Poor Non-verbal Communication Skills
This video shows a conversation between a patient and a medical student. This patient had an amputation of his right leg two days ago. View the following video and observe the non-verbal communication skills displayed by the medical student.
Pause at any time in the video and reflect on what you have seen. Have you done this or seen any of your friends do this before? How would you feel if you were in Mr Bala's position?
Transcript
Mr. Bala is a lorry driver and the sole breadwinner of his family of five. He is grieving over the loss of his limb.
Ali: Good morning Mr. Bala, I am Ali, fifth year medical student.
Mr. Bala: (Appears gloomy and it seems that he has not touched his food which is on the table next to him. Not responding to Ali nor having any eye contact with Ali).
Ali: (Pulls a chair close to Mr. Bala and sat).
Mr. Bala: (Still does not show any interest in Ali and continues looking down at his amputated leg).
Ali: (Starts writing down notes in his notepad) Why were you admitted Mr. Bala? When did they amputate your leg?
Mr. Bala: (Looking very sad) They amputated my leg a few days ago. All because of diabetes.
Ali: (Still writing and having poor eye contact) How long have you had diabetes? Are you on insulin?
Mr. Bala: How am I supposed to work with a leg like this, now.. How am I going to take care of my family.. How am I going to feed my wife and kids..
Ali: (Looks briefly at Mr. Bala, sighs, rolls his eyes and then looks back at his note)
Ali: Do you have any sensation on your left leg? (Pokes at Mr. Bala's amputated leg with his pen) You feel anything?
Ali: (Sits back) So was it infected? Is that why you got your leg amputated? (Crosses his leg and folds his arms)
Mr. Bala: My son started going to college. . My baby...(Mr. Bala gets interrupted abruptly by Ali).
Ali: What type of medications are you on now?
Mr. Bala: (Looks up at Ali angrily and annoyed).