Which of the following are interviewing skills?

• A. empathetic listener, ability to relate to all ages, non judgmental or biased, ethnicity and cultural considerations
• B. Active listening, eye contact, and summarizing
• C. Interrupting frequently to speed up the interview
• D. Avoiding any discussion of culture or background

Answer: (A)

Effective interviewing rests on building rapport through empathy, the ability to relate to people of all ages, and a nonjudgmental stance that is aware of ethnicity and cultural factors. This combination creates a safe space where patients feel understood and are more likely to share accurate and complete information about their symptoms, feelings, and health beliefs. While concrete techniques like active listening, eye contact, and summarizing are valuable tools, they work best when grounded in a respectful, culturally sensitive approach. Focusing only on techniques without that attitude can make the interview feel mechanical and may miss important context or concerns. Conversely, avoiding discussions of culture or interrupting the patient would hinder trust and undermine the quality of the history.