Module 2

Question 1

What is an interview?

Answer 1

An interview is a purposeful exchange between 2 or more people

An interview can also be a directed conversation that proceeds in an orderly fashion

The interview has purpose
There is more than one person
The people interact
There is a plan

Question 2

What do we hope to accomplish by completing an interview?

Answer 2

Get information
Give information
Establish clinical relationship
In some cases, provide limited counseling

Question 3

Who should participate in the clinical interview

and what are their roles?

Answer 3

Clinician

• Establish rapport/ set the tone
• Lead the discussion
• Ask questions
• Provide information/ responds to questions

Client and or/ family members

• Participate in the discussion
• Respond to questions
• Seek information or clarification

Question 4

What should you plan to bring to the interview?

Answer 4

Read and study the case-history intake form
Identify any relevant facts
Identify any informational gaps (what do you still need to know, clarify)
Write down questions (make family friendly)
Identify relevant and irrelevant questions
Eliminate irrelevant questions
Reword questions so that they are family friendly
New clinicians- rehearse
Understand the case well enough to ask your questions in a natural way
Something to take notes with (clip board, paper, pen, computer, recording device)

Question 5

How do you conduct yourself during the interview?

Answer 5

Conversational tone that invites response
Flexible about order of questions
Take notes
Listen carefully
Use appropriate eye contact

Question 6

What is your focus during the interview?

Answer 6

Focus on understanding and addressing the communication problem

Question 7

What if…
the client thinks I’m not qualified
because of my young age or inexperience?

Answer 7

Focus on your goal of helping the child, not on the question

Should you refer the person to your supervisor: NO

Should you tell parent about your qualifications and expertise: NO

Question 8

What if..
the client becomes defensive/ aggressive when I ask
sensitive questions?

Answer 8

First make sure you need to know the answer

First consider whether your tone or the question is intrusive, offensive, or unnecessary

Adjust if needed or come back to it
Make a sincere effort to understand the exact nature of the problem

Should you apologize?: NO

Should you explain the reason for the question

Question 9

What if…

the client starts asking me questions?

Answer 9

Expect this to happen, questions are a natural dynamic that should happen during an interview?: Will want to know if they have a comm. Disorder, prognosis, and recommendations

Any question can be tabled, so don’t feel pressure to answer on the spot

should you tell them you’ll ask your supervisor or look it up: NO

Question 10

What if…

I don’t know the answers to the questions?

Answer 10

Have a plan for how you will respectfully defer the questions until later

Don’t forget to follow up

Question 11

TYPES OF QUESTIONS CLIENTS/FAMILIES ASK:

I want to know something and I hope you have
the right information

Answer 11

“Will my child ever be able to speak like other children his/ her age”?

Focus on the desire to know something about the child’s future

Talk about the next steps needed

Acknowledge interest in progress & make no promises
This person needs info

Question 12

TYPES OF QUESTIONS CLIENTS/FAMILIES ASK:

I want information to support my opinion

Answer 12

“You think that my child will outgrow his speech problem, do you”?

Acknowledge the parent’s opinion and can even compliment the parent

Allow the parent to express the opinion completely, even seeking clarification you want the parent to feel “heard”

Then, redirect (person needs redirection not reassurance) the parent away from the opinion toward the kinds of recommendations you will be making

Question 13

TYPES OF QUESTIONS CLIENTS/FAMILIES ASK:

I’m looking for emotional support and reassurance

Answer 13

“How can this happen to my child?” (The Why Me question)

Acknowledge parent’s pain
Allow the parent to fully express the pain, within reason. Seek clarification, the parent needs to feel heard in order to accept your input

Begin talking about the plan of care as soon as the person is able to hear it

Connect the family to support resources

This person needs to know you care

Question 14

TYPES OF QUESTIONS CLIENTS/FAMILIES ASK:

I want help; but I don’t want to change

Answer 14

“I Know you say I should stop correcting my child, but isn’t that the lazy way?

Find out what’s objectionable about the changes you suggest. This may take time

Find out what the parent thinks is a better approach to the problem and why is this better?

Educate them with family- friendly rationale for the suggestions

This person has to be won over!

Question 15

Principles for Responding to Questions

Answer 15

Focus on sharing

Avoid advising or lecturing

Use common language

Use many examples and illustrations

Repeat and rephrase for emphasis
Anticipate that emotions may surge

Repeat a comment or question in a clarified form to demonstrate connection

Question 16

_% of the total message is nonverbal

Answer 16

80%

Focus on being professional and connecting with the patients

Look for patterns,
Not isolated symbols

Question 17

The opening interview establishes:

Answer 17

a foundation and sets the tone for a clinical relationship

Question 18

How to proceed

with the opening interview

Answer 18

Start with small talk (weather, parking)
Explain purposes and procedures
Always express a sincere interest in their perspective
Make a genuine effort to understand
Blend empathy with clinical expertise (don’t ask why questions)
Be professional, but not stuffy

Question 19

Asking questions

Answer 19

Spontaneous, meaningful questions
Start with general questions, less likely to provoke anxiety
Funnel Approach or inverted funnel approach

“what brings you here today?” and “what can we do for you?” important first question; general

Funnel approach: general to specific
“tell me about a typical day for Jimmy?” -> “tell me the time she spends watching tv”

Inverted funnel: specific to general
“Does your grandmother or Zoe’s grandmother care for her during the day?” -> “What kinds of activities do they do together?”

Question 20

Strategies to encourage talking

Answer 20

Long pause: makes people feel uncomfortable and make them want to say something

Puzzled look
“tell me more”
Summary probe: “what I think I hear you saying is” they will try to clarify and help
Stumbling probe: “so you’re saying…um…i thought” dont constantly do this

Question 21

The closing interview: purpose

Answer 21

Tie it all together: all the conclusions ready, have enough information to tell them results of testing, they are more interested in knowing the disorder than test scores

Communicate preliminary information relative to impending clinical decisions: does this person have a comm. Disorder? Do we recommend therapy? Will they make progress? Plan of care?

Let the family know what will happen next

Question 22

the closing interview: what to tell the family

Answer 22

Is there a communication disorder?: Respond to original concern

Evidence: Results of Informal and formal testing and observations

Nature and Severity: mild, moderate, severe, profound?
Diagnosis

Prognosis

Recommendations: numbered list

- do you recommend speech therapy and why?
- Additional testing to be completed 
- referrals to outside professionals  
- address all their questions or give a plan for addressing questions

Question 23

The closing interview: limited counseling role

Answer 23

Help Sort out confusing choices

Provide a safe place to talk about problems and feelings

Empathize, don’t criticize
For example, express that you understand the importance of the issues

No attempt to persuade or debate

Acknowledge the sadness;
Encourage the person to express it;
Use sadness as a bonding experience;
Don’t try to convince the person to be happy

Is your role as a SLP to tell the clients what the consequences of their lifestyle choices are. Tell them there is a relationship between voice nodules and singing career.

Question 24

The closing interview: giving information

Answer 24

simple non- technical language: make sure whatever you are recommending or diagnosing is in your scope of practice (orthodontist work is not scope of practice)

Clearly summarize any new information: summarize diagnosis, prognosis, and recommendations and repeat in a different way

Provide information in writing if needed: write down an informal list of recommendations, don’t put date