Your patient has indicated fear about his illness, stating that he is afraid that he may die. This has made the interview difficult, as you have been unable to get the patient to give you many details regarding his symptoms or the events preceding them. Which of the following techniques is an acceptable method to focus the interview and get the needed information?

Repeating your understanding of the situation back to the patient is useful in helping them realize what relevant information they have not yet revealed. It is typically not advisable to take an authoritarian role with a patient, as this may add to their emotional distress and worsen their communication ability. It is also not a good idea to give patients false assurances, such as telling them that they will be fine. Decreasing the physical distance can be intimidating to the patient, as can telling them that they may worsen if you can't get the necessary information. Both of these techniques will increase patient apprehension and will likely have a negative impact on communication.