THE MEDICATION-RELATED CONSULTATION FRAMEWORK (MRCF)
- A reflective tool to support the development of consultation skills for pharmacy practitioners
Practitioner’s name: ………………………………………………….................................................................................…….………
Name of reviewer (if applicable e.g. peer or mentor): ...................................................................................................
Date of consultation with patient: ……………………... Date of review / self-assessment completed: ..............................
HOW WELL DID YOU UNDERTAKE THE FOLLOWING ACTIVITIES WHEN CONSULTING WITH THE PATIENT?
(A) INTRODUCTION – Was I fully able to build a Yes / No Comments / reflections
therapeutic relationship with the patient?
Did I…?
1 Introduce myself
2 Confirm patient’s identity
3 Discuss purpose and structure of the
consultation
4 Invite patient to discuss medication or
health-related issue
5 Negotiate a shared agenda
Learning needs (i.e. areas for improvement / action points):
(B) DATA COLLECTION & PROBLEM Yes / No Comments / reflections
IDENTIFICATION – Was I fully able to
identify the patient’s pharmaceutical
needs? Did I…?
1 Document a full medication history
2 Assess the patient understands the
rationale for prescribed treatment
3 Elicit patient’s (lay) understanding of
his/her illness
4 Elicit concerns about treatment
5 Explore social history
6 Ask how often patient misses dose(s) of
treatment (i.e. assess patient adherence)
7 Establish reasons for missed dose(s), if
any (i.e. intentional or unintentional non-
adherence)
8 Identify and prioritise patient’s
pharmaceutical problems (summarising)
Learning needs (i.e. areas for improvement / action points):
(C) ACTIONS & SOLUTIONS – Was I fully able Yes / No Comments / reflections
to establish an acceptable management
plan with the patient?
Did I…?
1 Relate information to patient’s illness &
treatment beliefs (risk-benefit discussion)
2 Involve patient in designing a
management plan
3 Give advice on how & when to take
medication, length of treatment &
negotiates follow up
4 Check patient’s ability to follow plan (are
there any problems?)
5 Check patient understanding
6 Refer appropriately to other healthcare
professional(s)
Learning needs (i.e. areas for improvement / action points):
(D) CLOSURE – Was I fully able to negotiate Yes / No Comments / reflections
safety netting strategies with the patient?
Did I…?
1 Explain what to do if patient has difficulties
to follow plan and whom to contact
2 Provide a further appointment or contact
point
3 Offer opportunity to ask further questions
Learning needs (i.e. areas for improvement / action points):
(E) CONSULTATION BEHAVIOURS – Did I fully Yes / No Comments / reflections
demonstrate the following consultation
behaviours?
1 Listen actively & allow the patient to
complete statements
2 Use open & closed questions
appropriately
3 Demonstrate empathy & support the
patient
4 Avoid or explain jargon
5 Accept the patient (i.e. show respect, not
judgemental or patronising)
6 Adopt a structured & logical approach to
the consultation
7 Summarise information at appropriate
time points
8 Manage my time effectively (work well
within the time available)
9 Keep the interview “on track” or regain
“control” when necessary
Learning needs (i.e. areas for improvement / action points):
OVERALL IMPRESSION
Overall, my ability to consult with the patient meant that their pharmaceutical needs were:
Not addressed Partially addressed Mostly addressed Fully addressed
Main strengths:
Main areas of weakness / further improvement:
Now prioritise your key learning needs and design an action plan for further development of specific consultation
skills. Please describe WHAT you need to develop further and HOW you plan to achieve this.
Learning need identified Action plan Timescale
1).
2).
3).
4).
CPD Plan & Record
Once you have completed the learning associated with the above, don’t forget to transfer each of these into a CPD record. This
serves as an excellent example of CPD starting at ‘Reflection’.
Patient Feedback
You may also wish to obtain further feedback from the patient and use this to inform the development of your consultation skills
and to further inform your CPD.
Abdel Tawab R, James DH, Fichtinger A, Clatworthy J, Horne R, Davies G (2011). Development And Validation of the Medication-Related
Consultation Framework (MRCF) Patient Education & Counseling 83 (3): 451-7.
