Assignment: Building a Health History

The assigned case scenario concerns a 21-year-old Filipino college student living in a dorm inquiring about birth control. Decisions on birth control are very personal, and a number of women feel uncomfortable discussing contraception. This paper will summarize the interview and discuss communication techniques and risk assessment instrument to use for this patient.

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Interview

When interviewing the patient, I would appreciate her showing interest in birth control. I would first ask about her sexual history, including history of pregnancy or STIs. I also would ask about the birth control methods she knows, including their mechanism of action, duration of use, pros, and cons. The patient’s response will be the basis of the information I will provide since I will seek to improve her knowledge of birth control and clarify any misconceptions she has about contraceptives (Cavallaro et al., 2020). In addition, I would ask about the previous or current birth control methods she is using, their efficacy, duration of use, and any side effects she has experienced. Furthermore, I would ask the patient about her relationship status, including the number of sexual partners. I would also inquire about her plans to get pregnant, which is crucial information in determining the contraceptive method to use.

Communication Techniques

Owing to the stigma around reproductive choices, some women experience difficulties recognizing and conveying their wishes regarding the preferred birth control methods. Thus, I would use open-ended questions to ask the patient about her contraception goals and the type of contraceptive she would wish to have (Ali & Tran, 2022). I can speak, read, and write fluently in Filipino. Thus, I would experience no communication barriers if she only spoke in Filipino. In addition, I would apply simple and complex reflective listening. In simple reflective listening, I would use statements that paraphrase or repeat what the client says (Cavallaro et al., 2020). When applying complex reflection, I would use statements that include the meaning or emotion behind what the patient meant or felt when talking about birth control but did not say it.

Additionally, I would use affirmation by appreciating the client’s initiative to learn about birth control. I would affirm the client’s efforts to plan her life and protect herself against unintended pregnancies. Affirmation may encourage her to express her wishes about birth control (Ali & Tran, 2022). Furthermore, I would use autonomy statements by telling the client that she is the one in the control seat of her life. This will support her sense of control over what she desires and values. Lastly, I would summarize what the client said during the interview to assure her that I actively listened and understood her concerns.

Risk Assessment Instrument

The HEEADSSS is a screening tool for adolescent issues that I would use for this client. It is an acronym for: Home environment; Education/ employment; Eating; Activities, affect, ambitions, anger; Drugs; Sexuality; Suicide/depression; Safety from injury and violence (Ball et al., 2021). The tool applies to this patient since it can be used to ask about her sexuality when discussing birth control options.

Targeted Questions

How is your sex life?
Which birth control methods have you used before?
How was your experience using these methods?
What are your thoughts about ever getting pregnant?
What misconceptions have you heard about birth control that you wish I clarify?

Conclusion

In the interview, I would ask the patient about her sexual history, previous contraceptive use, sexual partners, and plans to get pregnant. Communication techniques will include using open-ended questions, simple and complex reflective listening, affirmation, and autonomy statements. The HEEADSSS tool can be used to assess the patient’s sexuality.

References

Ali, M., & Tran, N. T. (2022). Defining counseling in contraceptive information and services: outcomes from an expert think tank. BMJ sexual & reproductive health, 48(2), 79–81. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjsrh-2021-201132

Ball, J. W., Dains, J. E., Flynn, J. A., Solomon, B. S., & Stewart, R. W. (2021). Seidel’s Guide to Physical Examination-E-Book: An Interprofessional Approach. Elsevier Health Sciences.

Cavallaro, F. L., Benova, L., Owolabi, O. O., & Ali, M. (2020). A systematic review of the effectiveness of counseling strategies for modern contraceptive methods: what works and what doesn’t?. BMJ sexual & reproductive health, 46(4), 254-269. http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/bmjsrh-2019-200377