A is for aphorism - the power of silence.

Journal article

'All you have to do is listen' is the title of Rob Kapilow's delightful book on classical music; but he could equally have been talking about general practice consultations. Listening requires several skills including attention, echoing and body language, but begins with silence. Well timed silences, used judiciously, can allow the patient adequate space to express symptoms and concerns, while allowing the general practitioner more time for attention, comprehension and synthesis.

Authors: Kreijkamp-Kaspers, S; Glasziou, P

• Journal: Australian family physician
• Volume: 41
• Issue: 11
• Pages: 909
• Publication date: 2012-11-01
• ISSN: 0300-8495
• Language: English
• Keywords: General Practice; Communication; Humans; Aphorisms and Proverbs as Topic; Physician-Patient Relations