You are seeing Mrs. X for a follow-up appointment to discuss the results of a biopsy, which are positive to cancer, and to plan next steps. SKILLS FOCUS of this script: Initiating the session (Communication skills task #1) Gathering information (Communication skills task #2) Explanation and planning (Communication skills task #3) Closing the session (Communication skills task #4) Communication Potential script wording CONTENT PROCESS skills to skills taska and other tips skills to highlight highlight 1. Initiating the to see you back, Mrs. Will vary by Have results ready “Good session X, I can imagine it’s been a specialty Provide privacy long two weeks.” Sit down Make eye contact you know, the purpose of Greet patient with “As today’s appointment is to empathy for the wait discuss the results of your biopsy. I’m going to start Set the agenda there, discuss what they mean, answer any questions Provide the result in plain you may have about the language immediately. Pay results, then move to attention to reaction discussing next steps. Does Pause after presenting the that sound reasonable?” result and meaning Empathetically the biopsy acknowledge reaction “Unfortunately showed which means … …” are your thoughts at “What this point?” 2. Gathering need to get some further Will vary by Signpost provide “I – information history and to ask about your specialty rationale for needing to preferences so we can come ask further questions up with next steps that work for you.” 3. Explanation on the results and Will vary by Categorize “Based and planning your history, we have two specialty Draw pictures surgical treatment choices: a lumpectomy or a Chunk and check mastectomy. I am going to Use plain language describe each procedure, and discuss the risks and Pause frequently for benefits. I’ll start with the questions. lumpectomy and then move to the mastectomy.”
You are seeing Mrs. X for a follow-up appointment to discuss the results of a biopsy, which are positive to cancer, and to plan next steps. SKILLS FOCUS of this script: Initiating the session (Communication skills task #1) Gathering information (Communication skills task #2) Explanation and planning (Communication skills task #3) Closing the session (Communication skills task #4) Communication skills taska Potential script wording and other tips CONTENT skills to highlight PROCESS skills to highlight 1. Initiating the session “Good to see you back, Mrs. X, I can imagine it’s been a long two weeks.” “As you know, the purpose of today’s appointment is to discuss the results of your biopsy. I’m going to start there, discuss what they mean, answer any questions you may have about the results, then move to discussing next steps. Does that sound reasonable?” “Unfortunately the biopsy showed … which means …” “What are your thoughts at this point?” Will vary by specialty Have results ready Provide privacy Sit down Make eye contact Greet patient with empathy for the wait Set the agenda Provide the result in plain language immediately. Pay attention to reaction Pause after presenting the result and meaning Empathetically acknowledge reaction 2. Gathering information “I need to get some further history and to ask about your preferences so we can come up with next steps that work for you.” Will vary by specialty Signpost – provide rationale for needing to ask further questions 3. Explanation and planning “Based on the results and your history, we have two surgical treatment choices: a lumpectomy or a mastectomy. I am going to describe each procedure, and discuss the risks and benefits. I’ll start with the lumpectomy and then move to the mastectomy.” Will vary by specialty Categorize Draw pictures Chunk and check Use plain language Pause frequently for questions.