How to Answer: How do you handle difficult patients who don't want to listen to you?
Advice and answer examples written specifically for a Respiratory Therapy Technicians job interview.
3. How do you handle difficult patients who don't want to listen to you?
How to Answer
It is important to remain calm and professional when working with difficult patients. Patients can be difficult if they have trouble breathing or do not understand what treatment or procedures you are administering. Explain how you listen to the patient so you can understand what the problem is, and then patiently and calmly try to help them after explaining what it is you are going to do. Sometimes you might have to get a spouse or family member involved to reason with the patient if they are just stubborn.
Written by Krista Wenz on May 15th, 2021
Answer Example
"When I have difficult patients, I try to figure out why they are difficult. It might be because they do not understand what I am saying, they might be fearful of doctors and hospitals, or they are just stubborn. I listen to what they are saying and then ask questions to see if I understand why they are being difficult. If I can explain in simpler terms what procedure I am going to be doing or alleviate their fear of hospitals, I find they often become less difficult to work with. If they are just plain stubborn, I enlist the help of a significant other or family member to help talk to them."
Written by Krista Wenz on May 15th, 2021