Initiating Interview

1. AT THE START:
Establish initial rapport

Greet patient by his/her full name. If name is not known, ask for name.
Introduce yourself & your role.
Explain the purpose of the interview.
Obtain patients consent.

Hello sir, its nice to meet you. My name is .. and Im a 1 st year medical student.
How may I address you? Hello Mr. Lee. Im here to obtain some information about
your health condition. And I assure you that anything you share with me will be kept
private & confidential between you, me and the attending GP/consultant that will be
meeting you soon. Is that OK with you?
* Extra sentences that can be used:

Ive already read through your notes and Im quite familiar/Ive got an overall
idea about your health condition.
The reason why Im here is to run through your symptoms/test results with
you.
Im here to carry out a test/physical examination on you to investigate more
about your health condition.
I understand that youre feeling unwell now, but I have to ask you some
questions to know more about your health condition. I will present the
information to the consultant and he will then come up with the best
treatment option for you as soon as possible. So please bear with me.

2. AT THE END:

Summarise
Share your findings
Negotiate plan

I will present all the information that you have shared with me to the consultant.
The consultant will then get back to you as soon as possible and he will also discuss
the best treatment option for you. Is there anything else you would like to ask/tell
me? Thank you very much for your cooperation.
HANDS-ON SESSION
Case 1 Normal/Ideal situation
Good morning sir, its nice to meet you. My name is and Im a 1 st year
medical student. How may I address you? Hello Mr. Ali. Im here today/Ive been

asked by my consultant to obtain some information about your health condition. I

will then present all the information that you share with me to the consultant before
his ward rounds tomorrow morning. He will then decide the best treatment option
for you as soon as possible. And I assure you that the information that you share
with me will be kept private/confidential between you, me and the consultant. Is
that alright with you?
Case 2 Multiple complains
I understand that youre feeling a lot of pain now. However in order for us to provide
the best treatment option for you as soon as possible, I will have to focus on your
pain one by one. Is that alright with you?
Case 3 Angry patient
OK sir, please calm down. I understand that youve been waiting for a long time and
I sincerely apologize for the inconvenience caused. Now that were here, I hope we
will be able to focus on your worries/health condition.
Case 4 Confidentiality
Thank you for sharing this with me, I really appreciate it. I assure you that this
conversation will be kept private between you, me and the doctor that is caring for
you.
Case 5 Pregnancy
Hello Mrs. Wong, its nice to meet you. My name is .. and Im a 1 st year medical
student. Im here to ask you some questions about your pregnancy but before that ;
congratulations on your pregnancy. Are you looking forward for the delivery?
Case 6 Have to perform physical examination but patient is reluctant
(initially willing but reluctant after several physical examinations by
different students)
I understand that youre not feeling very comfortable now. But I will really
appreciate it if you allow me to carry out a physical examination on you so that I will
be able to learn more about your health condition. If this isnt a good time, will it be
alright if I come back at a later time? Perhaps after when you have good rest?
* If patient refuses to give his/her consent:
I understand what you mean but it is really necessary for me to obtain the
information/details regarding the progress of your health condition so that the
consultant will be able to receive the latest updates about you. This will enable him
to decide on the best/proper treatment option for you as soon as possible. I really
hope that you allow us to help in every way that we can.