The effects of consultation style on consultee productivity

Abstract

This study examined the effectiveness of three different consultation styles adapted from Bindman's typology. Consultees were nurses on eight wards in a state hospital for the retarded, who were assigned to Expert, Resource, and Process consultation groups plus a no-treatment control. Data on the number of new programs independently initiated by consultees were collected during a 6-week base line, 12-week consultation, and 6-week follow-up period. Results showed a general increase in number of programs initiated during the second half of the consultation period, with trends established there continued through the follow-up. Degree of change was directly related to the style of consultation: the Expert role proved no better than the control condition; the Resource and Process roles generated significant consultee activity, with the Process model generating the most programs in both experimental and follow-up periods.