ABSTRACT
Contents Objectives ............................................................................................................................... 224 Introduction ............................................................................................................................ 224 “Communication” Defi ned ..................................................................................................... 224 Barriers to Communication ..................................................................................................... 225 Communication in the Plaintiff Arena .................................................................................... 226 Purpose of Plaintiff Interview in a Legal Setting ...................................................................... 226
Establishing and Maintaining Rapport through Eff ective Communication ..................... 226 Th e Initial Interview of Plaintiff ...................................................................................... 227 Data Collection .............................................................................................................. 229 Legal Issues ..................................................................................................................... 230 Medical Issues ................................................................................................................. 230
Communication in the Defense Arena .................................................................................... 232 Th e Health Care Provider as the Defense Client ............................................................. 232 Th e LNC as a Liaison ..................................................................................................... 232 Th e LNC as a Facilitator ..................................................................................................233 Th e LNC as a Support Person for the HCPD ..................................................................233 Th e LNC as an Educator and Researcher .........................................................................233 Th e Initial Interview with the HCPD ............................................................................. 234
Describe three components of interviewing skills that nurses acquire through their practice ◾ and education List three skills that LNCs possess as interviewers that give them an advantage over in-house ◾ offi ce staff specializing in plaintiff litigation Explain two purposes for plaintiff client interviews in a legal setting ◾ State three roles in which the LNC may interface with health care provider defendants (HCPDs) ◾ Discuss the role of the LNC during interviews with HCPDs ◾ State three duties and responsibilities of the LNC when working with defense clients ◾ State the importance of understanding the philosophy of the company insuring the health ◾ care provider or health care system Describe the variety of defense clients that the LNC may encounter ◾ List three potential barriers to communication with clients ◾
Introduction Th is chapter addresses the role of the in-house and/or independent LNC during communication with either the plaintiff team or the defense team, taking it from the initial client interview and continuing with ongoing communication with the client team in a civil tort litigation. Th e chapter provides information about the advantages of utilizing an LNC as a responsible and profi cient communicator, with broad health care education and experience, to help the attorney litigate the claim eff ectively and successfully.
