End Summary and Final Checking

Much like the internal summary during the Information Gathering phase of the interview, the end summary acts as a checkpoint for both you and the patient

An End Summary…

1. Summarizes session briefly and clarifies plan of care
2. Allows you and your patient to confirm the plan of care
3. Facilitates questions, additions, and clarifications from your patient
4. Aids in accuracy and mutual understanding

‘So just so we’re on the same page, I think your headaches sound like migraines since they’re lasting between 4-72 hours, pulsating, unilateral, have associated nausea, and are quite debilitating. I’m comfortable that this isn’t a life-threatening cause of headache. I’ve given you some instructions on headache hygiene and lifestyle changes you can try. I’ve also given you some headache medication to take. Let’s follow-up in two weeks and see how you’re doing. Does that sound okay?’

 

‘That sound’s great, but I’m away on vacation for about a week, can we do before or after that?’

 Final Checking

• Check that your patient agrees with and is comfortable with plan
• Ask if any corrections, questions, or other issues

Exercise: You’re a family doctor seeing a patient with multiple complaints. The consultation is reaching the 30min mark and you are getting behind schedule. You have enough information to properly manage the patient, have explained the management plan to them, and would like to begin closing the session. Your patient is long-winded and tangential, constantly returning back to his stated complaints. Roleplay, or practice out loud how you might transition towards closing the session while remaining empathic and cognizant of your patient’s concerns.

Silverman, J., Kurtz, S., & Draper, J. (2013). Skills for Communicating with Patients (Thrid Edit). London: Radcliffe Publishing.