Affirm/Acknowledge

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When someone asks a question or shares a feeling or experience, before providing relevant information, first acknowledge or affirm what they have said. This is a way of treating people not just as patients or clients, but as a fellow human with valid emotions and reasoning. It is key to note that the acknowledgement and affirmation must be genuine. There are different ways to show affirmation and acknowledgement. Below are some examples including empathy, pointing out strengths and positives, and validation.

Ways to Affirm or Acknowledge

Empathy

Empathy is showing you care about how others feel. This is key to person-centered interaction because providers are prioritizing emotions and experiences.

Most people are trying their best to improve their lives. One way of showing acknowledgement is by complimenting an example of a self-improvement effort before continuing on.

Pointing out Positives/Strengths

Validation

Validation is useful to affirm that the person you are talking to is being reasonable and you understand where they are coming from.

Body language or non-verbal communication has a huge impact on people's relationships and comfort around providers. Make sure that your body language conveys engagement, respect, and genuine listening.

Body Language

Finding
Agreement

Outright disagreement can shut a person down during a conversation. Instead, try finding something true or that you agree with, identifying it, and then going from there. An example of this using the phrase "yes, AND..". This way people are more receptive to corrections or new information and rapport is not harmed.

Correcting Misinformation

It is normal to go online, to social media, or to a friend to get information. Although they may have encountered misinformation, seeking information about their health is a good thing. Try first complimenting their effort for taking initiative to improve their health before giving them more information or guiding them to a trusted resource like bedsider.org.

Many people have negative experiences or have heard upsetting stories about the side effects of contraception that has made them hesitant. By asking questions about current knowledge and attitudes it can provide a space to discuss more and potentially provide more clarifying information.