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Effective Communication
Effective communication is an essential clinical competency that ensures patient cooperation and diagnostic accuracy.
The AIDET framework is a widely utilized program within healthcare that is designed to facilitate effective communication, manage patient expectations, and mentor employees.
Within our field of sonography, it is specifically recommended by the Society of Diagnostic Medical Sonography (SDMS) as a best practice for patient care and interaction.
The AIDET framework provides a structured guide for interacting with patients and stands for the following steps:
A – Acknowledge: Greet the patient by name, make eye contact, and use a friendly smile. This helps to immediately establish rapport and reduce the patient's anxiety.
I – Introduce: State your name, your professional role, and your credentials. This establishes your expertise and authority as a clinician.
D – Duration: Provide the patient with an estimate of how long the examination is expected to take. This manages the patient's expectations regarding their time.
E – Explanation: Describe the purpose of the exam and explain exactly what the patient will experience. You should also inform them if any other personnel or students will be entering the room. This step helps increase patient cooperation and ensures they can give informed participation.
T – Thank: At the end of the session, thank the patient for their cooperation and for choosing your specific facility for their care. This concludes the encounter with respect and professionalism
Handling Difficult Information
Results: While sonographers should not provide a final diagnosis, they should be empathetic. If findings are alarming, explain that a specialist radiologist must review the images for accuracy.
Unexpected News: Use expressions of regret ("I'm sorry") and name the emotional experience to validate the patient's feelings.
Language Barriers: Use only qualified medical interpreters. Avoid family members or uncertified staff. Speak directly to the patient, use short sentences, and employ "teach-back" techniques to confirm understanding.
Common Open-Ended Teach-Back Questions
To check understanding without making the patient feel "tested," sonographers can use these phrasing techniques:
Confirming the purpose of the scan:
"To make sure I’ve explained everything correctly, what is your understanding of why we are doing this scan today?"
"How would you describe the reason for today’s appointment in your own words?"
Checking recall of unexpected findings:
"I’ve given you a lot of information just now. What will you tell your partner/family about what we discussed today when you get home?"
"Based on what we just talked about, what do you see as the next steps for your care?"
Encouraging patient questions:
"What questions do you have for me right now?" (This is more effective than "Do you have any questions?")
"Tell me what is most concerning to you about what I've just shown you."
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