Interviewing Techniques Part 2

Vocabulary-style flashcards covering core terms and concepts from the interview techniques lesson, focusing on building therapeutic relationships, empathy, empowerment, and common interviewing pitfalls.

Rapport building

Establishing trust and a positive connection with patients through a warm greeting and introduction, open body language, eye contact, and a respectful tone.

Importance of Interviewing Skills

builds trust and rapport, improves accuracy of information gathered, enhances patient adherence and satisfaction, key to therapeutic alliance

Partnership and trust

A collaborative relationship where both clinician and patient contribute to decisions; invite patient perspective, avoid interruptions, be consistent and reliable

How to demonstrate empathy

verbal empathy (spoken phrases), nonverbal empathy (body language), normalizing feelings

How to empower the patient

shared decision making, validate strengths, encourage self expression

Interviewing pitfalls

leading questions, stacking questions, medical jargon

Core interviewing techniques

obtaining permission, active listening, continuers and echoing, open ended vs focused questions, clarifying, transitioning, reassurance and validation, summarizing

Obtaining permission

Asking for consent before discussing sensitive topics to give the patient control.

Active listening

Fully focusing on the patient, using attentive silence, and reflecting back content and emotion.

Attentive silence

Pausing to allow the patient to think and respond without interruption.

Continuers

Short prompts like “Go on” that encourage the patient to continue speaking.

Echoing

Repeating a key word or phrase from the patient to prompt elaboration.

Transitions

Shifting from one topic to another with clear orientation to guide flow; signals a shift in focus, provides patient with orientation and control, reduces confusion and improves flow, use simple and clear language

Smooth transition skills

use signposting phrases, explain why you’re asking questions, pause before changing topics, check in

Signposting

Phrasing that signals what will come next to help the patient follow the interview.

Reassurance

Providing realistic reassurance about expected outcomes.

Validation

Acknowledging and accepting the patient’s feelings and experiences.

Therapeutic relationship

empathy + partnership

Summarizing

Restating key points at the end to ensure understanding and alignment.