Conducting and Evaluating an Interview - Research Paper Example

? Conducting and Evaluating an Interview Ashley Simpson I. Importanc eof information gathered during the interview Prior to the interview, the condition of the subject is already known to the interviewer and this provided the researcher the advantage of crafting questions designed to address the issue at hand. This gives the interviewer the unique advantage of crafting targeted questions that would solicit the most accurate information that would be beneficial for the treatment of the client. In the case of the subject, it is already known that the subject is suffering from chronic headache but its root cause still needs to be determined through targeted questions because lack of sleep can be caused by a lot of things that range from flu to lack of sleep (Trochim, 2007). The information gathered during the interview provides an invaluable insight in planning treatment for the client. The determination of the root cause of the problem or “scikness” of the patient will enable the therapist/medical provider to apply the most appropriate treatment to the determined issue thus making treatment effective. The type of questions that were asked were a combination of open ended and closed questions which were designed to get responses from the subject (Credo Reference, 2007). The purpose of the interview was to solicit as much crucial information to identify the root cause for the subject’s chronic headaches so as to come up with a comprehensive outlook as to the cause of this ailment, and try to find out the best course of action that would assist the subject or any other who might be suffering from the same, in coping and handling their situation. II. Ethical consideration of the questions The questions that were also chosen were carefully examined to make sure that they are both ethical and agreeable to the subject. It was crafted in a manner that it will not put the subject on a defensive. Offensive questions inadvertently put the subject on the defensive and prevent them from giving truthful and accurate information which would make it difficult for the interviewer to ascertain the root cause of the subject’s headache. Ill crafted question can become inadvertently unethical that does not only sound judgmental but also blames the subject for their issues. During the duration of the interview, the interviewer also took effort to maintain a warm, emphatic and sincere environment to help maintain rapport that would enable the interviewer to get accurate information from the subject (Credo Reference, 2007).  The subjects were also given the utmost beneficence or being treated in “an ethical manner not only by respecting their decisions and protecting them from harm, but also by making efforts to secure their well being … [which is an] act of kindness or charity that go beyond strict obligation (National Institute of Health, 2012). III. Questions asked during interview proper The following questions were asked to the subject among the list of question that was initially drafted. Open questions How do you feel about your chronic headache? What are the things/medication/therapy you are doing/taking to alleviate the pain? Since when did the headache started? What are the activities, circumstances, things or anything that triggers your headache? Can you describe me your typical day and weekend? Closed questions Is the pain associated with your headache tolerable? Can you still function even when you have a headache? Are you taking any medicine or therapy to remedy your headache? Are these medication and/or therapies effective? Are you willing to explore other intervention or therapy to remedy your headache? IV. Evaluation of the techniques used The goal of the interview was to get the correct and informative information for the subject’s chronic headaches. Thus, I have to use effective interview techniques: appropriate tonal variation, objectivity, empathy and conveying the message that is to be of assistance to curb the subject’s chronic headaches. My success in the interview depends on the type of questions I will ask, my prior preparation, and how I will ask them which is dependent on the techniques that I will use in the interview. When I did the playback of the interview, I noticed that there were several areas that I need to improve on. I noticed that my interview was “too structured” because my questions were very methodological to the point that I sounded a little rigid in the interview. If there is anything I can fault myself for the techniques used in clinical interview, it would be my over reliance on them. For example, I always followed the reflection, restatment, clarification, and summary process of a clinical interview. While doing this process is advisable for us to get a feel on how to do the clinical interview correctly, over reliance on the structure of the interview can be ntoiced by the subject and this could run the danger of ruining the rapport that was previously established. This was evident when I as ked the first open question “How do you feel about your chronic headache?” I think I hit a right button there because the subject eagerly answered the question that she proceed on telling the things she did to alleviate her headache which in effect already answered my second question. Still I asked the question because it was on my questionnaire and even paraphrased it like “So you took Advil for your headache” when she already told me that. It sounded as if I was not listening to her. Worst, when I summarized it, I myself felt awkward because I sounded too methodological and insensitive. I have learned in this process that questionnaires are best used as a guide and not necessarily to be followed strictly. I remembered the previous lesson that follow up questions and techniques employed in clinical interview should depend on the answers already given and not to necessarily ask questions just because it is written on my notes. Techniques such as paraphrasing are invaluable tools in clarifying understanding but could also be awkward when inappropriately used (Sherin, 2007). But reflecting about it, I still liked the idea that I covered the whole process even if I sound redundant because it gave me a “feel” on how to use each technique so that the next time I do the interview, I would know better when and how to use it appropriately. But for now, I think I still need to practice the techniques for me to get the hang of it. References CLINICAL INTERVIEW. (2007). In Encyclopedia of Special Education: A Reference for the Education of Children, Adolescents, and Adults with Disabilities and Other Exceptional Individuals. Retrieved from http://www.credoreference.com.ezproxy.apollolibrary.com/entry/wileyse/clinical_interview National Institute of Health (2012). Principles of Research. Retrieved from http://phrp.nihtraining.com Sherin B. (2007). Conceptual Dynamics in Clinical Interviews. AIP conference proceedings. DOI: 10.1063/1.2820937 Trochim, W. (2002). Types of Surveys. London: Research Methods Knowledge Base. Read More