The Three Function Model (TFM) of the Medical Interview

First created circa 1975 by Julian Bird, MRCP, MRCPsych, for teaching communication skills to healthcare trainees in London, England, the three function model has been adapted and developed by Steven Cole between 1980-2020 in three editions of the textbook, The Medical Interview: The Three Function Approach.

Editions 1991-2013

Bird J, Cohen-Cole S (aka Cole), The Three-Function Model of the Medical Interview: An Educational Device, Adv Psychosom Med. 1990

Fourth Edition (in press)

The fourth edition, co-edited with Richard Frankel and Kelley Skeff, is in press. The graphic here is an artistic model of the cover.

The slides and tables below demonstrate the core concepts and skills presented in the Fourth Edition. BAP and BAP-MI are core components of Function Three.

Core Concepts & Skills

The slides and tables below demonstrate the core concepts and skills presented in the Fourth Edition. BAP and BAP-MI are core components of Function Three.