Outbreak Interview Practice (Page 2 of 5) in pdf

Outbreak Interview Practice Page 2

Appendix 1

Bill Keene’s Keys to Interviewing Success and Ten Cardinal Rules for Conducting Interviews

Bill Keene’s Keys to Interviewing Success

• Keep the interview as conversational and as natural as possible while staying in the

confines of the questionnaire.

• Show empathy to the interviewee.

• Explain what you’re doing and why you’re doing it.

Ten Cardinal Rules for Conducting Interviews

1. Do a practice run until you’re comfortable with the questionnaire

2. Find a quiet place to conduct your interviews

3. Be non-judgmental

4. Avoid leading the witness

5. Accurately record what people say

6. Ensure confidentiality, beginning with conducting interviews in a private location

7. Gently re-direct, as needed

8. Probe if answers are vague, particularly about time of symptom onset

9. Work with epidemiology staff to provide language interpretation, if needed

10. Thank interviewee at closing and explain how info will be used

Outbreak Interview Practice Page 2