This handbook was designed to be a tool for preclinical medical students during their beginnings in
patient interactions and counselling. It is intended to be used in a consultation, giving step-wise
approaches to some problems, and tools to use with the patients. It is by no means comprehensive,
but a basic field guide to psychosocial issues common in South Africa. The handbook can be used
on a tablet or smartphone, and if printed, lamination would allow repeated use of the pages that may
be written on (such as the scales).