ABSTRACT
Chapter 2 deals with patient interviewing, and how physicians can listen for themes in a patient’s conversation that may hold clues to what is bothering him. I suggest avoiding giving a patient too much support in an attempt to make him feel better, because this may prevent him from going through his own thinking process and making mature decisions. It is important to eschew giving personal advice, which similarly may interfere with patients’ thinking and taking responsibility for their own actions. The clinician can use her own feelings and reactions to the patient better to understand his personality and problems. Consultation with a psychiatrist can help clarify the family physician’s role in assisting a particular patient.
