Identifying stressful emotional and mental disorders and conflicts using a psychosocial anamnesis

Promoting a helping alliance among the doctor, patient , and family members; this skill also includes identifying possible barriers on the part of the doctor, patient, or family and stressing the core skills of empathy and sensitivity

Improving the patient’s problem-solving skills, including providing information about self-help groups, supporting the management of adverse life events (e.g., severe illness, loss, separation, or divorce) and avoiding unnecessary medication, diagnostic procedures, and surgery