Explanations of Five Notable “Talk Types” Derived from Patient-Clinician Conversations Recorded During Annual Wellness Visits
| Annual Wellness Visit Talk Type | Talk Type Definition | Examples from Annual Wellness Visit Recordings |
|---|---|---|
| Change talk | Verbalization of the intent of or strategies for changing health behavior (by patient or clinician) | Patient: “Do you think it would be healthier if I switched from cigarettes to vaping?” Clinician: “Well, vaping still carries health risks, but it may be a step for you in the right direction.” |
| Goal-setting talk | Discussion of specific (short or long-term) goals for changing behavior (by patient or clinician) | Clinician: “So, what I am hearing is that you could increase your sleep time by about an hour, so you could sleep at least 6|n$ hours every night? Could you start maybe next week?” Patient: “Yes, I think I could do that.” |
| Education talk | Providing more in-depth patient education (eg, explaining mechanisms) | Clinician: “Physical activity has been shown to improve steadiness and balance by strengthening our muscles and helping us better feel our movements as we walk. This can also help prevent falls.” |
| Advice talk | Providing specific and focused suggestions or recommendations (without further explanation) | Clinician: “I encourage you to do the things we have discussed and you said you would do, so we can get your blood sugar under control. I am afraid that if we can't get your sugar under control, you may have to go on insulin.” |
| Prescriptive talk | Clinicians simply tell patients what to do without much discussion or explanation | Clinician: “You really need to see the nutritionist! When we are finished, I am going to go ahead and put in a referral.” |
| Clinician: “Your pneumonia shot is due today; I will ask the nurse to give you the shot before you leave.” |