1. Ideas, concerns and expectations 2. How doctors talk to patients and why 3. Different types of patient 4. Patient encounter outcomes 5. How you feel is as important as what you know 6. What you need to achieve in a patient encounter or consultation 7. Ways of looking at your own communication 8.

Attitude - the magic move? 9. Special situations and patients 10. Wider communication and ethical issues 11. The essence of good doctoring: A personal interlude 12. Communication as a competence? 13. Special situations and patients 14. Summary.