INTERVIEWING THE ANXIOUS PATIENT

REQUIREMENTS #

1. Table
2. Two chairs
3. Pen and note pad
4. Recorder
5. Patient’s folder (Electronic/Manual)
6. Serene environment

STEPS #

1. Advance Preparation
   • Formulate goals for the interview
   • Determine issues to focus on during the interview
   • Decide on the type to use (structured, semi-structured or unstructured)
   • Prepare patient and physical environment
   • Determine the appropriate techniques of communicating with the patient
2. Establish rapport (Refer procedure)
3. Explain procedure and reassure patient
4. Prepare the interview setting and arrange the chairs as appropriate
5. Sit patient comfortably facing the interviewer in a serene environment
6. Seek patient’s consent to record the interview in any form and assure him/her of confidentiality
7. Sit down avoiding crossing of arms and legs
8. Initiate the dialogue in a simple language the patient can understand
9. Maintain composure and speak to patient in a calm, clear and relaxed tone
10. Employ the use of verbal, nonverbal and therapeutic communication techniques (e.g. maintain eye contact, appropriate use of body language, feedback, use of silence, restating, etc.)
11. Check frequently on patient’s state of anxiety throughout the interaction
12. Find patient’s area of motivation and nurture them to gain his/her co-operation
13. Focus on specifics (i.e. condition, medication, chief compliant etc.)
14. Arrange and present questions in a hierarchy or ordered basis (description of experience, thoughts about experience, feelings about the experience, etc.)
15. Give broad opening or ask opened ended questions
16. Listen and observe for patient’s nonverbal cues (e.g. facial expression, posture, gestures, etc.)
17. Give patient enough time to express him/herself
18. Avoid interrupting patient when he/she is speaking (active listening)
19. Restate patient’s statement by rephrasing or paraphrasing
20. Use appropriate questioning techniques
21. Ask patient to clarify statements
22. Use silence to listen to patient
23. Summarize with patient what has been discussed during the interview
24. Record salient point and close the session
25. Express appreciation to patient and inform him/her on what to do next
26. Document findings in the nurses’ note/patient’s folder
27. Report the outcome from the interview to the Charge Nurse