RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 Link between the ability to detect and manage emotional disorders: a study of general practitioner trainees. JF British Journal of General Practice JO Br J Gen Pract FD British Journal of General Practice SP 357 OP 359 VO 41 IS 350 A1 T Millar A1 D P Goldberg YR 1991 UL http://bjgp.org/content/41/350/357.abstract AB Independent ratings were made of videotaped consultations involving six general practice vocational trainees, of whom three were poor identifiers and three were able identifiers of emotional illness. Taped consultations were selected so that each trainee was rated interviewing five patients with low general health questionnaire scores, and five patients with high scores. It was found that able identifiers of emotional illness were more likely than poor identifiers to offer patients information, advice and treatment relevant to their illness, and that they did so in a manner likely to maximize patient satisfaction and cooperation. This was true for both distressed and non-distressed patients. It is argued that both the ability to identify emotional disturbances and the ability to manage emotional illness are characteristics of a generally superior interview style. This may reflect a common variable: the possession of good communication skills.