OBJECTIVES:

- understand the responsibilities of a doctor in general practice;

- develop skills in patient-centred consultations (including to demonstrate effective interpersonal communication in eliciting information, explaining health matters, negotiating management and counselling regarding health-related behaviours, identifying relevant biopsychosocial problems of patients, demonstrating sound clinical reasoning, outlining rational further investigations, negotiating appropriate management strategies);

- understand planning and evaluation of team care by diverse health care professionals for patients with chronic and complex conditions;

- develop self-directed learning skills in the context of the breadth of presentations experienced in primary care.

Learning will be based primarily on clinical experiences during attachments to general practices. This will be supported by a lecture program and workshops in consulting skills and team care.

Assessment will include satisfactory completion of the generic learning plan, an observed consultation skills role-play and an assignment on team care.