Dealing with difficult consultations

摘要

With over half of GPs recently reporting their morale levels as either 'low' or 'very low' in a recent British Medical Association survey, it is essential to consider how we can build and maintain resilience.The GP workforce crisis is clearly a multifaceted problem; however, reflecting upon what might affect job satisfaction is an important part of its solution.When Tom O' Dowd coined the term 'heartsink' in 1988, it was to describe consultations that evoked unpleasant feelings in doctors.It was not to label particular patients.This article aims to examine what GPs commonly find difficult and provide a framework for managing such cases.