Conducting and Evaluating an Interview

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LASA 1—CREATE AN INTERVIEW GUIDE

LASA 1—Create an Interview Guide

Erika Barraza

Argosy University

Interviewing Techniques | PSY405 A01

04/29/2015

Identify and summarize the purpose of your interview.  How will the information you gather be used?

The purpose of my interview is based on a patient that is having frequent headaches and trouble sleeping. The patient is concerned and is seeking advice from a mental health professional. Client appeared distressed about her frequent headaches while on the phone to schedule a consultation. Patient was given an appointment for the following day at 9:00 am in the morning.

Explain how you will structure the interview and your reasoning behind the structuring of the interview. Include a list of topics you plan to cover.

Upon the information gathered by the interviewer, there will be a list of questions to follow up on when client attends her session. There would be paperwork that would need to be filled out per client and consents to release information for any third parties involved. It is always important to have consents for service coordination for any additional parties involved.

Compose the questions you will use to obtain the information (develop a minimum of 15-20 questions). Be sure that you develop a minimum of 5 open and 5 closed ended questions.

The interviewer will ask questions to gather information to be able to identify a solution to the patient’s problem. The interviewer listed 5 open questions and 5 closed ended questions. To be able to build rapport with a patient and gather information, asking 5 close ended questions would initiate the conversation with a few short answers. The interviewer would actively listen and be empathetic to build rapport with the volunteer/client. The responses might be a simple yes or no answer. The following questions would consist on open ended questions, this process is to be able to have a more in depth conversation with the patient. The questions that would be asked by interviewer would be:

1. How long have you been experiencing this problem?

2. How long do your headaches last?

3. How frequent are your headaches?

4. Is there any sharp pain involved with your headaches?

5. Have you talked to your PCP?

6. When was your last visit to your PCP?

7. How long have you been experiencing this problem?

8. Is there anything that might be causing your headaches?

9. Are you eating properly?

10. How are things going at home?

11. Do you work?

12. Where do you work?

13. Are you married?

14. Do you have children?

15. How long have you been at your current job?

16. What time do you get off from work?

17. Do you go to school?

18. Are you taking any prescribed medications?

19. Tell me about your sleeping pattern?

20. At what time do you go to bed?

Upon the interviewer gathering all the answers needed to be able to identify the problem. The interviewer will Paraphrase by repeating what the patient responded to the questions being asked earlier in the interview process. For example: Let me make sure the information you provided me is accurate. You stated that you have been experiencing these headaches for the past 6 months, is that correct? You also stated that you have not been able to sleep in the past 6 months, is that correct? Your sleeping pattern consist of for 3 to 4 hours a night is that correct? Which makes you feel irritable and discontent, I can understand your frustration. You also stated that your employer laid off people and reduced your working hours is that correct? You stated everything is fine at home and there are no issues with your children is that correct? By paraphrasing is not just repeating what the patient reported but is giving the patient confirmation the interviewer was listening and captured the essence captured what the client is saying.

Identify types/examples of questions you want to avoid during interview.

Upon the interview the questions the interviewer would avoid would be closed ended questions. They will not give the interviewer any in depth information. For example: Why do you think you are getting these headaches? Why do you think you are having a difficulty sleeping? If the patient knew that answer she /he would not be seeking professional advice. Avoid giving the patient medical advice and always stick to your scope of practice. The patient will be better off if the proper referrals to get the help she/he needs are given.

The interviewer’s impressions is that the patient is under a lot of stress due to the possibility of losing her job. Client is constantly thinking and worrying if she might be the next on line to be laid off. Based on the patient’s report her employer has laid off over 20 positions in a 6 month period. Client appears anxious and appears to be having difficulty sleeping at night due to that same reason. As an interviewer I can relate and understand how this situation can cause the patient frequent headaches and trouble sleeping. There are situations were patient have chronic headaches however, her report on what is going on at her job and her being the main financial provider for her home can be the root to this problem. As an interviewer I would guide the patient to explore different venous to get a solution to the problem developing a treatment plan. As an interview my beliefs would interfere by trying to enforce what I feel or believe onto the patient. The patient is to explore different objectives given by therapist for a solution to the problem. Once beliefs or values can do more harm to the patient than help.

References

Murphy, B. C., & Dillon, C. (2010). Interviewing in Action in a Multicultural World, 4e, 4th Edition. [VitalSource Bookshelf version]. Retrieved from http://digitalbookshelf.argosy.edu/books/1133086713/outline/4

As part of my job description I am to do alcohol/drug screenings for potential DWI court participants. Before having any contact with clients, a court coordinator gets with the client’s attorney and provides them with information about the DWI court program. Client is to fill out the DWI court program application. After the DWI court application is filled out, I get called to conduct the screening. A screening is based on asking questions designed to determine whether a comprehensive evaluation for a particular problem or disorder is warranted.

My first approach is to gather all forms and paperwork the client will be provided with upon interview. My first approach is to build rapport with the client to be able to build trust. Secondly, I take client to a private place to be able to ask him questions and talk to him about the program. It’s very important to make the client feel comfortable during the interview process to be able to gather information.

My approach with all clients is the same and I start by introducing myself and telling them a little about my profession. I tell them I am a LCDC and that they will be required to fill out some forms to gather information in regards to their substance use. One form is based on their lifetime and the other would be in the past 12 months.

Once they are finished filling out the forms, I have them sign a consent to release information for whom they would like me to share this information. Once the consents are signed I proceed with a personal interview of client’s, age, gender, highest grade completed, arrest, psychological/emotional problems, medical issues, employment, occupation, financial, and drug/alcohol history.

According to the APA Ethical Principles of Psychologists and Code of Conduct with the 2010 Amendments, the Privacy and Confidentiality codes which range from Codes 4.01 - 4.07 specifically covers maintenance of confidentiality, disclosures, privacy consultations and the use of confidential information. It is imperative as a counselor that one upholds these standards and ensures their clients know this as well.

Based on what client reports I make a recommendation whether client is appropriate and eligible for the program. I also explain the results of the screening to the client and ask if he has any questions for me. Usually, they say yes and I go over their issues or concerns before they decide this is something they want to compromise to do. Usually the interview could take from 30 minutes to an hour. For the most part clients are just getting information and they know this is a choice for them once the information is given. There has been situations where clients get hostile and defensive during the interview process. Which requires a lot of patience and assertive communication. I make sure I tell clients I am here to provide them with information and they decide their outcome. For the most part the screening process is not uncomfortable unless you dealing with clients that are resistant to change.

References

ACA Code of Ethics: American Counseling Association (2014). Code of ethics and standards of practice. Alexandria, VA: Author. Retrieved from http://www.counseling.org/resources/aca-code-of-ethics.pdf  

American Psychological Association (2015). Ethical Principles of Psychologists and code of Conduct. Retrieved from http://www.apa.org/ethics/code/index.aspx  Argosy University (2015) Ethics in Psychology Lectures retrieved from http://myeclassonline.com/