4. Ending the consultation

Every consultation is different but the following questions may provide a useful framework for closing the discussion:

“Is there anything you’d like me to go through again?”

The information that a patient receives when starting a new medicine can feel overwhelming. Asking this question gives permission for some key information to be repeated, which could make all the difference in terms of compliance with the new medicine.

“Is there anything else you want to know about your medicine?”

The patient may not have any questions at this point, but suggest they make a note of any that occur in the future and pop back.

Resources for patients

• Heart UK: Healthy diet/lifestyle and recipes; What is cholesterol; Questions about statins; Ezetimibe; Bempedoic acid; PCSK9 inhibitors; Inclisiran; Icosapent ethyl
• British Heart Foundation: Understanding cholesterol; How I’ve reduced my cholesterol.