Lesson 2.2 — Chunks, Checks and Conversation
An explanation can be medically perfect and still score poorly in RTO if it becomes a lecture. RCGP describes effective sharing as interactive, paced for the patient and adapted to information already gathered.
Give one useful piece of information. Pause. Check the patient’s reaction or understanding. Respond to what comes back. Then continue.
Checks That Sound Natural
- “How does that fit with what you were expecting?”
- “What questions does that bring up for you?”
- “I’ve given you quite a bit there — what would be useful for me to go over again?”
- “How are you feeling about that option so far?”
Checking understanding after every sentence can itself sound formulaic. Use it selectively when information is complex, important or emotionally loaded.