Ask a simple question during an in-between moment

A single question can unlock memories that will distract your patient from their current pain — and fill your day

December 23, 2013 02:00 AM •

We have many wonderful “in-between” moments in EMS: the time between assessments, the time between leaving for the hospital and arriving at the hospital, the time between arriving at the hospital and giving reports. Use any of these in-between moments to ask your patient a simple question.

This article, originally published Dec. 23, 2013, has been updated with current information

I hear over and over from EMTs and paramedics that their best-ever moments in EMS began by asking a patient a simple question about their life, memories or accomplishments. We have many wonderful “in-between” moments in EMS: the time between assessments, the time between leaving for the hospital and arriving at the hospital, the time between arriving at the hospital and giving reports. Use any of these in-between moments to ask your patient a simple question.

Happier holidays

During the holiday season, you might ask patients questions like:

Do you have a favorite Christmas or holiday memory from your childhood?
What was the best gift you ever got? Or the best gift you ever gave?
If you could be with anyone, who would you be with on Christmas Eve?
When you were still cooking, what was on the menu for Thanksgiving dinner or other holiday meals?

Adjust the questions to your patient’s age, ethnicity and religion. Be a detective and ask a question that will have meaning to the patient.

Picture their past

At any in-between time, you can ask patients about the treasured photos and other keepsakes they have sitting beside their bed, in their front hall or on their desk. You might ask:

I noticed a photo in your bedroom. Was that you? Who was with you in that photo?
Tell me something about the group of adults and kids in that photo in your hallway.
I saw a picture of a handsome gentleman (or young lady) in a military uniform. Did you serve? Or is that your brother, sister, son, daughter, niece, nephew, mom or dad?

Of course, you can fill the in-between time with checking boxes on the electronic patient care report or fiddling with the cardiac monitor settings. But, that’s not going to give you any “I heard this amazing story from a patient today” opportunities for your family and friends.

Most times a single question is enough to unlock a treasure of memories that will fill your day and distract the patient from their current pain or misery. Ask patients a simple question this holiday season and share the results in the comments. Or share one of your favorite questions with other readers.

Greg Friese, MS, NRP

Greg Friese, MS, NRP, is the Lexipol Editorial Director, leading the efforts of the editorial team on Police1, FireRescue1, Corrections1 and EMS1. Greg served as the EMS1 editor-in-chief for five years. He has a bachelor’s degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and a master’s degree from the University of Idaho. He is an educator, author, national registry paramedic since 2005, and a long-distance runner. Greg was a 2010 recipient of the EMS 10 Award for innovation. He is also a three-time Jesse H. Neal award winner, the most prestigious award in specialized journalism, and the 2018 and 2020 Eddie Award winner for best Column/Blog. Connect with Greg on LinkedIn.