Multiple Person Interviewing

• What are the typical settings for multiple person interviews?

  Older pts (mangement of HTN, memory loss, living alone after fall)

  Younger pts (teenage sexual health, diabetic control)

  Pt with intellectual disability (in a pre-op assessment/clinic)
• What communication skills are important in multiple person interviewing?

  Estabilishing who you are speaking to

  Establish who the pt is

  Eye contact, child-friendly contact

  Positioning

  Facilitating/Arbitrating

  Involving the 3rd person

  Establishing capacity (if relevant)

  Possibly separating

  May need to negotiate over process & what agendas to address
• What is SPIKES, and how is it used?

  Setting -> seating arrangements

  Perceptions -> both parties

  Invite -> both, but pt first

  Knowledge -> patient-centred approach

  Empathy

  Strategies/support
• What is UNITED? What does it stand for?

  Negotiated Skills Template

  Understanding -> all ppl present need to have an understanding of what the other people think & feel about the problem

  Non-negotiable issues -> certain points may be so important to another person that they will not concede

  Identify common ground -> some issues where all agree

  Tensions remaining -> identfy, clarify & acknowledge specific differences that remain

  Explore possible solutions -> possible solutions & explore the advantages & disadvanatages of each

  Decide together -> agree to move forward on one option
• What things should be done when working with interpreters?

  Check they speak the same language & dialect as pt

  Respect their skills

  Talk about content of interview with interpreter beforehand

  Position the pt closest to you

  Allow time for intro & explanation of interpreter's role

  Talk to the pt rather than interpreter

  Clarify confidentiality of interview

  Ensure interpreter acceptable to pt
• How can we minimise stress in a mixed language consultation?

  Allow enough time

  Same personnel if possible

  Remember pts individuality

  Explore fears/worries

  Ask permission - sensitive Qs & explain why
• What are the non-verbal skills for communicating across a language barrier?

  Importance of facial expression/eye contact/gestures/proximity/clothing

  Use of Pictures/mime

  Tone/volume/pitch of voice 
• What are the verbal communication skills used across a language barrier?

  Ge the name right

  Speak simply & clearly

  Avoid slang/phrases with possibility of misinterpretation

  Organise structure

  Clarify understanding/repeat/write down

  Consider it may be rude for the patient to say 'no'?