Sparring partner for difficult consultations

How to better position yourself by training with a counterpart

Go through the doctor-patient consultation in advance with a person you trust. In contrast to a “solo dress rehearsal”, a counterpart helps you prepare in a way closely resembling the consultation.

As patients we are often nervous if we have to speak with a doctor. The more complex and threatening the health topic appears to be, the more emotionally involved we are.

To make you feel more secure and better positioned in such a situation, it could make good sense to have a sparring partner. The ‘dry run’ is a tested method of preparation. When sparring with someone, an exercise we know from boxing, an actor trains with a counterpart. In doing so you are in a situation closely resembling the actual “boxing match”.

Hints for sparring

• Search out a sparring partner whom you trust and in whose presence you feel comfortable.

• Define how your sparring partner should react in his or her role: should he or she just listen and then give feedback later? May he or she ask extra questions in the consultation, if he or she does not understand something? Or should he or she take a critical stance, so your partner takes a more demanding sparring stance?

• Check the feedback you receive and adapt your strategy if necessary for your doctor-patient consultation.