How to End a Patient Visit Without Feeling Rude (Cutting the Patient off)

Let me say this with love… Some of y’all are staying in patient rooms way too long. And I get it. Nobody taught you how to end a visit. So you sit. And listen. And nod. And now you’re 2 hours deep into a story that done looped back three times. Meanwhile… there are other patients who haven’t been seen. That’s not the ministry of presence—that’s avoidance with a spiritual label on it. In this video, I’m breaking down how to actually close a visit using OARS from motivational interviewing: • Open-ended questions • Affirmations • Reflections • Summaries (this is where your exit lives, okay?) I’ll show you how to: ✔ Gently interrupt without being disrespectful ✔ Use reflections to bring the conversation to a natural pause ✔ Summarize in a way that honors the patient and protects your time ✔ Leave the room without guilt Because being a good chaplain isn’t about how long you stay… It’s about how well you show up—and how wisely you steward your presence. Go ahead and watch this before your next shift. Your future self (and your patient list) will thank you. #chaplain #chaplaincy