General skills for STI/RTI education and counselling

STI/RTI education and counselling General skills for STI/RTI education and counselling lists some general skills that health care providers should develop in order to educate and counsel patients. Many of them are also useful for history-taking and examination. Education and counselling often start early in the consultation, when the health care provider asks questions about risk, symptoms and signs of infection. Remember that adolescents in particular may not admit to being sexually active, and may not recognize, or be comfortable talking about, symptoms of infection or pregnancy. Prevention advice to individuals should be based on their personal needs and concerns, and related to practical steps they can take to reduce their risk of acquiring infection and developing complications. Skills for education and counselling Welcome your patient warmly by name and introduce yourself. Assure your patient that privacy and confidentiality will be respected. Sit close enough to be able to talk comfortably and privately. Make eye contact and look at the patient as she speaks. Use language that the patient understands. Listen to the patient and take note of body language (posture, facial expression, looking away, etc.). Try to understand feelings, experiences and points of view. Be encouraging. Nod, or say "Tell me more about that." Use open-ended questions. Provide relevant information. Try to identify the patient’s real concerns. Suggest various options to the patient. Respect the patient’s choices. Always verify that the client has understood what has been discussed by having her repeat the most important information. Do not: – keep moving in and out of the room; – encourage other providers to interrupt; – write notes continuously as the patient is speaking; – make judgemental comments or negative facial expressions With Thanks http://hetv.org/resources/reproductive-health/rtis_gep/generalskills.htm