erent topics brought up for discussion in a general conversation is far greater than the number of topics that are discussed in a health interview, for the questions are restricted primarily to health related issues.
             The interview process can be divided into four phases:
             The following is an analyse of an interview carried out by myself, who will be referred to as nurse, and a nineteen year old Caucasian male. The aim of this interview was to utilise and to apply the knowledge of communication skills of the interview, covering demographic data, health history and daily living.
             The nurse introduced herself to the client, showed the client to a cubicle and asked him to be seated; he chose to lie on the bed instead of using the chair provided. The nurse drew the curtains for privacy. The nurse introduced herself, shook hands, seated herself at a ninety-degree angle to the patient and then proceeded to explain the health assessment form and thanked the client for giving his time to be interviewed. Sundeen and associates, (1994). State that the initiation phase is especially important because it sets the tone and creates the climate for the professional- client relationship.
             The nurse created small talk with the client, which is known as "phatic communication". "A brief period of commonplace talk gives participants time to adjust to the setting and to each other before getting into a discussion of more personnel information". (Barnyard & Haiman, 1960).
             It is important for the nurse to reduce the client's anxieties so as not to make the client feel apprehensive and to focus on relaxing the client so that they will be able to discuss their worries and concerns.
             This was an effective introduction to the interview and the nurse promoted a warm relaxed atmosphere. The nurse also stated, "ask you a few questions? If there are any questions you don't understand or you're not happy with and you wan...