How to improve patient interaction at the clinic I'm volunteering at

[Danny L]

I volunteer at a cancer clinic where my tasks include comforting patients by offering refreshments, a listening ear/conversation, and generally making sure the clinic is well stocked for everything

Since my task involves giving out food, I've noticed many of the interactions I've had have involved very brief small talk (ie Hi how are you; good, you?; good) and then straight to what the patients want off the snack cart (or sometimes none at all if they just want the food) and then I leave. I have had some more in depth interactions but were patient initiated (ie they tried to start the conversation, etc).

Anyway I was wondering how I could be more proactive in building a relationship (ie what do you guys do to open up meaningful conversations with the patients you interact with at your volunteer shift) rather than letting the patient do it

I don't know, maybe this is how it is supposed to be but my people skills with strangers is rather mediocre so I'm clueless on how this should be. I've always felt doctors build better relationships with patients but maybe that's because they have more interaction opportunities than just a undergraduate volunteer

Thanks!

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[Pusheen]

I think it can be hard to have a conversation out of the blue with someone, especially if you aren't performing a specific function like a procedure. Some people are going to want to withdraw in a stressful situation like that as well.
That being said, I work in a large hospital and have to go rooom to room performing some basic procedures. I'm not an outgoing person by any means, but you slowly pick up the skills you need to be comfortable with people and put them at ease through conversation. I'll ask about their kids if they are in the room, compliment their clothes or whatnot, ask if this is their first time at X hospital.

I guess all that to say, don't worry too much about not having meaningful conversations with people in a waiting room, just do the best you can, and the skills will grow 🙂

 

[Matthew9Thirtyfive]

I don't know, maybe this is how it is supposed to be but my people skills with strangers is rather mediocre so I'm clueless on how this should be. I've always felt doctors build better relationships with patients but maybe that's because they have more interaction opportunities than just a undergraduate volunteer

No, it's just the nature of the beast. Most patients do not want to have a conversation with a young college student volunteer that they have never met or probably don't remember. They are there to get cancer treatment to fight for their lives, and that understandably occupies a lot of their attention.

When I worked in the OR, I was able to provide some small comfort by being friendly and making innocuous jokes that made them laugh and briefly forget that we were about to cut them open, but that was it.

Now that I'm in primary care, and I have to take a history and sometimes do some procedures, it's a lot easier to build relationships with them (to be fair, I serve on the crew with all of them, but I am able to form a relationship with even the ones I never talk to/don't know just because there's more time and it's an established and expected interaction).

 

[LizzyM]

Be friendly. "How are you?" is a rote greeting that we all learn as small children and many of us know in a few languages as it is the first thing we all learn in language class. Go beyond that to ask "how every little thing today?" or "Is there anything I can do for you?"
Try to find something you have in common whether it is a mutual love of crossword puzzles or silver bracelets or peanut butter cups. That can help you connect. it does mean you need to be hyper-observant and notice their clothing, jewelry, tote bags, anything that might have a clue to their favorite sports team, hobby, alma mater, etc.
If you serve the same patients more than once, try to remember something about them and mention it whether it is to ask about a grandchild or to mention that you remember their favorite snack and have it in stock.