Final answer:
The technique used to let the patient know how you interpreted their message is called feedback, which employs verbal or non-verbal responses to confirm understanding. Body language and vocal delivery also play crucial roles in healthcare communication, offering insight beyond verbal responses and enabling the provider to connect more effectively with the patient.
Step-by-step explanation:
The technique used to let the patient know how you interpreted the message he or she is communicating is known as feedback in the context of healthcare communication. Feedback involves verbal or non-verbal responses that a healthcare provider gives to the patient, indicating their understanding of the patient's message. For example, summarizing what the patient said and asking for confirmation, or using paraphrasing to restate the patient's message in the provider's own words to verify understanding. This process ensures that both parties are on the same page and fosters accurate, effective communication.
In clinical settings, healthcare providers must also pay close attention to body language and vocal delivery, including shifts in volume, tone, or vocabulary, as they can provide important clues about the patient’s state and the context of the verbal message. The use of body language and tone helps establish a connection with the patient, facilitating engagement and better comprehension of the medical situation at hand. Moreover, direct observation of the patient’s responses to questions like “What is your name?” provides immediate, observable data regarding their orientation and language understanding.