Using patient-centered interviewing skills to manage complex patient encounters in primary care.

PURPOSE

To describe effective and efficient patient-centered interviewing strategies to enhance the management of complex primary care patient encounters.

DATA SOURCES

Research literature and applied case study analysis.

CONCLUSIONS

Patient-centered interviewing can enhance effectiveness of care in complex patient encounters. A relatively small investment of time and energy has positive yields in regard to improvements in longer term physiological status, treatment adherence, quality of life, patient-provider working relationship, and patient and nurse practitioner satisfaction.

IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE

Use of patient-centered interviewing strategies can enhance effectiveness of patient care processes and outcomes while retaining efficiency of patient management.