To be able to see triggers curiosity!
As mentioned before, any new situation triggers either fear of the potential dangers or curiosity about the unknown.
- Fear causes us to withdraw, to react in self-defence, there is no space for cooperation.
- Curiosity causes us to (cautiously) approach, to remain open to new impressions and with the chance for cooperation.
So what to do with that information?
Obviously, I try to trigger curiosity in my patients within the first seven seconds. My aim is, to allow them to experience our meeting in an emotionally positive way.
After I have managed to gain a connection with the child by crouching down, speaking in a language adjusted to the child’s age, the next step is to provide them with certainty about the next steps of the meeting.
By providing certainty, I counter any fear that might be present. They know that I will not hurt them.
And practically?
In practical terms, this means that I tell the child in the waiting area, what will happen in my office first, second and last.
The structure of the consultation is designed to be as engaging as possible. For my ear-nose-throat clinic, I offer them that they will be able to see their ears, nose, and throat for themselves! I do this with the microscope that is linked to a monitor.
And what about the parents?
In general, I greet the parents only at the end of the first seven seconds. I do this, after I have established a connection with the child, and after I have explained the process of the appointment. Most parents are initially surprised by my “ignorance” towards them. At the same time, they observe, that their child relaxes under this direct approach and that helps them to relax as well, before we enter the consultation room.
Why let them see the examination?
To be able to see triggers curiosity!
When the ear-examination is presented on a monitor, children and parents are quite curious about what is visible. This offers them some form of control. Although they lack the knowledge to really understand what they are seeing, they are engaged and active partners at this moment of the encounter. The child relaxes and want’s to see for themselves. An abnormal finding is often quite evident and that helps with the explanation towards the parents later during the consultation.
We would need to be creative
I admit that it is not possible for every sort of examination, to show findings on a monitor. There is a challenge for us, to become as creative as possible in making our findings as visible as possible.
How could we do that?
What about:
- allowing a child to listen to their lung or hart together with us (simultaneously)
- feeling a normal muscle or lymph node
- seeing an ultrasound picture of their body parts
In my observation, the access to these findings triggers curiosity significantly.
It also makes the conversation about the findings way easier!
To be able to see triggers curiosity!
In a nutshell:
Try to trigger curiosity during the first seven seconds of the interaction by offering insight into the own body.
Fear will be reduced by the provision of clear structures.
Communication lives on comments … fancy to share yours?