Enable

This is the final stage of the consultation with the patient and includes methods of closing the conversation. Initially, it is helpful to ask patients to think about the reality of medicine-taking as part of their usual routine. For example:

• "How do you think this new medicine will fit into your day/existing routine?”

If they don’t have a routine or suggestion, you can offer them ideas by saying, for example:

• "Some people have found that by linking medicines-taking to a daily activity, it helps them to remember to take the medication. For example, setting a reminder on their phone or asking someone they live with to remind them the first few times to take the medicine. What do you think about any of these?"

You will notice that all suggestions end with a question. This is because offering options (three is a good number) is helpful and the follow-up question ensures the patient can still choose what they want to do.

The Enable stage includes plans for next steps and follow-up, safety netting (what to do if things don’t go to plan), communication with others and documentation.

Once the patient has decided what they want to do, ask them:

• "What do you need to do to achieve what you want from this medicine?" (Their goal, not yours)
• "How will you remember to take this medicine? For example, where will you keep it and what will you do to remember to take it?"
• "When will you be able to start this medicine?" (Ask them to give a day/time)
• "How will you help yourself to remember to take this medicine?"
• "How will you know if the medicine is working?" (Include information here about follow-up, communication with healthcare professionals and safety netting).

It is really important to get people to verbalise their actions and commit to an action plan. They will also need to think about the reality of taking the medicine, monitoring for effectiveness (if symptomatic control) as well as checking how well their treatment plan is working.