Page 38 - ASCO Cultural Competency Toolkit

According to King and Hoppe 2013, the functions of a medical interview and associated skills are:
FUNCTION OF THE MEDICAL INTERVIEW
ASSOCIATED SKILLS
Fostering the relationship
Greet patient appropriately (as they identify). Maintain eye contact (with consideration to cultural norms).
Listen actively.
Use appropriate language. (See inclusive language and interpreter use sections.)
Encourage patient participation.
Show interest in the patient as a person.
Gathering information
Ask open ended, non judgemental questions. Allow patient to complete responses.
Elicit patient's full set of concerns.
Elicit patient perspective on the problem and effect of illness.
Clarify and summarize information.
Providing information
Use plain language to explain problem and approach to diagnosis and treatment. Provide uncomplicated explanations and instructions.
Encourage questions and check understanding. Emphasize key messages.
Decision-making
Encourage participation in decision making. Outline choices.
Explore patient preferences and understanding. Aim for agreement.
Identify and enlist resources and support. Discuss follow-up plan for unexpected outcomes.
Enabling disease and treatment-related behavior
Assess patient’s readiness to change health behavior.
Elicit patient’s goals, idea and decisions.
Responding to emotions
Acknowledge and explore emotions.
Express empathy, sympathy and reassurance. Provide help in processing emotions.
Assess psychological distress.
*Adapted from King A, 2013
GENEROUSLY SPONSORED BY
36