Studio-A EMS Paramedic Podcast

The Power of Words

March 9th, 2010

Earlier this week in the “10 Tips for a Better Interview” article, building a rapport was a vital piece in the success of the interview. There are certain phrases can help a medic build trust with a patient as well as kill it for him. Here are few statements and questions that are good to say to the patient:

LET ME SEE IF I UNDERSTAND YOU CORRECTLY.”
This statement will make the patient feel understood and tells the patient that you are listening and care about what they are saying.

 ”I CAN SEE WHY YOU MIGHT FEEL THAT WAY.”
This empathetic phrase lets the patients know that you can relate to them. If they don’t feel that you understand what they are going through, it will be very difficult for them to open up to you.

Here are some phrases that can and will tear down your rapport and trust with the patient:

 ”CALM DOWN.”
If this is said to the patient, they will feel attacked and shut down completely.

 ”WE CAN DO THIS THE EASY WAY OR THE HARD WAY.”
Many people have seen this being said in bad situations and look at it as a threat. The meaning of the phrase is good because you are telling the patient that they have options, but it is just a bad way to say it.

For the other phrases that build and kill rapport.

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