We began with our assertion that the most likely reason why things go wrong in clinician–patient interactions is a failure of values-based practice, not a failure of evidence-based practice. In light of what you have gleaned about the processes of values-based practice from our clinical illustrations, you may like to test our claim over the coming year.

We end with another assertion. If you rehearse and practice the elements of values-based practice detailed in this book, you are likely to find your consultations more personally rewarding and your patients are likely to derive more benefit.

Don't forget you already possess many, if not most, of the skills, and if some (such as dissensus and casuistry) are new to you, you will find them relatively easy to adopt.