Abstract
Key points
The spectrum of disease seen by health services has changed over time, but in many cases the mode of consultation has remained the same.
Patients can be encouraged to attend either by making consultations more convenient or by using reminders.
Preparation and follow-up are vital aspects of a successful consultation.
Patients who are helped to understand their treatment may be more compliant.
Educational aims
To increase awareness of the need for specialist consultation clinics to be configured in a manner that is convenient for patients with long-term respiratory conditions.
To encourage clinicians to consider the problems associated with non-attendance of patients in specialist clinics.
To provide clinicians with the necessary knowledge to improve patient satisfaction with specialist outpatient consultations.
Summary Consultations with those with respiratory disease increasingly involve those with longterm conditions. Such conditions merit greater attention being paid to the selection of simple treatment regimens, self-management education, enhancing compliance and good communication. The design and running of a respiratory consultation service can be enhanced by addressing the best use of the time before the consultation, the consultation itself and methods for reinforcing messages during follow-up.
- ©ERS 2007
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