Question

2. During your next clinical practicum, select a patient to talk with for at least 15 to 20 minutes. Ask the patient to tell you about his or her illness. Review the skills of listening in this chapter and in Chapter 24 (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site.. Immediately after your discussion, reflect on the discussion with the patient and determine if you have enough information about him or her to answer the following questions: a. What do you believe the patient was trying to tell you about his or her illness? b. Why was it important for the patient to share his or her story? c. What did you do that made it easy or difficult for the patient to talk with you? What did you do well? What could you have done better? d. Would you rate yourself a good listener? How can you listen better?

Answer 1

I have selected a patient who was diagnosed with depression and had a conversation with her for around 20 minutes.

A. Initially the patient was reluctant to reveal any of her information but with the help of few techniques like listening , probing , consoling and reassuring , the patient started with a conversation. Then she was really hesitating to explain about her illness and she doesn't have much insight about her condition. But she is aware about her symptoms. She was explaining one incident happened in her life that is a love failure and she was feeling like dying , not worthy to live and hopeless. From the conversation , i understood that she is trying to tell about some suicidal ideations indirectly because in between many times she told she wants to die.

B. The patient was having depression and she beloved that none is there for her and she is useless now because her boyfriend broke up with her. She wanted to convey that she needs care but she was trying to explain it indirectly . Also she is getting a relief when she reveal about the unpleasant feeling hidden in her mind. For her , it's very important to talk to someone because isolation will aggravate the symptoms of depression and suicidal ideations.

C. Initially it was very difficult for her to talk to me but I used the technique of silence and nonverbal behaviour of smile made her look at me. The calm consolation made her to start her conversation. Patient listening helped both of us to maintain a therapeutic communication and restating and clarification ensure that I am listening to her which provided a good comfort for her. I used the techniques well but I could have spend more time with her to provide a counselling as she has suicidal ideations. I couldn't collect her ideas completely and because of that I was lacking information to make the health care provider alert.

D. I'm rating myself as a good listener. I give 4.5 out of 5 . I can be a better listener if there is no distractions in the environment as well as I can use my genuine interest and empathy to be a best listener .