Professor John Wass
Radcliffe Infirmary, Oxford

This workshop proved interesting and informative for patients who wanted to get the most out of their consultations. Professor Wass said all doctors had a duty to their patients to allocate enough time in clinic for appointments, to provide empathy and eye contact, and to arrange for the same doctor to be available for successive consultations where possible. He felt that it was important to explain things to patients, and to say if he was uncertain of what was wrong, or if things were difficult. Providing an outlook for the next 2, 5 or 10 years was also helpful.

Patients can assist in consultations, and pave the way to good relationships with doctors. Before you visit, think carefully about things you want to discuss: make a list to help you, and prioritise the items that are most important. Ask for any information that you have not been given, or if you need further explanation in answer to questions. Take notes of what is said; ask if you don't understand. If you are dissatisfied at the consultation, or have further questions, you can write to the doctor concerned with your queries. Furthermore, you can telephone the doctor's secretary to discuss matters, if you feel this is necessary. Under the Patients' Charter, you can seek a second opinion, via your GP, if you are not happy with the treatment you are receiving, and feel you have explored all avenues of discussion with the doctor concerned.

Professor Wass suggested that endocrine care would ideally be located in fewer centres, with more specialised training for doctors. Obviously some centres have more experience than others in pituitary conditions. St Bartholomew's Hospital in London has a communication skills course for medics, which assists greatly in doctors learning 'people communication skills'. Some patients are anxious about seeing a more junior doctor in place of a consultant. Professor Wass stressed that he would only allow a junior doctor to see patients after he had thoroughly observed their medical and communication skills (what patients would term 'bedside manner'). It is an equal relationship, don't forget that although the doctor is a specialist in his own field, so equally are you in yours.

The workshop was extremely helpful, and showed that doctors are human, like the rest of us - a point we often forget.