How much personal info you do share with a patient?

[christieb01]

I am a nursing student and this issue has always bothered me. I have had patients ask me personal questions, i.e. if I am married, have children, etc. Most of the time I do not mind answering these questions but I am not sure if this is appropriate. Next quarter I will be doing peds and ob. What amount of information is appropriate to share?

Thanks!

[alpha omega]

I work in LTC.

If a patient asks me, I'll give general information (that I'm married, that I have kids, etc.) But no details, and I keep it light. For instance, I never told my patients about my family member deaths, etc.

I never volunteer information unasked, and I try to turn the conversation back to the patient's life as soon as I can and still be polite about it.