Open and closed questions

Tags: consultation skills 

Open questions are questions that cannot be answered with a simple "yes" or "no." They are used to encourage patients to share their stories and provide more detailed information. Open questions are often used at the beginning of a consultation, to get a sense of the patient's overall concerns and experiences.

Examples of open questions include:

• "Tell me about what brings you in today?"

• "Can you describe the pain you've been experiencing?"

• "What are your thoughts and concerns about your condition?"

• "What are your goals for this visit?"

Closed questions are questions that can be answered with a simple "yes" or "no." They are often used to gather specific information, such as the patient's medical history or to clarify their answers to open questions. Closed questions are also used to check the doctor's understanding of the patient's situation.

Examples of closed questions include:

• "Do you have any allergies?"

• "Have you had this pain before?"

• "Are you taking any medications?"

• "Do you have any questions for me?"

Doctors should use a mix of open and closed questions during a consultation. Open questions are important for building rapport with the patient and understanding their perspective. Closed questions are important for gathering specific information and ensuring that the doctor and patient are on the same page.

Here are some examples of how open and closed questions can be used together in a consultation:

Doctor: "Tell me about what brings you in today?" (open question)

Patient: "I've been having a lot of pain in my chest."

Doctor: "Can you describe the pain in more detail?" (open question)

Patient: "It's a sharp pain that gets worse when I breathe in."

Doctor: "Is it a constant pain, or does it come and go?" (closed question)

Patient: "It comes and goes, but it's been getting worse lately."

Doctor: "Do you have any other symptoms, such as shortness of breath or dizziness?" (closed question)

Patient: "No, I don't have any other symptoms."

Doctor: "Okay, thank you for that information. I'm going to examine you now."

In this example, the doctor uses an open question to start the consultation and get a sense of the patient's main concern. The doctor then uses a series of open and closed questions to gather more specific information about the patient's pain. This information will help the doctor to make a diagnosis and develop a treatment plan.

It is important to note that there is no one-size-fits-all approach to using open and closed questions. The best way to use them will vary depending on the individual patient and the specific situation. However, by understanding the different types of questions and how to use them effectively, doctors can improve their communication skills and provide better care for their patients.

Benefits of open questions:

• Build rapport and trust with the patient. When patients feel like they are being listened to and understood, they are more likely to be open and honest about their health concerns. Open questions can help to create a more patient-centered and collaborative consultation.

• Gather more detailed information. Open questions allow patients to tell their stories in their own words and to provide as much or as little detail as they wish. This can help the doctor to get a better understanding of the patient's symptoms, medical history, and overall health situation.

• Identify patient concerns and priorities. Open questions can help the doctor to understand what is most important to the patient and what they hope to achieve from the consultation. This information can be used to develop a more individualized and patient-centered treatment plan.

Risks of open questions:

• Can be time-consuming. Open-ended questions can lead to long, detailed answers from the patient. This can be time-consuming, especially for busy doctors.

• Can be difficult to interpret. Open-ended questions can produce a lot of data, which can be difficult for the doctor to interpret quickly and accurately.

• Can be overwhelming for the patient. Some patients may feel overwhelmed by open-ended questions, especially if they are anxious or have limited language skills.

Benefits of closed questions:

• Gather specific information quickly and efficiently. Closed questions can be used to gather specific information about the patient's medical history, symptoms, and medications. This can be helpful for ruling in or out potential diagnoses and for developing a treatment plan.

• Clarify the patient's answers. Closed questions can be used to clarify the patient's answers to open questions. This can help to ensure that the doctor has a complete and accurate understanding of the patient's situation.

• Check the doctor's understanding. Closed questions can also be used by the doctor to check their understanding of the patient's concerns and priorities. This can help to ensure that the doctor is on the same page as the patient and that they are developing a treatment plan that meets the patient's needs.

Risks of closed questions:

• Can be leading. Closed questions can be leading, meaning that they suggest a particular answer to the patient. This can bias the patient's response and lead to an inaccurate diagnosis.

• Can be yes-or-no answers. Closed questions can lead to yes-or-no answers, which may not provide enough information for the doctor to make a diagnosis or develop a treatment plan.

• Can be dismissive. If closed questions are used exclusively, the patient may feel like their concerns are not being taken seriously.

It is important to be aware of the risks of both open and closed questions, and to use them judiciously. By using a mix of both types of questions, doctors can minimize the risks and maximize the benefits of each type.

Here are some tips for using open and closed questions effectively:

• Start with open questions. Open questions are a good way to start a consultation and to get a sense of the patient's main concerns.

• Use closed questions to clarify and gather specific information. Closed questions can be used to clarify the patient's answers to open questions and to gather specific information, such as the patient's medical history or symptoms.

• Be mindful of the patient's needs. Be aware of the patient's level of anxiety and language skills when choosing open and closed questions.

• Use a mix of open and closed questions. Using a mix of open and closed questions can help to minimize the risks of each type and to maximize the benefits.