Philosophy, understanding and the consultation: a fusion of horizons

摘要

Early models of the consultation were ‘disease’ centred with little consideration of the patients perspective. Later models advised we should gain the ‘patients understanding’ or better ‘shared understanding’ as used by Pendleton, Schofield, Tate, and Havelock.1 The profession is now developing the idea of patient-centred medicine; it is gaining popularity but still practised infrequently even when looked for in the MRCGP video examination.2 For the consultation process to be successful the patient needs to feel heard and understood. Philosophical thought can offer ideas to describe this task of understanding.