How do you coach and support a patient or client with a negative attitude and outlook?
"I typically try to exercise patience and empathy because I have no idea what they are going through in their personal life. Perhaps they just received a difficult diagnosis and are working through it mentally and physically, or maybe they're stressed by the pressures of life, and it's spilling over into our coaching sessions. I try to provide them extra support and encouragement and celebrate the wins with them, no matter how small. I find that actively listening helps improve attitude sometimes, too, as often, people just want to be heard. I encourage them to constructively share their thoughts and opinions on the nutrition plans and programs we're working through, and I'm willing to make adjustments or suggest compromises where possible. The partnership has to be collaborative to be effective."
"Everyone has a unique personality and disposition, and sometimes it's just the situation someone is going through that impacts their mood, so I never take it personally. If a patient is resistant to an idea, I try to find out what it is about my suggestion that they are feeling negative about, and I ask for their input and try to get them to participate in the solution process. I find that including them in the process and valuing their input and thoughts sometimes de-escalates or often even inspires more collaboration. I find that if someone is regularly negative, I don't let it impact me or how I respond, but rather I keep encouraging them and remaining positive in the hopes it's contagious!"
As a dietitian at the NHS, you may encounter a patient who is reluctant to change and displays a negative attitude or outlook on their diagnoses or even their program progress or lack thereof. The road to health and wellness is not always easy, so when a patient faces a challenge, they may feel discouraged or display a negative attitude. Share with the interviewer some techniques or strategies you use to overcome the situation and coach and support your patient positively.
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