Question

You are assisting a new patient, Jeffrey, age 23, with completing the new patient assessment form. He is not very talkative and you have a hunch that he is not going to openly share his personal information with you. You know that honest answers are necessary to provide him the best care possible.

Describe how you would attempt to build a rapport with Jeffrey that will earn his trust so that he is comfortable revealing the private information in his health history.
Provide 2 example open ended questions that you could ask Jeffery to provoke a more open response.
Explain how other communication barriers could prevent the medical professional from gathering patient information, using examples.

Answer 1

To build rapport with Jeffrey and earn his trust, I would use the following strategies:

1. Create a comfortable environment: Make sure that the environment is comfortable and private to make Jeffrey feel at ease. I can offer him a beverage, reassure him that everything he shares with me is confidential, and let him know that I am here to support him.

2. Use active listening: It is important to listen carefully to what Jeffrey is saying and show that I understand his perspective. I can do this by nodding, summarizing what he has said, and asking follow-up questions.

3. Use open-ended questions: Asking open-ended questions can help Jeffrey feel more comfortable and encourage him to share more information. For example, I might ask him about his interests, hobbies, or goals to help build a connection with him.

4. Be empathetic: Showing empathy and understanding can help Jeffrey feel more comfortable and make him more likely to open up. I can acknowledge any challenges he may be facing and let him know that I am here to support him.

Two examples of open-ended questions that I could ask Jeffrey to provoke a more open response are:

1. What are some things that you enjoy doing in your free time?
2. What are some goals that you have for your health and well-being?

Other communication barriers that could prevent the medical professional from gathering patient information include:

1. Language barriers: Patients who do not speak the same language as the healthcare provider may have difficulty understanding and providing information.

2. Cultural barriers: Patients from different cultural backgrounds may have different beliefs and values that affect their willingness to share personal information.

3. Health literacy barriers: Patients with low health literacy may have difficulty understanding medical terminology or instructions, which can affect their ability to provide accurate information.

4. Cognitive barriers: Patients with cognitive impairments or mental health conditions may have difficulty processing and communicating information.