Reflecting

Also known as: Reflective listening

Repeating back a key word or phrase the patient used to show you have heard it and to encourage them to say more ("You said you felt ‘trapped’…").

Reflecting is a low-effort, high-yield technique that keeps the patient talking and surfaces hidden concerns, without you having to ask another direct question.

More glossary terms

ABCDE approachA systematic method for assessing and treating an acutely unwell patient — Airway, Breathing, Circulation, Disability, Exposure — dealing with each before moving on.
AMPLE historyA focused emergency history — Allergies, Medications, Past history, Last meal, Events — taken quickly in acute situations.
ARCPThe annual assessment that decides whether a doctor in training has met the competencies to progress to the next stage.
AVPU scaleA rapid way to grade consciousness — Alert, responds to Voice, responds to Pain, Unresponsive — used in initial assessment.

Put it into practice

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