Paraphrasing

AIM: To practise confirming the meaning of statements by paraphrasing.

INTRODUCTION: People often use vague or tentative language when they speak, using word choices that may not accurately reflect what they mean. Depending on the context, there could be several reasons for this. It might mean that they are unsure of what they want to say, and are having trouble expressing themselves; or it might mean that they are uncomfortable with the topic.

An effective way to make sure you understand what the patient wishes to say, and to ensure that you don’t miss important information, is to paraphrase what the patient has said. To paraphrase is to use different words to express the same idea or meaning. This will enable you to better identify the patient’s meaning rather than just focussing on the words they use.

INSTRUCTIONS: Listen to and read the following quotes from the depression video and choose the option that best paraphrases the meaning of what the patient says.

Question 1:

Patient: I just came to see if I can get some, I dunno, vitamins or something like that just to get my energy levels up.

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Answer: *

I really want some vitamins.

I really want something other than vitamins (e.g. prescription drugs).

I really don&amp;#039;t know what I want.

I really want to feel like I have more energy

Question 2:

Patient: Um, I guess I haven’t been going out as much, and um, yeah, I usually go out, go out with my friends a bit.

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Answer: *

I only go out with my friends.

I don’t go out as frequently as I used to.

I can’t remember how much I go out.

I want to start going out more.

Question 3:

Patient: Um, ah, I guess my girlfriend went away.

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Answer: *

I think my girlfriend went away.

I assume my girlfriend went somewhere, I haven’t seen her in a while.

I don’t know where my girlfriend is.

My girlfriend has gone away.

Question 4:

Patient: I guess I’ve been, I haven’t been eating as much. Probably um more take away than anything else. I just don't have any motivation to cook yeah.

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Answer: *

I don’t like cooking.

My girlfriend used to do all the cooking.

I’m not interested in eating at the moment.

I only like takeaway food.

Question 5:

Doctor: Look, when people feel like that for a little while, sometimes they have thoughts about ‘I don’t want to live any more’ or ‘Is it worth living any more?’ Have you been having thoughts like that (again)?
Patient: Yeah, sometimes I guess I have thoughts yeah.

Play

Answer: *

I have thought about suicide more than once.

I do think about stuff, but not suicide.

I might have suicidal thoughts, I’m not sure.

I think everybody thinks about suicide sometimes.

Question 6:

Patient: I guess um, I guess I've been coping by myself really.

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Answer: *

I haven’t been talking to anyone about this.

I’m a very independent person.

I’m totally capable of handling this situation.

I don’t think this is anyone else’s business.

Question 7:

Doctor: Not really? yeah. Is your girlfriend somebody whom you can talk to?
Patient: Yeah I could probably talk to her if I tried.

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Answer: *

I’m planning to tell my girlfriend about this.

I’m not sure my girlfriend would listen to me.

It is likely that I could tell my girlfriend about this if I decided to.

It is unlikely that I will talk to my girlfriend about this.

Question 8:

Patient: I guess since the girlfriend's gone way I've probably been, um, you know, usually I'm drinking at home with her and I guess now I’m more like getting some take away and drinking by myself.

Play

Answer: *

I’ve been drinking by myself more often than I used to.

I only usually drink with my girlfriend.

I only drink at home when my girlfriend is away.

I drink more when my girlfriend is around.

Question 9:

Doctor: Anybody in your family had any emotional or psychological problems?
Patient: Um, no, not really, my mum was going on the other day about um my grandfather, but I dunno, it's really, not really many people in the family talk about it so ...

Play

Answer: *

No-one in my family has any emotional or psychological problems.

My family members refuse to talk about those sorts of things.

My mother seems to have some emotional or psychological problems.

I think my grandfather might have had some emotional or psychological problems.

Please answer every question before continuing.

FEEDBACK: Paraphrasing is useful technique for ensuring you understand what has been said. Paraphrasing can also be useful when you are uncertain if a patient has understood what you have said. If you not certain that a patient understands, you can repeat the information using different words to help avoid confusion.

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