Communication Techniques
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Advanced Health Assessment
Week 1
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Case B 14-year-old biracial male living with his grandmother in a high-density public housing complex
Summary Interview and Communication Techniques
In order to succeed in our career as health care providers, we must be able to develop the right plan of care for our patients, it is crucial to develop a sense of trust with the patients, and this trust can only be achieved by using the appropriate communication techniques. First, I would start the interview by introducing myself and acknowledging the patient and the grandmother. After, I would like to meet with the grandmother alone in order to ask about the teenagers parents and ask regarding any issues she would like to discuss with me without the presence of the grandkid, in many occasions grandparents like to speak to the health care providers in private without the presence of the minor. In this case the grandmother might be needing help from social work services regarding their housing situation. Assuming the grandmother takes great care of the patient and offers him all the necessary support, living in a high density public housing complex can be challenging for a 14 year old male, besides that, not having both of his parents actively participating in the teenager life can sometimes bring physical, social and emotional consequences. Then I would like to ask questions regarding the patient’s family history and the medical history of both parents if known. Health risk assessment is the core of health promotion and disease prevention regardless the patient’s age, in order to conduct a risk assessment is important to always assess for family history (Wu & Orlando, 2015).
Consequently I would ask for permission to speak to the adolescent in privacy, by doing this I build a sense of trust with the patient, allowing him to be more open regarding issues that he might not want to discuss in front of his grandmother, for example, drug use, the need for emotional support, etc. It is always important to make sure the questions are clearly understood, medical and technical terminology is sometimes avoided in order to adapt to the patient’s language level (Ball, Dains, Flynn, Solomon & Stewart, 2019).
Risk Assessment Instrument
Based on my assessment in this given case scenario, I will be utilizing the CRAFFT questionnaire, this risk assessment tool is used as a screening tool for alcohol and substance abuse in adolescents, due to this patient’s living conditions and lack of parental support this patient may be at risk for emotional instability that can lead to drugs and substance abuse.
Targeted Questions
Have you ever done any types of illicit drugs, drank alcohol or smoked cigarettes?
Do you feel you have support or someone who talk to if necessary?
Are you sexually active?
How is school going?
How is your relationship with your grandmother?
References
Ball, J. W., Dains, J. E., Flynn, J. A., Solomon, B. S., & Stewart, R. W. (2019). Seidel’s guide to physical examination: an interprofessional approach (9th ed.). St. Louis, MO: Elsevier Mosby.
Wu, R. R., & Orlando, L. A. (2015). Implementation of health risk assessments with family health history: Barriers and benefits. Postgraduate Medical Journal, 91(1079), 508. doi:http://dx.doi.org.ezp.waldenulibrary.org/10.1136/postgradmedj-2014-133195
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