- Respect and empathy
for the client
- Good communication skills
- Tolerance for values
and beliefs different
from one's own
- Unbiased attitudes toward
all clients
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For all those involved in the process of delivering family
planning services, several characteristics can help make the
client-provider interaction more effective and positive.
Showing respect for clients is important. All clients are entitled
to respect, regardless of educational level, age, sex, ethnic
group or income.
Sincerely caring about the needs of the client – and putting
oneself in the situation of the client – is essential.
Some refer to this characteristic as having empathy for clients,
regardless of their situation and needs. Empathy builds trust
between the client and provider.
Good communication skills are essential, particularly good
listening skills.
Providers need to have tolerance for values that are different
from their own. Effective providers will not impose their own
values on their clients. For example, a provider may believe
that an unmarried woman should not be sexually active, but this
belief should not affect the quality of service for an unmarried
client.
Tolerance means service staff have unbiased attitudes toward
all clients, regardless of age, ethnicity, sex, religion, race
or educational level. An understanding of the local culture
is important for providers.
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