The Importance of Good Patient-Physician Communication
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6.3.1
Assessment of patient knowledge (ask questions and listen)
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Open ended questions require the patient to think about the answer and elaborate. However, sometimes it may be necessary to ask a direct “yes” or “no” question.
Listen carefully to each answer. If the patient is slow to respond, do not be tempted to “fill the silence” by suggesting an answer yourself. Give the patient time to think.
