Do you know how to provide information effectively in the OET role play?
Watch this video where we show you how.
Hello, I'm Jo from SLC, here to help you pass your OET exam. In today's video we're going
to look at one of the clinical communication criterias from speaking, information giving.
We will look at what this criterion means and how to improve in this area, don't forget to
check out our website we've got the perfect OET preparation course for you, let's get started!
What does information giving mean? To score well in this area, you need to find out about
the patient's existing knowledge, use pauses appropriately and invite the patient to contribute
to the interaction, check understanding and discover what information the patient needs.
So first up, is finding out what the patient already knows. Before proceeding
with explanations, it's important to find out what the patient knows already, for example:
Can you tell me what you know about cholesterol?
Would you mind telling me what you know about tetanus?
And the patient's response will give you the opportunity to respond in a variety of ways.
You should also make sure that you're using pauses appropriately.
Using pauses allows the patient's response to guide you in return, for example:
I just need to ask you a few questions, is that ok?
Of course. I’m going to explain and show you how to use an inhaler,
but first I’d like to talk about what causes asthma. Is that alright?
Take a look at this explanation of asthma, where the speaker does not pause,
notice the negative effect.
I’m going to explain and show you how to use an inhaler, but first I’d like to talk about what
causes asthma. Asthma is caused by an inflammation of the airways and it can be triggered by many
things for example by environmental factors such as smoke, pollution or cold air or it
could be exercise or it might also be set off by colds or flu. And this means it is
important to identify and then avoid your asthma triggers to keep the condition under control.
Now listen to the same explanation but with pauses.
I’m going to explain and show you how to use an inhaler, but first I’d like to talk about what
causes asthma. Is that alright? [pause]
So, asthma is caused by an inflammation of the airways and it can be triggered by many things.
One common trigger is allergies, or perhaps environmental factors such as smoke, pollution
or cold air. Another trigger could be exercise or asthma might also be set off by colds or flu, ok?
[pause] So this means it is
important to identify and then avoid your asthma triggers to keep the condition under control,
alright? Do you have any questions about that? [pause]
Much better.
Even when providing information to the patient, it's important to encourage them to react
and contribute to the conversation, let's take a look at some examples.
I do understand how difficult it is to make these changes, but it is important that we lower your
cholesterol. Would you be willing to try walking for 5 - 10 minutes during your lunch break?
Having a fear of needles is really very common and I often see how distressing it can be.
However, tetanus can be a life threatening condition and it really is vital to have
a booster after being bitten by a dog. How do you feel about trying?
You also need to make sure that you are checking understanding throughout the interaction,
let's look at some examples.
Ok, so we’ve talked about how to apply a dressing. Could you talk me through the steps again?
That’s right. You just need to apply the moisturising cream
three times a day and apply it again if you can see that your daughter is scratching the area.
Do you think you can manage it?
I know that it can be a lot of information to take in.
Is there anything that you would like me to go over again?
During the role play you will need to find out what further information the patient needs
by doing this you will know where to take the conversation next, for example:
Can you tell me what you know about the procedure? Is there anything else that you would like to ask?
Do you have any other questions?
So what can you do to improve? It's important to use your preparation time well so that you
can plan where you can find out what the patient knows and what else they need to know. Sometimes
nerves can play a factor and candidates may rush through the tasks a little, so it's
important to remember to allow for the patient to contribute and react to the conversation,
try to check understanding at various points during the role play and don't wait until the
end to do it, in case you run out of time. It's a good idea to practice pausing and see
how this adds to the effectiveness of your interaction, as well as finding out patient
information needs explicitly which will dictate the information that you need to give next.
Top tips for information giving, don't rush and forget to include the patient,
find the opportunities to meet the criteria during your preparation time
and check that the patient has really understood.
So thanks for watching, don't forget to subscribe to our YouTube channel for more videos like this,
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and don't forget to check out our website, we have got a variety of
OET courses to help you with passing your OET exam, see you next week, bye!