Positive consultations, where both the GP and the patient had a positive impression, were compared with negative consultations, where both the GP and the patient had a negative impression. The consultations were compared with respect to tasks listed by Pendelton et al. in their 'consultation map', constituting satisfying and efficient consultation. The determining points in the positive consultations were that the GP and the patient were in agreement about the reason for the consultation and that the GP asked about the patients' ideas and concerns or health beliefs. In consequence, the GP used more time to achieve a share understanding with the patient and involved the patient in the management. This last point seemed to be the most discriminating between the positive and the negative consultations.