ABSTRACT
Interviewing and assessing patients in the emergency department (ED) can be very challenging for a variety of reasons. The limitation of time, the lack of privacy and the need to contain an agitated or distressed patient; the noisy environment; rapid decision-making are some of the many reasons. However, the first meeting can be regarded as therapeutic in itself. It is an active process in which the engagement is designed to connect emotionally as well as to find out what the patient’s difficulties are. In order to connect emotionally the therapist needs to be empathic, acknowledge distress, and allow the patient to talk. Both adult and adolescent presentations are being referred to in this chapter.
