MODULE SEVEN:

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MODULE SEVEN
Health Observation and Data Collection
The information in this section has been adapted
from The Standards of Practice Manual for
Community Health Workers and Community Health
Occupations, Community Health Works of San
Francisco and the Centers for Disease Control
Handbook for Enhancing CHW Programs.
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Objectives

• Students will
• Conduct an interview using good observation and
  communication skills.
• Practice good listening and communication skills.
• Properly measure and record vital signs.
• Accurately communicate observations and data to
  their supervisor.

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We can learn a lot about the health of a person
by observation

• Watch their body language.
• Watch how they interact with others.
• Do they look happy?
• Do they appear healthy?
• How are they dressed?

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Look for things that are keys to health and
safety, not just reflections of the current
culture

• Ripped jeans may be the current fashion, or they
  may be a sign that someone is in need of new
  clothing.
• Dirty clothing or clothing that is not
  appropriate for the weather is more likely a sign
  of need.
• Messy hair may be the style, or it may be a sign
  of poor hygiene.

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You can tell quite a bit from observations
But interviews are also important in collecting
health data.
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When you interview someone

• Find a comfortable place.
• Find a private place.
• Sit at the same level and face the client.
• Avoid distractions turn off cell phones, for
  example.
• If talking to a child, kneel or sit on the floor.
  
• Establish a level of comfort by asking a few
  general questions.

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First, introduce yourself

• Tell the person your name.
• Explain that you are a Youth Health Service Corps
  Volunteer.
• Allow the person to ask you some questions.
• Ask the person to introduce herself/himself.

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Explain the purpose of the interview

• Tell the person what type of information you will
  be collecting.
• Tell the person why you are collecting the
  information.
• Tell the person what you will be doing with the
  information.

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For example, you can say

• I am going to be collecting some information
  about your health.
• I will be asking about your health, medications,
  illnesses and some family history.
• Collecting this information will help me
  determine your needs.
• After I collect this information, I will share
  it with the shelters medical case manager.

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Use body language to make the person comfortable

• Smile
• Nod
• Do not cross your arms
• Sit close, but not too close
• Avoid looking around the room
• Maintain eye contact with the client

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Use an icebreaker

• If the person you are interviewing seems nervous,
  make him/her comfortable by
• Bringing up a pleasant, unrelated topic or
  sharing something about yourself.
• Giving a compliment.
• Sharing a funny story.
• Talking about something current that is positive
  such as a team winning a game or nice weather.

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Document the interview

• If you need to take notes or fill out a form, let
  the person know you will be writing some things
  down.
• Continue to maintain eye contact and positive
  body language while taking notes.

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Make sure the person understands you

• Do not use slang terms.
• Do not use technical terms.
• Do not use acronyms for example, SARS is an
  acronym.
• Check with the client to make sure he/she
  understands you.
• Define words if necessary.
• Use an interpreter if needed.

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Assess the persons comfort and comprehension
level

• Observe the clients body language.
• Does he/she look confused?
• Ask Do you have any questions?
• Ask Am I being clear?
• Maintain eye contact.
• Review as you go along.

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Intake forms

• Complete all information
• Write legibly
• Answer all questions
• Take notes on another sheet if necessary
• Make a copy for the client

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Listening

• Active listening
• Verbal active listening
• Non-verbal active listening

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Active listening

• When you listen actively you will
• Help the person feel as though his/her ideas are
  important.
• Gain a better understanding of the persons
  concerns or experiences.
• Provide more effective and appropriate services.

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Verbal active listening

• Repeat what the person has said.
• Rephrase what was said.
• Connect points to something said earlier.
• Ask for clarification if you are not sure of what
  was meant.
• Thank the person for feedback and participation.

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Non-verbal listening

• Maintain open and receptive body language
• Maintain eye contact
• Nod when appropriate
• Smile

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Time management

• Make sure to let the client know start time, end
  time, and if/when there will be breaks.
• Refocus when client wanders off the topic.
• Stick to start and end times as much as possible.

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Ending the interview

• Thank the client.
• Address any concerns.
• Let the person know what to expect for a next
  meeting or step.
• Ask if there are any questions.

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Vital signs

• Vital signs tell a lot about your health status.
  They include
• Temperature
• Pulse
• Respiratory rate
• Blood pressure

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Temperature

• Can be taken by a manual or digital thermometer.
• The thermometer must be accurately read and
  recorded.

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Pulse

• The pulse is the number of heartbeats per minute
  your heart pumps blood through your arteries.
• The pulse is counted for one minute (60 seconds).
• However, you can take the pulse for 30 seconds
  and MULTIPLY the number of beats by 2 to get the
  beats per minute.
• Use a watch with a second hand as a timer.
• Normal adult pulse is between 60-100 beats per
  minute.

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Respiratory rate

• One inspiration (breath in) and one expiration
  (breath out) equals one full respiration.
• To count respirations, observe the persons chest
  rise and fall.
• The person should be sitting and should not be
  talking.
• As with taking a pulse, the respiratory rate is
  usually counted for 30 seconds and then
  multiplied by 2 to obtain the number of
  respirations per minute.
• Normal adult respiratory rate is 10-20
  respirations per minute.

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Blood pressure

• Blood pressure is the pressure that is exerted by
  the blood against the blood vessels and arteries.
  It is an indicator of heart and artery health.
• Blood pressure ranges are different for everyone.
  
• The blood pressure gauge will allow you to read
  the systolic and diastolic pressures.
• The systolic pressure is the first sound you
  hear.
• The diastolic pressure is the last sound you
  hear.
• Blood pressure is recorded as systolic/diastolic
  pressures in mm Hg. For example 120/80.

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Blood glucose/sugar measurement

• Blood glucose, measured by a finger stick test,
  indicates the amount of sugar in the blood.
• This is often the first screening performed for
  diabetes.
• Gloves must be worn as part of universal
  precautions during this test.

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Summary

• To begin an interview, the first thing you should
  do is introduce yourself.
• Active listening allows you to provide more
  effective and appropriate services.
• It is completely appropriate to ask for
  clarification if you are not sure of what was
  meant.
• You are responsible for making sure that the
  client understands the questions you are asking.

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Summary (continued)

• When ending an interview, dont forget to thank
  the client.
• Vital signs and blood glucose are used to screen
  for a wide range of health issues.