Closed and open questions
Closed and open questions
How you ask questions makes a big difference to the responses you get. Avoid questions that lead to a yes/no response and try to use 'open' questions instead.
Some examples:
Have you had a chance to start taking your new medicine yet?
OPEN QUESTION: How much of your new medicine have you felt able to take so far, if any?
Are you having any problems with your new medicine, or do you have any concerns about taking it?
OPEN QUESTION: What concerns have you had about your new medicine, if any?
Do you think the medicine is working?
OPEN QUESTION: How well do you think the medicine is working?
Do you think you’re having any side-effects or unexpected effects from the medicine?
OPEN QUESTION: What unexpected effects or changes have you noticed since starting this medicine?
Have you missed any doses of your new medicine?
OPEN QUESTION: How many doses of your medicine have you missed in the past week?
Is there anything else you’d like to know about this medicine or is there anything you would like me to go over again?
OPEN QUESTION: What else would you like to discuss or revisit?
Reflective exercise
Think of a patient to whom you spoke recently.
- Would knowing about the ‘Five Es’ have helped you steer the conversation better?
- Did you ask open or closed questions?
- How will you change your approach in future?