6.8 Concluding the Interview

Concluding the interview has three main purposes:

• First, ensure you understand everything necessary to provide the best care for the client.
• Second, to ensure that the client has had the opportunity to share what is important to them and add additional information.
• And finally, to ensure that the client knows the next steps concerning their care. Be specific, and do not assume the client knows what to expect.

As part of the interview conclusion, you should summarise the collected data. This summary should reflect what the client said and may include paraphrasing what was said. You might start the summary by saying, “The interview is coming to a close, and I would like to share a summary of what we discussed.” The summary length will depend on the comprehensiveness of the interview and the complexity of the client’s needs but is usually a few sentences summarising the pertinent data. This can be followed up by a couple of questions, such as “Did I capture what you said accurately?” and “Is there anything else you would like to share with me that is important to your care?”

In conclusion, it’s important to outline the forthcoming stages in the client’s care process. This could entail conducting a physical examination or arranging for a consultation with another healthcare expert. It’s crucial to inquire if the client has any queries before wrapping up the interview. Conclude the session thoughtfully, perhaps by addressing the client by their preferred name and expressing gratitude for their openness in providing their information.