Resources

In this alternative opening section of the simulated consultation, notice how the carer was not well integrated. Pay particular attention to the body language demonstrated. 

Sadie opens by inviting Sarah to describe how tingling in her feet and legs, and increasing fatigue, are affecting her daily life. As Sarah reflects on her fear of losing her independence, Emily, her carer, also begins to share her own concerns. The consultation moves from information gathering toward collaborative action planning, with the clinician working to balance Sarah's autonomy against her safety in partnership with both women.

Sadie seeks Sarah's consent before turning their attention to Emily. The scene demonstrates how to create space for a carer's own experience within a consultation – exploring Emily's wellbeing, validating the challenges of her role, responding to cues about financial strain, and connecting her with appropriate carer support services. The clinician reframes carer wellbeing as integral to the patient's own care.

Sadie explains the risk of neutropenia as a consequence of chemotherapy, delivering safety netting information to Sarah and Emily. Warning signs are introduced using chunking and checking, with Emily actively included in the monitoring plan. The clinician offers a written list to support recall, shares the reasoning behind the safety plan, and closes by confirming shared understanding. The scene shows how safety netting can be delivered as a collaborative, carer-inclusive process rather than a one-way information transfer. If there is one skill that could improve this interaction, it would be the explicit use of ‘teach-back’ at the end.

In this interview with Dr Sadie Dunn, the deputy director of palliative care at Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre and an experienced educator, about integrating carers into clinical consultations.

This interview covers the rationale for integrating carers and the importance of early rapport-building.

This interview focuses on the challenges and opportunities of working with multiple carers and family members, strategies for protecting the patient's voice, managing family meetings, and navigating different information needs.

This interview explores practical strategies for carer inclusion, balancing patient voice with carer involvement, and managing time and sensitive conversations.

This expert interview focuses on gathering information from patients and carers in cancer consultations. The clinician discusses what to listen for beyond medical details, three practical strategies for bringing the carer's voice into information gathering, and how to help carers open up when they are trying to protect their loved one.

This is a condensed chapter from the full interview with Dr Sadie Dunn on integrating carers into clinical consultations. It focuses on practical strategies for helping patients and carers recall information, managing emotion in consultations, the carer's role in aiding recall, and effective safety netting. 

This is the closing chapter from the full interview with Dr Sadie Dunn on integrating carers into clinical consultations. Drawing on her years of experience, Dr Dunn reflects on what keeps consultations truly person-centred, how to balance efficiency with connection, the value of carers as partners, and what she would change tomorrow.