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When it comes to OET Speaking, your performance is assessed based on two main categories: linguistic criteria and clinical communication criteria. While linguistic criteria focus on your language skills, clinical communication criteria look at how effectively you communicate with patients. Even if your English is not perfect, you can still do well by paying close attention to the clinical communication aspects, especially Information Gathering in OET.
Information gathering in OET is a vital part of real healthcare interactions. In a real setting, gathering the right information ensures that patients receive the appropriate care. Similarly, in OET Speaking, following the right steps while gathering information can help you score well.
Information Gathering in OET – Steps
Let’s explore these steps to gather information in OET.
Step 1: Facilitate Patient Narrative with Active Listening and Minimise Interruptions
Information Gathering in OET means asking questions about symptoms, medical history, treatments, and more. But it’s not just about asking questions — how you listen matters too.
Facilitating the patient’s narrative means encouraging them to share their story fully. Use active listening techniques and avoid interrupting the patient. Let them finish speaking before you respond.
Active listening can be shown through
- Use of Silence and Pausing: Stay silent and let the patient complete their sentences.
- Verbal Encouragement (Back-Channelling): Use small responses like “mm-hmm,” “okay,” or “I see” while the patient is talking to show you’re listening.
- Echoing and Repetition: Repeat key words the patient uses.
- For example, if the patient says, “I feel scared,” you can say, “Scared, I see.”
- Paraphrasing and Interpretation: Restate what the patient said in your own words. For instance, if the patient says, “I’m unable to cope,” you might say, “I understand you’re finding it hard to manage everything.”
These small techniques make a big difference in showing empathy and attentiveness.
Step 2: Start with Open-Ended Questions, Then Move to Closed Questions
Begin the conversation with open-ended questions to allow patients to speak freely. Open questions invite broader answers, while closed questions usually limit responses to “yes” or “no.”
For example:
- Closed Question: “Do you have nausea or vomiting with the headache?” (Answer: Yes/No)
- Open Question: “Could you please tell me if you had any other symptoms along with the headache?”
Starting with open-ended questions helps patients express more details. Once you have a general idea, you can move to closed questions for specific clarifications.
Other examples:
- Instead of “Do you exercise regularly?” (closed), ask, “Can you tell me about your exercise routine?” (open).
- Instead of “Is the pain sharp?” (closed), ask, “How would you describe the pain you’re experiencing?” (open).
Step 3: Avoid Compound and Leading Questions
- Compound questions combine two questions into one, which can confuse the patient. For instance, “Have you ever had chest pain or felt short of breath?” should be split into two separate questions.
- Leading questions suggest an answer. For example, “You’ve lost weight, haven’t you?” This assumes the patient has lost weight. Instead, ask neutrally, “Have you noticed any changes in your weight lately?”
Keeping your questions simple and clear helps patients respond more accurately.
Step 4: Clarify Vague Statements
Sometimes, patients may give unclear or vague responses. In such cases, you need to clarify and amplify their statements by asking follow-up questions.
For example, if a patient says, “I feel dizzy,” you should ask, “Could you tell me more about when you feel dizzy?” or “What do you mean by dizzy?” This ensures you fully understand their condition and can respond appropriately.
Closing Thoughts on Information Gathering in OET
Information Gathering in OET is a crutial part and success in OET Speaking is not just about showcasing your English skills but also about demonstrating that you can communicate with patients effectively and sensitively. By practising active listening, using the right type of questions, and ensuring clarity in your interactions, you can significantly enhance your performance. Focus on these small but impactful techniques, and you will find information gathering to be one of the easiest areas to score well.
Good luck with your preparation! Keep practising, stay attentive to your patients’ needs, and success will follow.
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