The Best Question

In a quiet seminar room at St Andrews Hospital in Edinburgh, Kevin evaluates Nicole and Brittany on their clinical communication skills.

The Best Question

True or false?

Kevin reviewed consultations from a clinic in Manchester.

• True
• False

Brittany interrupted the patient while he talked about his next of kin.

• True
• False

Nicole asked leading questions about the severity of the pain.

• True
• False

The best question of the session was asked by the supervising nurse.

• True
• False

The patient asked the student what she thought was wrong with him.

• True
• False

Listen again and complete the sentences

• Kevin: Good morning, everyone. Let's review your recorded consultations from yesterday's clinic in Manchester. Nicole, you took the lead first. How did you probe for the exact ____ ?
• Nicole: Well, Kevin, I tried to avoid leading questions. I asked open questions first about the ____ and timing of his chest discomfort.
• Kevin: That's good. And Brittany, how did you handle the drug history and the ____ ?
• Brittany: I checked his current prescriptions and asked about recreational drugs, but I think I interrupted him too soon when he mentioned his ____ .
• Kevin: Interrupting breaks the rapport, Brittany. You always need to let patients finish every cue they give you. Did you ____ what he said?

Sources: photo by RDNE Stock project on Pexels