Close attention to communication skills brings objective evidence of a host of benefits. Used flexibly and sensitively they will enhance the performance of technical medicine and perform an invaluable role in humanising it. They are not a panacea for effective consulting and cannot replace the imperatives of sound ethical practice, well-grounded professional values and core attitudinal qualities.

• Less physician dominance
• Greater willingness to listen to and understand the patient’s perspective
• More recognition of the patient’s specific agenda
• Greater recognition of psychosocial issues
• An appreciation of the importance of context and culture
• Recognition of the importance of underlying emotional issues
• More sharing of decision making
• More negotiation of difficult and contentious areas (finding common ground)
• Honesty about limitations and boundaries of modern medicine