STEP 2 CS - the basics 1 Flashcards
What are 5 tips for being understood by Your SP ?
- Speak slowly
- Speak loudly
- Use short sentences
- Use simple vocabulary
- Use body language
- Rephrase if not understood
- NEVER ignore patient needs
What are some tips for you to understand your SP well ?
- Pay attention and listen !
- Look at you SP
- Look at your SPs body language and acting
- NOD occasionaly when the patient is speaking
- Paraphrase
What will be your first question during every encounter ?
AN OPEN-ENDED QUESTION WILL BE MINE FIRST QUESTION DURING EACH ENCOUNTER
I will say :
“How can I HELP you today”
or
“What brings you here?”
or
“I was informed to are suffering from headaches - can you please tell me more/all about it?”
AND THEN I WILL LISTEN ATTENTIVELY AND NOT INTERRUPT UNTIL THE PATIENT IS FINISHED.
What are the seven steps of a good closing or summary ?
- Make a transition => “Let me tell you what I am thinking”
- Paraphrase
- Give the knowledge => “I think you may have this, or it could be that”
- Tell what you are going to do and ask for SPs permission => “I am goint to take a picture of your chest to find out why you are coughing. I am also going to do a blood test to look for an infection
- Counsel as needed :
- Addictions : alcohol, smoking, drugs
- Safe sex practices
- Depression
- Domestic violence
- Weight loss
- Management of chronic diseases : HTN, DM2 etc.
- Ask if SP has Q and A the best way you can ! => “Do you have any questions?
- Say goodbye ! “Call me anytime with any concerns, otherwise I’ll call you when the tests are back”
What should you say if your SP starts to talk about unimportant issues ?
“I am sorry I need to interrupt, I know you want to tell me …….., but I would like to help you and focus on you today. Please could you show me where it hurts ?”
How should you behave during the STEP2 CS exam ?
4C
Calm
Confident
Caring
Concerned
How can you express empathy ?
- Make the patient as comfortable as possible;
- Always check that the drape is protecting thw patient’s modesty;
- Pull the leg rest before the patient lies back
- Assist the patient when he/she needs to change position during the exam;
- When the patient is ready to stand up, pull out the footrest and offer to help him down;
- Offer water when the patient is thirsty or when you do a thyroid exam;
- Offer to dim the room lights if the patient is photophobic;
- Offer a tissue to a patient who is crying;
- Be attentive to making a painful exam as brief as possible while explaining the need for the manouver;
- If the patient has difficulty hearing, always stand in front of him so that he can read you lips;
- Stand behind the patient if he seems dizzy and about to fall;
- Sit in silence for a couple of seconds when a patient is emotional;
- Express empathy by appropriate touch;
- Express verbal empathy :
- Please, tell me more
- The more you tell me, the more I’ll be able to help
- Remember, I’m here to help
- I want to be sure I understand, You told me…. Is that correct ?
- I imagine this must be hard/sad/frustrating/painful
- I can see you are upset/scared/dissapointed
What transitional statements will you use during your examination ?
- Now, I am going to ask you about your health in general/in the past.
- Now I’ll ask you about your family’s health.
- I’m going to ask you some personal questions. Please, know that everything we talk about is confidential.
- Now, I will do yout physical exam.
- Let me tell you what I am thinking.
What questions will you ask to find out about medication patient is taking ?
- Do you take any prescription medications.
- Do you take any OTC medications?
- Do you take any herbal substances or vitamins, supplements?
- Why are you taking these?
- Do you always remember to take them as instructed or do you sometimes forget?
