Question

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3. Imagine that you are speaking with a patient, explaining several different options for their life saving treatment moving forward. The feedback that you get from the patient is very important because, ultimately, they will be deciding how to move forward with their treatment. The patient's body language is not lining up with their verbal communication, in fact, they are complete opposites. How would you handle this situation to make sure that effective communication takes place? Why? Explain.(3-5 sentences)

Answer 1

In this situation, I would approach the patient with empathy and active listening to better understand their true feelings despite the discrepancy between their body language and verbal communication. I would encourage open dialogue by asking open-ended questions, allowing them to express any fears or concerns they might have about the treatment options. Additionally, I would be attentive to non-verbal cues and gently validate their emotions, acknowledging that decision-making about treatment can be overwhelming. This approach fosters a safe environment, ensuring that the patient feels supported and empowered to make an informed choice about their care.