Ethics & Law · single question
A patient says 'I really hate the sound of the drill.' The dentist responds: 'So what I am hearing is…' Which communication technique is this?
Show answer and explanation
Correct answer: D. Reflective listening
- A. Closed questioning asks for yes/no or brief factual responses.
- B. Affirming validates the patient's feelings or efforts (e.g., 'It took courage to come today'), not mirroring their words.
- C. Summarizing involves condensing the overall conversation at the end of a session, not mirroring a specific statement.
- D. Reflective listening involves repeating or paraphrasing what the patient said to show understanding. 'So what I am hearing is…' is the classic reflective listening opener.