Communication and Documentation Flashcards
7 cards from real FRACGP practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Communication and Documentation flashcards as text
A GP writes a referral letter to a specialist. Which element is MOST important to include to ensure continuity of care?
Answer: A concise summary of relevant history, current medications, and the specific clinical question
Referral letters must include relevant clinical history, medications, and a clear clinical question to enable effective specialist consultation.
During a consultation, a patient with limited English relies on their adult child as an interpreter. What is the BEST approach?
Answer: Use a professional interpreter service, noting that family members may filter or distort information
Professional interpreters maintain accuracy and confidentiality, whereas family interpreters may omit sensitive details or add their own interpretation.
Which of the following BEST describes 'active listening' in a GP consultation?
Answer: Reflecting content and emotion, using open questions, and summarising to check understanding
Active listening combines reflection, open questioning, and summarising to demonstrate understanding and encourage the patient's narrative.
A GP discovers a significant error in a previous consultation note written by a colleague. What is the appropriate documentation action?
Answer: Add an addendum with the date, time, and corrected information, leaving the original entry intact
Medico-legal standards require original entries to remain intact; corrections should be documented as dated addenda.
When breaking bad news to a patient, the SPIKES protocol is commonly used. What does the 'P' in SPIKES stand for?
Answer: Perception
In SPIKES, 'P' stands for Perception — assessing what the patient already knows or understands before delivering new information.
A patient sends an email requesting a prescription renewal. Which response BEST adheres to safe prescribing and communication standards?
Answer: Advise the patient to attend or arrange a telehealth consultation to assess clinical appropriateness before prescribing
Safe prescribing requires clinical assessment; prescribing via email without consultation compromises safety and regulatory standards.
Which of the following is an example of a 'teach-back' communication technique?
Answer: Asking the patient to explain back in their own words what they have understood
Teach-back confirms patient comprehension by asking them to restate instructions in their own words, identifying and correcting misunderstandings.