GATHER Elements: Greet Ask Tell Help Explain Return Charts Contents

EXPLAINING—

Explaining So Clients Remember

In GATHER, E stands for “Explain.” The provider explains to the client how to carry out the client’s decision. Often the provider gives instructions. (See chart Explain How To Use the Chosen Method for instructions about family planning methods.) When explaining, the provider tries to tailor and personalize instructions to suit the individual client’s way of life (see Telling Clients Information).

KEY WORDS FOR EXPLAINING

"Do you think you can do this? What might stop you?"

If the client sees problems, you and the client can discuss ways to overcome them.

12 Tips To Help Clients Remember

The way you give information—especially instructions—can help clients remember them:

  1. Keep it short. Choose the few most important points that the client must remember.
  2. Keep it simple. Use short sentences and common words that clients understand.
  3. Keep it separate. Keep important instructions separate from information that does not need to be remembered.
  4. Point out what to remember. For example, “These 3 points are important to remember:….” Then list the 3 points. Most important to remember is what to do and when.
  5. Put first things first. Give the most important information first. It will be remembered best.
  6. Organize. Put information in categories. For example: “There are 4 medical reasons to come back to the clinic.”
  7. Repeat. The last thing you say can remind the client of the most important instruction.
  8. Show as well as speak. Sample contraceptives, flip charts, wall charts, and other pictures reinforce the spoken word. (See below.)
  9. Be specific. For example, “check the IUD strings regularly” is not clear and not easy to follow. It is clearer to say, “Just after a menstrual period, wash your hands. Then put your finger high up in your vagina and feel the IUD strings. If the strings seem longer, shorter, or missing, or you feel something hard, come back to see us.”
  10. Make links. Help clients find a routine event that reminds them to act—for example, “When you first eat something each day, think about taking your pill at that time.” OR “Please come back for your next injection in the week after the summer festival.”
  11. Check understanding. Ask clients to repeat important instructions. This helps them remember. Also, you can gently correct any errors.
  12. Send it home. Give the client simple print materials to take home. Review this material with the client first.
Suggested exercises:
Should counselors explain side effects? Yes!

Does explaining side effects of a family planning method scare away clients? Does it make them worry needlessly? Or does explaining help clients handle side effects if they occur?

Research shows that clients use their method longer when counselors explain side effects in advance.

Possible side effects should be explained honestly and without alarm. Important messages are:

  • Many people do not have any side effects.
  • The most common side effects are not dangerous and not signs of danger. Make this clear when explaining these side effects. Examples: nausea with combined oral contraceptives (the Pill), amenorrhea (no menstrual bleeding) with injectables.
  • Many side effects go away without treatment. Many side effects can be treated.
  • If there are specific medical reasons to see a doctor or nurse, make clear that these happen only rarely. Explain these specific medical reasons separately from side effects that are not dangerous.
  • Clients are always welcome to come back with any concerns or questions or to change methods.

Tips on Using Audiovisual Materials

Audiovisual materials help clients learn and remember. These materials include sample contraceptives, wall charts, take-home pamphlets and wallet cards, flip charts, audiotapes, videotapes, drawings, and diagrams such as those shown below. Even simple, handmade audiovisual materials are better than none at all. Here are some tips on using audiovisual materials:

  • Make sure clients can clearly see the visual materials.
  • Explain pictures, and point to them as you talk.
  • Look mostly at the client, not at the flip chart or poster.
  • Change the wall charts and posters in the waiting room from time to time. Then clients can learn something new each time they come.
  • Invite clients to touch and hold sample contraceptives.
  • Use sample contraceptives when explaining how to use methods. Clients can practice putting a condom on a model penis, a stick, or a banana. Clients may want privacy for this.
  • If possible, give clients pamphlets or instruction sheets to take home. These print materials can remind clients what to do. Be sure to go over the materials with the client. You can mention information, and the client will remember it when he or she looks at the print material later.
  • Suggest that the client show take-home materials to other people.
  • Order more take-home materials before they run out.
  • Make your own materials if you cannot order them or if they run out.

VASECTOMY

You can use this picture to help tell clients how vasectomy is done. It shows how the man’s tubes are cut to prevent sperm from leaving his body. For more description of the vasectomy procedure, see chart Explain How To Use the Chosen Method.

Diagram of vasectomy.
FEMALE STERILIZATION
(Tubal Ligation)

You can use these pictures to help tell clients how tubal ligation is done. The large picture shows where the tubes are blocked. The 2 small pictures show where the incision in the skin is made. The upper picture shows an incision for laparoscopy. The lower picture shows an incision for minilaparotomy. For more description of female sterilization procedures, see chart Explain How To Use the Chosen Method.

Diagram of female sterilization.
Adapted from Associação Brasileira de Entidades de Planejamento Familiar
IUD
(Intrauterine Divice)

You can use this picture to show clients where the IUD is placed in the womb.

Diagram of placement of IUD.
Courtesey of Associação Brasileira de Entidades de Planejamento Familiar

GATHER Elements: Greet Ask Tell Help Explain Return Charts Contents

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