Table 2 Proposals and strategies identified by the Pediatric Sound Group for the “Comprehension of the context” phase
DO | DON’T | |
|---|---|---|
Comprehension of the context (consensus degree 9.3) | • First of all, ask “What is your reason for this visit?”; while if it were a check-up, the question could be replaced by: “How have you been since our last visit?”. Secondarily, try to ask questions about nutrition, physical activity, relation with siblings and school progress, trying to understand also the reasons behind the answers. • Listen to the opinion of the child, in addition to that of the parents: it allows a direct dialogue and makes them feel involved. This practice is particularly useful when you have the impression that something is hiding behind the words of the family. • Invite the child to draw, for example, a child in the rain or a family. Reading and interpreting the drawing can help to understand how the child feels. This practice could also be used with parents while performing examinations on the child, especially if they are distressing (recalling the positive effects of Art-Therapy). | • For adolescent patients, do not ask the parents if the teenager can answer alone. • Don’t show disappointment, but declare it calmly • Do not directly ask for parents’ profession or judge the parental style • Do not impose anything or explain the same thing several times to “convince”. |