case and contact interview training

8/10/2019 Case and Contact Interview Training

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Tips for Case and ContactInterviews

Public Health Seattle and King

County


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Objectives

To improve the interviewers ability to

get accurate and complete information

from cases and contacts during anoutbreak or disease investigation.


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Suggestions on how to find

people Look people up on the internet via their

name or address

Go to places such as homelessshelters, bars etc. where cases have

said contacts might be found

Coordinate with human resourceemployees at place of work or school


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Establish an interview plan

Introduce yourself

State why you are there and what the

goals of the interview are If patient has medical or treatment

questions then these need to be

referred back to their primary healthcare provider. If they dont have a

provider then if possible, provide them

assistance in linking with someone.


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Basic Positive Interview

Techniques Put the interviewee at ease by

establishing rapport and arranging for

privacy Create an atmosphere free of

distractions and interruptions

Listen attentively; be objective andavoid emotional reactions

Demonstrate self confidence regarding

the disease and public health


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Basic Positive Interview

Techniques continued Use positive questions to encourage a

positive response

When possible avoid negative questionsto avoid negative responses


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Use open ended questions rather

than yes or no questionsAn open ended question is a question

that can not be answered by a yes or a

no. They are designed to elicit patients

knowledge, feelings and beliefs. Often a standardized interview form is

used. In this case open ended

questions are not used.


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Samples of some open ended

questions: They should begin with words such as:

What?

Why?

Who?

When?

How?


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Introduction Break the ice with brief and comfortable

dialog Demonstrate warmth, caring and

sincerity

Define the purpose, establish a workingrelationship and secure cooperation

Provide reassurance that confidentiality

will be maintained and if needed,explain how this is done

Have resource information to provide if

needed such as housing, food etc.


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Introduction continued

Some good ways to start are:

Asking how a person is feeling now.

Confirming their name and address

Start with more general questions and

leave the most sensitive questions until

last.


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Information giving and receiving

Identify and resolve the persons

concerns

Correct myths and educate about the

disease and its transmission

Reinforce the need for following the

disease treatment and control plan

assess compliance and implement

measures to increase adherence to

treatment


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continued Begin with the most familiar contact

information - close contacts - and move

outward slowlyAsk for names, phone numbers and any

other needed identifying information for

each contact Document information as completely as

possible while still maintaining rapport

with the person


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continued Cover each area, (church, school, work,

gym etc.), where person has contacts

comprehensively, allowing the person to

return to a previous area when needed,be flexible.

Be aware that the patient may share

information about people living in theUS illegally or about illegal activities

such as drug use. It is important that

the patient know this information is

confidential and will not be shared.


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Use of interpreters

If a case or contact does not speak

English it is important to use a certified

health department interpreter.

Often information is private and a family

member should not be used to do the

interpreting.

If a language barrier is encountered it is

best to get as much key information as

possible and reschedule the interview.


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Environmental clues

Look around you to see if there are

clues that more people could be in the

environment then people are telling youabout. Clues such as pictures, toys,

shoes and so on.


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Questioning suggestions Question

How many peopledo you live with?

How much time doyou spend at home?

Whats your job

title?

Do you abuse drugsor alcohol?

Better question

Who has lived inyour household in

the past 6 months?

When not at home

where do you go?

Tell me what you do

at work?

When is the lasttime you used drugs

or alcohol?


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Questioning suggestions

continued Do you visit with

anyone?

Do you have any

friends or family?

Tell me who visits

you at home?

Tell me about yourhobbies/activities?

Who are your

friends/family?


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Questioning suggestions

continuedAsk questions about the recent past in

increments, being sure to include the

holidays that are significant in theculture of the person, the family and

their environment


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Conclusion

End the interview when the objectives

have been met

If theres not enough time to do athorough interview then end the

interview and schedule another

interview as soon as possible. Make

sure you have enough information to

protect the publics health before

leaving.


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Conclusion continued

Summarize the information you have

collected and let the person know whatwill happen next

Answer any unanswered questions and

provide information on how to contactpublic health should the person

remember more contact information

Express appreciation for the personscooperation and time and help them feel

good about their chance to protect

others


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Conclusion continued

The health care and the worker will

need to decide who will notify the

contacts. If possible there should be a

time line established for this notification.

The patient should be reassured that

the health worker will not be saying who

identified them as a contact.

Reassess motivation for adherence,implement any incentives that may not

be in place


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Follow up

Arrange for return visits and re-

interviews

It usually takes more than one interviewto ensure that accurate and complete

contact information is obtained


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Review

Today we learned.

case and contact interview training

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