In this issue, Dr Andrea Waylen and fellow authors investigate patient-clinician communication in a pilot study, using the communication assessment tool (CAT) to assess interpersonal and communication skills in dental and medical settings.

The fine line between communication skills as part of specific tasks, such as taking patient history, and the interpersonal skills that form the relational part of a consultation has been of interest to Dr Waylen since coming across the communications assessment test,1 developed in the USA by fellow author Greg Makoul. The use of CAT in the current study incorporates patients' perspective to appropriately assess interpersonal behaviour. Whilst communication skills were rated as 'excellent' in consultations, the findings suggest dental patients would like more opportunities to ask questions and take part in decision making and treatment planning. Suggested differences have also arisen according to clinicians' gender and experience.

Dr Waylen told the BDJ: 'More work needs to be done in these areas as they may inform the way that we teach communication and interpersonal skills. We need to be able to provide opportunities for both students and staff to develop the clinical skill of communication in the same way as they develop other, more hands on, clinical skills.'

As a psychologist, Dr Waylen's prior dental experience involved attending routine appointments; however, since starting at Bristol Dental School in 2005 having completed her PhD at the University of Warwick, Dr Waylen's thoughts turned to the theory and practice of communication within the dental setting.

Other research interests include quality of life for people with craniofacial conditions and risk-taking behaviour.