The following podcast uses these skills: greeting the patient, putting the patient at ease, asking opening questions, and setting the agenda. A patient presents herself with an ingrown toenail.
Health professional: Good morning Mrs. Robinson, please come in and sit down. I am Joe one of the nursing assistants on the floor today.
Patient: Hi Joe.
Health professional: What brings you to the hospital today?
Patient: I have an ingrown toenail and I’m having a difficult time putting weight on my foot.
Health professional: How long have you had this problem?
Patient: It’s been getting worse and worse over the past few weeks and now I just can’t stand it anymore.
Health professional: Have you seen someone about this problem before?
Patient: I was here two weeks ago…
Health professional: Alright. So there has been no improvement since your last visit? When you put on your shoes, do you find that they are a little tight?
Patient: Yes, and I just bought these new running shoes a month ago.
Health professional: Well I’ll do my best to fix the problem. Let’s start with removing your shoes and socks. Do you mind if I take a look at your toenail?
Patient: No, that’s fine.
Health professional: Once I’m finished we can talk about what we can do.
Patient: Okay thanks Joe.
Health professional: You’re welcome.
Teacher: OK, now let’s review what we just heard. Do you think the interaction between the health professional and the patient helped make the patient feel at ease? In other words, was the patient comfortable in this situation?
Student: Yes, I think she was.
Teacher: How did the health professional set up a positive environment?
Student: First, he greeted the patient and introduced himself. Next, he asked an opening question, and then he set the agenda.
Teacher: That’s right. Let’s discuss vocabulary and an expression. This is the patient’s second visit for the toenail problem. She stated that there was no improvement. Do you know what improvement means?
Student: To get better.
Teacher: That’s right if something improves, it gets better. If something does not improve, it is not getting better.
When the health professional introduced himself, he said I am one of the nursing assistants on the floor today. What does that mean?
Student: Does it mean, he is working today and treating patients on this floor?
Teacher: Yes, it does. You can also say he is on duty. Let’s practice. A patient comes to the clinic with a laceration on his thigh. A laceration is a cut. Greet the patient and introduce yourself.
Student: Good morning Mr. Walsh. My name is Josée. I am a nursing assistant.
Teacher: Good, now ask an opening question.
Student: What brings you here today?
Teacher: Okay, now set the agenda.
Student: I see you have injured your thigh. First, I will clean the wound and then the doctor will determine if sutures are necessary.