Building a trusting nurse-patient relationship - Essay Example

As disclosed, there are various methods of collecting data pertinent to the patients’ history and current health condition; such as “interviews, observations, physical examinations, laboratory and diagnostic tests” (Cape Fear Community College, n.d., p. 74). There are explicitly identified subjective data that can only be solicited from interviewing the patients, such as: sensations or symptoms, feelings, perceptions, desires, preferences, beliefs, ideas, values, and personal information (Nursing Data Collection, Documentation, and Analysis, n.d.).

In this regard, the current discourse aims to present interviewing techniques that seek to effectively develop trust during the complete nursing assessment and history taking process. Interviewing Techniques It was acknowledged that there are two main focuses of the nursing interview process: (1) to develop trust and rapport with the patients and (2) enable the nurses to solicit relevant and accurate information, as required (Nursing Data Collection, Documentation, and Analysis, n.d.). . It was explicitly cited that “to continue to build rapport with patients, nurses should introduce themselves, discuss the purpose of the interview and explain the nurse’s role to the patient (Jarvis, 2012; Kennedy-Sheldon, 2009).

As emphasized, “your appearance, demeanor, posture, facial expressions, and attitude strongly in?uence how the client perceives the questions you ask” (Nursing Data Collection, Documentation, and Analysis, n.d., p. 30). From among the most appropriate behavior, the following are noteworthy: focus one’s attention completely to the patient; be aware of cultural disparities regarding distance and touch; apply the most appropriate facial expression; assume a non-judgmental stance in attitude; apply silence as needed to enable both the interviewer and the patient to recollect thoughts; and listen intently. b. Verbal Communication Techniques During Interview It was explicitly cited that “to continue to build rapport with patients, nurses should introduce themselves, discuss the purpose of the interview and explain the nurse’s role to the patient (Jarvis, 2012; Kennedy-Sheldon, 2009; cited by Victor, 2013, par. 7). During the application of verbal communication patterns, the interviewer should be able to ask the needed questions: open- or close-ended questions, depending on the information that needs to be responded to.

For instance, open-ended questions are typically used when the nurse or interviewer needs to pry on subjective data, as noted above. Close-ended questions typically solicit facts and quick yes or no responses. Likewise, there are types of questions that list or enumerate the expected responses. This type of questioning is