Assignment task:
Please help respond to this classmate's post in a paragraph:
In addition to obtaining objective and subjective data for a comprehensive health history, which is of course very important, I believe validating patients is an important part of good history taking. Patients are humans and at the end of the day humans just want to FEEL seen, heard and understood. They want to feel validated in their concerns. I think this is exactly what Dr. Desai is describing when he talks about his three pillars of taking a good health history.
Personally when I am talking to patients or obtaining a health history I always physically get down on their level. I sit in a chair usually at or below their eye level so we can make eye contact and so that I am not physically above them for this part of the interaction. This helps them to feel in charge of the interaction. (Safety first, always asses the situation this depends what area of practice you are in I'm sure). I think this is very important. I keep my body facing them, open body language I do not cross my arms ever. I keep my hands open as well and not in my pockets. I am very mindful about not utilizing any closed off body language. I practice active listening, while nodding my head appropriately to show that I am listening. I let them talk and I do not interrupt them. After they have finished their story if I still need more information I ask open ended questions to ensure they still feel like they have the wheel in terms of telling their health story. I then repeat back to them what they have told me, and what they expect from seeing me, to make sure we are on the same page and that I have accurately interpreted what they have communicated with me.
Establishing that initial human to human comfort and trust is one of the most important experiences of the history taking for the patient. It helps to put them at ease and establish trust. I find that when patients don't trust you they aren't as likely to talk freely or give you the whole picture. A lot of patients have anxiety related to healthcare for varying reasons which is another reason why establishing trust is so important. Making them feel seen, heard, and understood while validating their concerns is one of the top ways, in my opinion to gain their trust. This will help to relieve some of their health related anxiety, which allows the provider to deliver needed care, and the end result is that the patient can feel comfortable getting the care they need. When you show you are genuinely interested in them and in what they want to gain from seeing you, you can get more answers to the bigger picture and they will be more likely to trust the things you say or recommend for their health journey.
Delivering care this way does in fact utilize Dr. Desais tips on taking a good health history. By using tools such as 1) active listening, listening with your whole body, use your eyes, using appropriate body language and facial expressions, no interrupting, use open ended questions 2) reflecting back/summarizing what the patient has told you and going over their data with them and finally 3) asking patients about their ideas, concerns & expectations (ICE), what are they worried about, and what they expect, these things elevate the history taking experience for the patient and the provider. Need Assignment Help?