Conducting a Patient Interview

Conducting a Patient Interview

When conducting a good patient interview you must come up with a strategy that best fits the type of patient you will be interviewing. An example of what I mean is if you have a spanish speaking person may need someone to translate or an elderly person will need more time then someone younger might need. There are also some general strategies to conduct a good patient interview.
The way I would prepare myself for the interview is by reviewing the patient’s chart. I would make sure to know what the patients status in regards to medical history, financial, and past reasons on why they came in to the clinic. This shows the patient I know and care about their well-being and took the time to find out about them. I would also make sure Ii have good personal hygiene and proper grooming to make a good impression and to establish or maintain rapport and respect for my professionalism.
Now when I present myself for the interview, I would make sure to have a smile on myself. Also, have a warm and friendly attitude this shows the patient that you are ready to help them and happy to do it.   I would make sure to sit comfortable, relaxed, and with an open position. That way the patient opens up to me. I would greet them with a handshake and by first name.
I would conduct the interview in a professional but friendly environment not a cold and sterile one. I would also pick a room that had warm, bright colors and a comfortable setting to help put patients at ease. The area would be private with no interruption to threaten confidentiality or to disrupt the flow of the conversation. I would sit at the patient’s level and face to face with them. My first question would be general like “How may we help you today?” Now that question is an open-ended question, which means it requires that patients form answers in their own words. Other example of an open-ended question is “Describe what happen next?” but if you need direct the questioning then you would then try some closed-ended...