THE CENTRAL TENET OF SCOTTISH GOVERNMENT HEALTH POLICY IS THAT THOSE DELIVERING HEALTH AND CARE SHOULD DO SO IN A WAY THAT IS PERSON CENTRED, SAFE AND EFFECTIVE. THE SIMPLE QUESTION ‘WHAT MATTERS TO YOU?’ HAS BECOME A GLOBAL CATCHPHRASE FOR AN APPROACH TO COMMUNICATION THAT IS BASED ON LISTENING TO PATIENTS: TO TRY TO UNDERSTAND THEM, NOT JUST TO BE ABLE TO REPLY TO WHAT THEY SAY. AT THE RECENT PHARMACY MANAGEMENT NATIONAL FORUM FOR SCOTLAND, VETERAN PHARMACY LEADER, DAVID THOMSON, EXAMINED HOW PHARMACISTS IN DIFFERENT SETTINGS CAN EQUIP THEMSELVES TO GET THE BEST OUT OF CONVERSATIONS.
