As a pharmacy professional you play a key role in supporting people to manage their own health. Every time you speak with a patient or customer you have the opportunity to make a difference. Whether you are a hospital pharmacist discussing treatment at the patient’s bedside, a community pharmacist conducting a medicines use review or a pharmacy technician leading a smoking cessation service, patient consultations are likely to be a core part of your role. With the time constraints of pharmacy today you may find it a challenge to satisfy both your own and the patient’s agenda within the consultation.