Jarvis chap. 3 The Interview

ad hoc interpreter

using a patient’s family member, friend, or child as interpreter for a patient with limited English proficiency (LEP)

animism

imagining that inanimate objects (e.g., a blood pressure cuff) come alive and have human characteristics

avoidance language

the use of euphemisms to avoid reality or to hide feelings

clarification

examiner’s response used when the patient’s word choice is ambiguous or confusing

closed questions

questions that ask for specific information and elicit a short, one- or two-word answer, a “yes” or “no,” or a forced choice

confrontation

response in which examiner gives honest feedback about what they have seen or felt after observing a certain patient action, feeling, or statement

distancing

the use of impersonal speech to put space between oneself and a threat

elderspeak

infantilizing and demeaning language used by a health professional when speaking to an older adult

empathy

viewing the world from the other person’s inner frame of reference while remaining yourself; recognizing and accepting the other person’s feelings without criticism

explanation

examiner’s statements that inform the patient; examiner shares factual and objective information

facilitation

examiner’s response that encourages the patient to say more, to continue with the story

gender identity

how a person sees themselves in relation to roles and behaviors that are socially assigned to different genders

geography

private room or space with only the examiner and patient present

interpretation

examiner’s statement that is not based on direct observation, but is based on examiner’s inference or conclusion; links events, makes associations, or implies cause

interview

meeting between the examiner and patient with the goal of gathering a complete health history

jargon

medical vocabulary used with a patient in an exclusionary and paternalistic way

leading question

a question implying one answer is better than another

nonverbal communication

message conveyed through body language—posture, gestures, facial expression, eye contact, touch, and even where one places the chairs

open-ended question

asks for longer narrative information; unbiased; leaves the person free to answer in any way

reflection

examiner response that echoes the patient’s words; repeats part of what the patient has just said

sexual orientation

refers to sexual and emotional attraction to others (i.e., heterosexual, bisexual, gay)

summary

final review of what examiner understands patient has said, condenses facts and presents a survey of how the examiner perceives the health problem or need

telegraphic speech

speech used by age 3 or 4 years in which three- or four-word sentences contain only the essential words

verbal communication

messages sent through spoken words, vocalizations, or tone of voice