Key takeaways in this post about patient story interviews:

  • Learn about the patient’s health and treatment beforehand to ask better questions.
  • Let patients share their story comfortably and save your questions for after they finish.
  • Talk to the healthcare team after the patient to get more insights that fit the patient’s story.


Author: Colleen Weinkam
Last updated: 07/17/24

Every patient has a story. And some of those stories need your help to be shared. When a patient trusts you to discuss what was likely one of the hardest points in their life, it’s your job to understand what happened, what they felt and what the outcome was. You’ll help and inspire others going through similar situations. Learn how to guide your patient story interview to get the heart of their story.

1. Learn what they’re facing

Before you get started, make sure you understand their medical condition and the treatment they’re facing. It will help you target your questions and save time. Make sure you’re using reputable resources, like Medline Plus, as you conduct your pre-interview research.

2. Plan your patient story interviews

What made you seek care initially? Did your health interfere with activities you enjoy? Your family life? Why did you choose to be treated at the healthcare system? If you didn’t go there first, what made you decide to go there? How did your health team help you? Was there anyone who particularly stood out to you? Who was your support team? What helped you during your treatment? What is your life like today?

8 questions to ask a patient

  1. Is there anything you would want others to know about this health [condition] [treatment] [healthcare] system?
  2. What made you seek care initially?
  3. Did your health interfere with activities you enjoy? Your family life?
  4. Why did you choose to be treated at the healthcare system? If you didn’t go there first, what made you decide to go there?
  5. How did your health team help you? Was there anyone who particularly stood out to you?
  6. Who was your support team?
  7. What helped you during your treatment?
  8. What is your life like today?

When the patient is a child, the dynamic changes and expands into the story of a family’s journey through a medical crisis.

8 questions to ask parents and caregivers

  1. Tell me about your child. What is their personality like? What do they enjoy doing?
  2. What led to your child’s diagnosis and your decision to take them to the healthcare system?
  3. Is there an interaction with a particular provider or staff member in the healthcare system that stands out to you?
  4. Tell me about your child’s health journey. What surprised you? Any bumps or roadblocks along the way?
  5. How are they developing? 
  6. What do you wish you knew at the beginning of this journey?
  7. What do you wish you could tell someone just starting it?
  8. Anything I didn’t ask that you want to make sure you mention?
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3. Supplement the story with expert advice

Once you’ve interviewed the patient and their caregivers and conducted health research, it’s time to turn your attention toward interviewing the healthcare team who treated them. This may be a specialist, a nurse navigator or other healthcare professional who worked closely with the patient and family.

If possible, it’s best to interview your medical experts after you’ve interviewed the patient. Knowing the patient’s story ahead of time can help you craft tailored questions that are unique to the patient’s story and the concerns they faced. It also allows you the benefit of creating supplemental articles that leverage your health experts and address issues your patient had along the way.

6 questions to ask the healthcare team

  1. Tell me about this condition. How common or rare is it?
  2. How were you able to help the patient?
  3. Why [are you] [is your team] able to care for patients like [patient name]? Are there unique treatments, clinical research or support programs to help the patient and their loved ones?
  4. What can you tell me about the patient (and their family)?
  5. What stands out about their story?
  6. Anything I didn’t ask that you want to make sure is included?

By strategically integrating your expert advice while prioritizing the patient’s story, you can create a well-rounded narrative that sheds light on both the patient’s experience and the quality of care provided.

Let WG Content help you write patient stories

WG Content’s 20+ years of experience bringing patient stories to life gives us the joy of earning our title as storytellers. We’re adept at interviewing patients like pros. Let us help you round out your patient stories to make an impact. Contact us today.

More tips about patient story interviews

When researching reputable information on your patient’s condition, turn to government websites such as the CDC or National Institutes of Health, peer-reviewed medical journals and websites of medical societies.

Take the time to chat with the patient at the beginning of the call to find common ground and reiterate the purpose of the conversation. Be sure to lead with empathy. Remember that you’re the one they’re trusting to tell what was likely one of the hardest points in their life.

If the patient or their parent doesn’t offer specifics, including how they felt during their treatment journey or how they’re doing afterward, ask about it after the interview. Also ask what they do for work or school, and what they enjoy doing for fun. Ask parents of a pediatric patient to describe their child’s personality, their likes and dislikes and what their daily life looks like.

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