Have you noticed, either as a doctor or as a patient, how some consultations appear to just run smoothly, and others just do not flow? This book aims to help you identify the factors that govern this: how to identify the difference that makes the difference. This is in the hope that by gaining these insights the practice of consulting, the cornerstone of the practice of medicine, can be increasingly elegant, enjoyable and effective for all concerned. These are essential communication skills, with applicability well beyond just the particular context of the GP consultation.