Steal These Motivational Interviewing Phrases to Improve Patient Rapport

If you’re a healthcare practitioner working in English as an additional language and you want to improve interactions with your patients, steal these three phrases:

1. "That is an incredibly difficult position to be in." This phrase works after almost any unexpected patient disclosure – particularly something like financial hardship, for example. It’s important to acknowledge challenges, not simply dismiss them and move on to your next point.

2. "What would need to be different for this to feel possible?" Use this when a patient tells you they cannot make a change. It avoids arguing or directing. It demonstrates a willingness to explore the challenge.

3. "What questions does that raise for you?" is more effective than, “Do you have any questions?” The word 'what' signals that questions are expected and welcome. This tells patients that you are ready to clarify information for them.

These are three example phrases from a new course I created specifically for healthcare professionals working in clinical English: Motivational Interviewing in English for International Healthcare Professionals. There are reference cards, phrase banks, annotated clinical dialogs, and a full interaction from opening to close.

If your clinical appointments are in English, and English is not your first language, this course was built for you. https://www.absolutelyenglish.com/courses