing permanent colleagues, moving a computer if it is
However, should you patient information, which face the unique challenge creating a situation where
receive a complaint, it is is entirely appropriate as that they often only get one you are facing away from
important to talk to an long as continuity of care chance to make a good first the patient and remove
experienced colleague is balanced with the need impression. patients will be books that could act as a
or your medical defence to maintain confidentiality. unfamiliar with a new gp’s barrier. Be aware of all these
organisation, and it is in its new confidentiality mannerisms and may be things and communication
vital to try to retain your guidance, the gMc used to a particular gp, so will no longer be a barrier
professionalism. this is says that most people they will be more likely to pick to effective patient care.
particularly pertinent for understand and accept that
sessional gps, so make sure information must be shared
that through the practice you: within the healthcare team 1. ipsos Mori, Health professional Qualifications poll (november 2005)
■ acknowledge the in order to provide their
– www.ipsos-mori.com/researchpublications
complaint care.
5
But it is not always
2. gMc, Good Medical Practice (2006)
■ find out the facts clear how that information
3. Beckman, HB, the effect of physician behaviour on the collection of
■ provide an explanation will be used. so patients
data, Ann Intern Med (1984)
4. Bunting, r, et al, practical risk management principles for physicians,
■ apologise where should be informed about
Journal of Healthcare Risk Management (1998)
appropriate disclosures for purposes
5. gMc, Confidentiality (2009) pars 25-29
■ identify what can other than what they
sessional gp | voluMe 1 | 2009 www.mps.org.uk 7
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