Guideline 7: Including large families

Try to squeeze all family members in the consultation room.

Having many family members in the consultation may be overwhelming for Jessica, as well as uncomfortable for her family who may need to stand. It may be impractical depending on the size of the consultation room

Apologise for the lack of space and ask the patient to pick one family member to join her in the consulation room.

It is reasonable for the patient to want more than one family carer to join her in the consult room, and most consultations rooms could accommodate more than one family member.

Conduct the consultation in the waiting room so that all the family members can be involved.

By conducting the consultation in the waiting room, Jessica's privacy and confidentiality could be compromised.

Apologise for the lack of space, show respect to the family, and ask the patient to nominate a smaller number of family members to join her in the consultation room.

Acknowledging the lack of space, apologising , and affirming the family can make the family feel more accepting of the fact that not all of them will be able to attend the consultation. Asking the patient to nominate that a smaller number of family members join her gives her control as well as being more flexible than asking that only one person accompany her.