Insight into individuals

Abstract

This issue highlights the importance of the dialogue between practice nurse and patient. A number of writers consider ways to convince patients to do the things it is thought will improve their quality of life. Jeannett Martin, reporting from last month's national practice nurse conference in Sheffield, explains the ‘science of compliance’ (page 380). Vicky Padbury looks at the revised messages which are intended to help women understand how to use the contraceptive pill correctly (page 386). And, in the first article in a new series on the consultation, Adrienne Willcox and Eileen Munson review ways to approach discussions with patients in an age in which trust is no longer automatic (page 409).