Continuation rates are 2-3 times
higher
with client-centered counseling |
|
Source: Abdel-Tawab and Roter. Unpublished report, 1996.
Slide 24
|
Using good verbal and nonverbal skills, including clear and
simple language, leads to more client-centered counseling, which
can result in better-served clients.
A small study in Egypt found that client-centered communication
improves contraception continuation rates. Researchers audiotaped
counseling sessions between 112 women and 34 physicians to determine
whether a session was client-centered or provider-centered.
Seven months after beginning a method, clients who had a client-centered
counseling session were two to three times more likely to still
be using the method, compared to clients who had a physician-centered
consultation.
In a client-centered session, the providers were more likely
to give information, facilitate choice, and speak in solidarity
with the client. In a physician-centered session, the providers
tended to give instructions, give directions, make negative
statements and ask questions.
The client-centered counseling lasted an average of only one
minute longer than physician-centered sessions. The study concluded
that client-centered counseling can be implemented without a
program having to make substantial changes in the structure
of its services.
This completes our discussion of communication skills. The
next group of slides will cover technical information that should
be covered during a counseling session.
|
