The Patient Interview

Question 1

What type of questions are best to use when you open your interview or move to a new line of questioning

Answer 1

open ended to open a topic

Question 2

What type of questions are often best for getting specific information

Answer 2

closed ended may be used for very specific information

Question 3

What kinds of prompts can you use to elicit more information about a specific patient response

Answer 3

I see, can you tell me more about…..

Question 4

How can you assure that your interpretation of your patient’s comments are accurate

Answer 4

• say the same thing back to the patient
• summarize what the patient has expressed in more objective terms
• paraphrase long descriptions

Question 5

What are some things that you should avoid in your interview

Answer 5

• asking questions that begin with “why”
• overreacting to potentially concerning information
• appearing to judge the patient

Question 6

Examples of negative body language

Answer 6

• crossed arms
• yawning
• leaning away
• fidgeting

Question 7

Examples of positive body language

Answer 7

• relaxed posture
• eye contact
• nodding
• leaning closer

Question 8

How do you strike a balance between active listening and your need to document

Answer 8

• develop your own personal style of interviewing
• allow your patient to answer every question completely
• learn to summarize the important information in you documentation

Question 9

What are things that you can do to prepare the setting for the interview

Answer 9

• patient comfort: What is your most comfortable position?
• position myself to have eye contact
• interview in privacy (never in a busy gym)

Question 10

Define cultural competence

Answer 10

a demonstration of acceptance and respect for cultural differences

Question 11

Purpose of the initial interview

Answer 11

• establishing a trusting therapeutic relationship
• determining the unique experiences of each patient
• helping patients understand what PT is and how it will/will not help
• to gauge a patient’s understanding of his/her impairment or disability
• to determine if the patient’s status has changed since the referral was made
• identify red flags
• formulate an initial prognosis

Question 12

What is possibly the most important trait that you possess for gathering all of the necessary information

Answer 12

asking questions