Ad Hoc Interpreter
using a patient's family member, friend, or child as interpreter for a patient with limited english proficiency (LEP)
Animism
imagining that inanimate objects (the blood pressure cuff) come alive and have human characteristics
Avoidance language clarification
examiner's response used when the patient's word choice is ambiguous or confusing
closed questions
questions that ask for specific information and elicit a short, one to two word answer, a yes or no, or a forced choice
confrontation
response in which examiner gives honest feedback about what he or she has seen or felt after observing a certain patient action, feeling, or statement
distancing
the use of impersonal speech to put space between one's self and a threat
Elderspeak
infantilizing and demeaning language used by a healthcare professional when speaking to an older adult
electronic health record
direct computer entry of a patient's health record while in the patient's presence
empathy
viewing the world from the other person's inner fram of reference while remaining yourself; recognizing and accepting the other person's feelings without criticism
ethnocentrism
the tendency to view your own way of life as the most desirable, acceptable, or best and to act in a superior manner to another culture's way of life
explanation
examiner's statements that inform the patient; examiner shares factual and objective information
facilitation
examiner's response that encourages the patient to say more, to continues with the story
geographic privacy
private room or space with only the examiner and the patient present
interpretation
examiners statement that is not based on direct observation, but is based on the examiner's inference or conclusion; links events, makes associations, or implies cause
Interview
meeting between the examiner and patient with the goal of gathering a complete health history
jargon
medical vocabulary used with a patient in an exclusionary and paternalistic way
leading question
a question that implies that one answer would be better than another
nonverbal communication
message conveyed through body language (posture, gestures, facial expression, eye contact, touch, and even where one places the chairs)
open ended questions
asks for longer narrative information; unbiased; leaves the person free to answer in any way
reflection
examiner response that echoes the patient's words; repeats part of what the patient has just said
summary
final review of what examiner understands patient has said; condenses facts and presents a survey of how the examiner perceives the health problem or need
telegraphic speech
speech used by age 3 or 4 year in which three or four word sentences contain only the essential words
verbal communication
messages sent through spoken words, vocalization, or tone of voice