Skip to main content

Table 1 Summary of SPIKES comprised of six steps

From: Effects of communication skill training (CST) based on SPIKES for insurance-covered pharmacy pharmacists to interact with simulated cancer patients

S (Setting up the Interview)

Arrange for some privacy

Attendance of the family

P (Assessing the patient’s Perception)

Correction of wrong perceptions

Questions that can be answered freely

I (Obtaining the patient’s Invitation)

Confirmation of the information that the patient demands

Confirmation of what a patient thinks he/she wants to know

K (Giving Knowledge and information to the patient)

Try to use nontechnical words

Periodically check the patient’s understanding

E (Addressing the patient’s Emotions with empathic response)

Let the patient know that you understand the emotion

Attitude to understand the emotion of the patient

S (Strategy and summary)

Put together information to be provided and confirm it for the last time

Set an aim that is achievable in the future