Tapping for Possible Discontinuance of a Medication

“. . . the architectural impulse seems connected to a longing for communication and commemoration, a longing to declare ourselves to the world through a register other than words, through the language of objects, colors and bricks: an ambition to let others know who we are — and, in the process, to remind ourselves.”

Alain de Botton
The Architecture of Happiness

Tapping for Possible Discontinuance of a Medication

TISA Description of the Problem: It can be difficult for patients to share their misgivings about a particular medication, and there are often very good reasons for their misgivings. Not everyone should be on a medication, and not every medication is a good fit for everyone. Factors ranging from not wanting to disappoint a valued clinician to a personal hesitancy, to be appropriately assertive, can get in the way of a healthy sharing of patient concern. As Larry Doehring, DO suggests in the following excellent tip, sometimes it is best merely to ask.

Tip: To better secure an idea concerning a patient’s feelings about taking a medication and to see if they feel the meds are working, I casually ask, “Have you been having any feelings about wanting to stop this medication, perhaps even for a little while.”

TISA Follow-up: Here is yet another very nice clinical interviewing tip, that fits nicely with the Medication Interest Model (MIM) in which the emphasis is upon patient choice. I believe the “casualness” of the clinician’s tone of voice and timing is probably a key component for the success of this interviewing technique. At a minimum, the genuine openness of the health provider will surely help to foster a collaborative and vital therapeutic alliance.

Tip provided by:

Larry Doehring, DO
Complete Family Care
North Glenn, Colorado