Imagine you’re a participant in a medical research study, about to share personal details about your lifestyle and health. How comfortable would you feel disclosing sensitive information like your drinking habits or sexual history? This scenario underscores the critical role of rapport in research interviews. Establishing trust and rapport is not just about creating a comfortable atmosphere; it’s about ensuring the accuracy and reliability of the data collected. Studies have shown that a strong rapport can significantly enhance the quality of information gathered, especially in areas sensitive to social stigma or personal privacy.

In this blog post, we delve into the intricacies of building trust and rapport during research interviews, exploring strategies that transform these interactions from mere data collection sessions into opportunities for mutual understanding and shared knowledge. By fostering a climate of respect, empathy, and genuine interest, we can empower participants to become active collaborators in the pursuit of medical breakthroughs. Note that creating rapport between the researcher and the participant is applied both in quantitative and qualitative research.

Importance of establishing trust and rapport in medical interviews

In biomedical research, the ability to establish trust and rapport with participants is a cornerstone for effective data collection. It’s essential for encouraging open and honest communication. When participants feel comfortable and trust the interviewer, they are more likely to be open and honest in their responses. This is particularly crucial when dealing with sensitive information that is prone to inaccuracies if rapport and trust are not well established. For instance, participants might be hesitant to accurately disclose details about their income, alcohol use, smoking habits, or sexual history/behaviours (like sexual partners or contraceptive use) due to privacy concerns, social stigma, or fear of judgment.

Trust and rapport allow the interviewer to go beyond superficial questions and probe deeper into the participant’s experiences and perspectives. This can lead to a richer understanding of the research topic. Also, participants who feel respected and valued are more likely to be satisfied with the interview experience and more willing to cooperate with future research.

Strategies for creating Rapport when conducting medical research interviews

Here are some strategies that interviewers can use to create a comfortable and supportive environment:

Before the interview:

• Provide participants with clear information about the study. This includes explaining the purpose of the study, the procedures involved and methods to use to answer your objectives, the measures put in place to ensure confidentiality of the data you will collect, and the potential risks (stating how you will minimize them) and benefits of participation.
• Obtain informed consent. This process ensures that participants fully understand the study and are making a voluntary decision to participate. They also understand that they are free to withdraw at any moment, with no pursuit or change in their medical procedures.
• Create a welcoming and comfortable environment. This may involve setting up the interview in a private location, offering participants refreshments, and using a friendly and respectful tone of voice. Be presentable and kind. For the participants to be comfortable, you need to make your environment attractive and work on yourself too. Prepare your questions in advance and master them in a logical way.
• Be mindful of the participant’s cultural and linguistic background. Use lay language that is appropriate for the participant to easily hear, understand and interpret and avoid making assumptions about their beliefs or values. This might involve using translation services or culturally relevant examples.

During the interview:

• Be an active listener. This means paying close attention to what the participant is saying, asking follow-up questions, and providing feedback that demonstrates your understanding.
• Show genuine interest in the participant’s experiences and perspectives. Ask open-ended questions that encourage the participant to share their thoughts and feelings.
• Be respectful of the participant’s time and privacy. Keep the interview within the allotted time frame and avoid asking questions that are too personal or sensitive. If sensitive questions are needed to answer your objectives, rephrase them and ask them in a way that won’t seem offensive to the participant. You can also leave the participant to relax before asking it, reducing the stress he got from the previous questions.
• Be aware of your own body language and tone of voice. Make eye contact, smile, and use a friendly and approachable tone.

After the interview:

• Thank the participant for their time and participation.
• Answer any questions that the participant may have.
• Provide the participant with information about how to access the results of the study.

Additional tips for making patients comfortable during a research interview:

• Be sensitive to the patient’s medical condition and emotional state. Avoid asking questions that may be upsetting or triggering.
• Take breaks if needed. If the patient seems tired or uncomfortable, offer to take a break.
• Be flexible and accommodating. If the patient needs to reschedule the interview or make other changes, be understanding.

Conclusion:

By following these strategies, interviewers can build trust and rapport with research participants, leading to more meaningful and informative interviews. This not only contributes to the success of medical research studies but also ensures that the process is respectful and considerate of participants’ needs and experiences. Creating a safe and supportive environment is essential for obtaining high-quality data that can advance medical research and improve patient care.

References

• Dobrzykowski TM. Feeling Comfortable: A Humanbecoming Perspective. Nurs Sci Q. 2017 Jan;30(1):10-16. doi: 10.1177/0894318416680511. PMID: 28899293.
• Slater K. Human Comfort. CC Thomas; Springfield, IL, USA: 1985. [Google Scholar]
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• Dempsey, Laura & Dowling, Maura & Larkin, Philip & Murphy, Kathy. (2016). Sensitive Interviewing in Qualitative Research: SENSITIVE INTERVIEWING. Research in Nursing & Health. 39. 10.1002/nur.21743.
• Lichstein PR. The Medical Interview. In: Walker HK, Hall WD, Hurst JW, editors. Clinical Methods: The History, Physical, and Laboratory Examinations. 3rd edition. Boston: Butterworths; 1990. Chapter 3. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK349/
• How to conduct a medical interview, online: https://physeo.com/how-to-conduct-the-best-medical-patient-interview/#:~:text=Tip%20%23%201%3A%20Introduce%