Dear All

Thank you for participating in the session today.

In RRR – suggested by Dr P & Dr M – we discussed:

• GERD – 9 month old with failure to thrive.
• Microcephaly with Developmental delay in 9 months old
• Chemotherapy – complications

The Communication scenario was of a 11 month old admitted following a convulsion with suspected diagnosis of meningitis. Task was to speak with parent – explain and ask for permission for Lumber Puncture. Dr A was an excellent Role Player who was consistent with all three ‘trainees’. Dr M was in the hotseat followed by Dr P followed by AG.

The Learning points are:

• Rapport is important – Respond to RP’s concern.
• ‘Is he (child) well?” Till you address the point – RP will keep coming back.
• ‘He is stable at present. He needs urgent treatment and should be well following treatment’. Do NOT give wrong reassurance or information.
• Specific anatomy – meningitis is infection of ‘covering of the brain’ NOT infection of Brain or fluid round the spine.
• Not agreeing for a test in NOT an ‘offence’.
• Not agreeing for treatment – if essential – is an offence and can trigger Safeguarding.
• Give downsides of RP’s choice – long treatment with unnecessary drugs.
• ‘We are both on the same side – want the best for the child’.

Please visit www.mrcpchonline.org to add your comments or points I may have missed.

Anil Garg