[The best way to learn consultation skills is through tutoring in clinical situations. Experiences from a course in Gothenburg].

In 1993, a ten-week course called 'Consultation knowledge' started in undergraduate medical education in Göteborg. At the beginning of clinical clerkships students learn communication skills, clinical examination skills and documentation in a clinical context. Tutors were educated and supervised and also participated in the practical examination. Feedback from students was obtained from written evaluations and analysed. Reports from teachers' follow-up meetings were also used. Feedback data functioned as an instrument in evaluation and for development of the course. Learning objectives and core content were made clear by refining the examination and by structured support to tutors. The advantages of repeated consultation skills training in the clinical curriculum are discussed.