title: Surviving the 'heartsink' experience.
abstract: The authors describe a pilot workshop designed to help doctors achieve a greater understanding of and ability to cope with their 'heartsink' patients. Participants were asked to list their personal objectives in attending and a number of cases were discussed in the group. A 'heartsink survival kit' was provided which consisted of skills and strategies which are useful in difficult consultations and an approach to reassessing the goals of the relationship which might promote a more realistic understanding. The workshop was videotaped and two scenarios are presented. The implications for further training are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Department of General Practice, Medical School, University of Sheffield, UK.
authors.forename: N J
authors.initials: NJ
authors.lastname: Mathers
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Gask
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000786:Anger; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D004502:Education, Medical, Continuing; D006801:Humans; D008257:Machiavellianism; D008960:Models, Psychological; D010817:Physician-Patient Relations; D010821:Physicians, Family / Q000193:education* / Q000523:psychology*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011209:Power, Psychological; D012017:Referral and Consultation; D016312:Treatment Refusal