S44 Workshops /Symposia / Patient Education and Counseling 34 (1998) S43 –S55

patients who acted scenarios derived from the workshop Stewart will present the empirical evidence that supportsthe practice of patient-centred medicine. Dr. Stewart’sagenda items, role-play in which participants played theirpresentation will include an examination of both quan-own difficult patients in small groups of four or five,titative and qualitative studies that indicate a strongdiscussion of case scenarios of difficult problems andrelationship between patient-centred care and patientfacilitator-led discussions groups. Topics selected assatisfaction, patient outcomes, and doctor satisfaction.being of ‘‘strong interest’’ to participants included ‘‘deal-The evidence provided by Dr. Stewart will serve as aing with angry patients’’ (73%), ‘‘breaking bad news’’compelling reason to further our endeavours in the(67%) and discussing patients wishes for resuscitationpractice, teaching and research of the patient-centred(60%). Questionnaire evaluation showed that across allclinical method.workshops participants demonstrated good knowledge of

positive communication behaviors prior to workshopA Description of the Patient-Centred Clinical Methodparticipation but nonetheless were able to demonstrate

statistically significant increases in self-confidence re-Judith Belle Brown, Ph.D.Dr. Judith Belle Brown, whogarding the successful use of these communications inhas been active in disseminating the patient-centredclinical practice. Level of satisfaction with the workshopclinical method at the undergraduate, post-graduate andwere high although participants made a number of usefulfaculty levels, will describe the six interactive com-suggestions to improve content and format.ponents of the patient-centred clinical method. The 6components include: (1) exploring both the disease and2 symposium the illness experience; (2) understanding the whole

PATIENT-CENTRED MEDICINE: TRANSFORM- person; (3) finding common ground; (4) incorporatingING THE CLINICAL METHOD prevention and health promotion; (5) enhancing the

patient-doctor relationship; and (6) being realistic. Dr.Dr. Judith Belle Brown. Thames Valley Family PracticeBrown’s presentation will include case examples and aResearch Unit. 100 Collip Circle, Suite 245, U.W.O.videotape demonstration of the patient-centred clinicalResearch Park, London, Ontario, Canada N6G 4X8method.

This symposium will describe the Patient-Centred Clini-Innovations in Teaching the Patient-Centred Clinicalcal Method, a revised model for family medicine prac-Methodtice. This method integrates the conventional biomedical

approach with an under- standing of the patient’s uniqueRonald Epstein, M.D.experience of illness and contributing contextual factors

(ie. family and community).Dr. Ronald Epstein has extensive experience in teachingThe primary goal of the symposium is to providethe Patient-Centred Clinical Method at all levels ofparticipants with a thorough and detailed overview of theeducation. Teaching the patient-centred method requiresPatient-Centred Clinical Method and will include appli-specific strategies and innovative techniques as we movecations to clinical practice and innovative teachingfrom the traditional forms of medical education. Whilestrategies. This symposium includes four presentations.many of the teaching strategies examined will not be newto the participants, the specific application of the Patient-The History of the Patient-Centred Clinical MethodCentred Clinical Method will present new challenges and

Thomas Freeman, M.D. introduce innovative applications to the participants’teaching repertoire. Dr. Epstein will examine the teaching

Dr. Thomas Freeman, a clinician, educator, researcher in challenges relevant to undergraduate, post-graduate, fa-family medicine for over 20 years, will trace the histori- culty development and continuing medical education.cal roots of patient-centred medicine. In his presentationDr. Freeman will describe the contributions of numerous 3 symposiumwriters and theorists to the evolution of the patient-

INTERACTIONAL FORMS OF INFORMING,centred clinical method. Dr. Freeman will highlight theCOUNSELLING AND EDUCATING PATIENTSneed and moral imperative for the patient-centred model

of care in the current practice climate. 1 2 1Hanneke Houtkoop-Steenstra , Tony Hak , University ofUtrecht, Trans 10, 3512 JK Utrecht, The NetherlandsThe Evidence Supporting the Patient-Centred Clinical2Department of primary Care, University of Liverpool,MethodWhelan Building, Brownlow Hill, Liverpool L69 3GB,

Moira Stewart, Ph.D. UK

With over 20 years of experience in researching com- Talk by providers of health care to patients can havemunication between patients and doctors, Dr. Moira many very different functions. It can be the delivery of a