Family systems ideas in the 10-minute consultation: using a reflecting partner or observing team in a surgery.
BACKGROUND
Family therapy and the ideas that underlie it have not had much impact on general practice, although there is good reason to think this could be a useful approach.


OBJECTIVE
As a group of general practitioners (and a practice nurse) with experience of family therapy, we were interested in demonstrating whether family therapy methods could usefully inform general practice consultations.


METHODS
Two surgeries were observed by the general practitioner's colleagues.


RESULTS
Selected cases are discussed to illustrate the impact of the use of family therapy ideas and a reflecting colleague or team.


CONCLUSIONS
Family therapy ideas can be a helpful framework within which to think about both demanding and ordinary consultations. Inviting a colleague to contribute respectfully could be useful both as a method of teaching, and in resolving difficult or faltering consultations.
Mayer
R
R
Highgate Group Practice, London.
Graham
H
H
Schuberth
C
C
Launer
J
J
Tomson
D
D
Czauderna
J
J
D004739:England; D005194:Family Practice / Q000379:methods*; D005196:Family Therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010348:Patient Care Team; D011369:Professional-Patient Relations