This text investigates the core question of how medical practitioners can optimize the consultation process to improve patient outcomes while simultaneously developing effective teaching methods for clinical skills. David Pendleton and his colleagues draw upon extensive experience in general practice and behavioral science to present a structured framework for evaluating the efficacy of doctor-patient interactions. The book argues that consultation is a learnable skill set that requires both technical proficiency and an understanding of the psychological dynamics inherent in medical encounters.

Medical educators and practitioners frequently cite this work as a foundational text for understanding the mechanics of the clinical encounter. Readers often note the practical utility of the provided guidelines for both clinical practice and the supervision of medical students.