When it comes to effective communication, whether with patients, team members, or even in your personal life, asking the right questions can make all the difference. As Tony Robbins famously said, “Successful people ask better questions, and as a result, they get better answers.”

At The Hive, we love using simple, powerful frameworks that help practitioners uncover the real issues behind surface-level problems. One of our go-to tools is the SPIN questioning technique – a straightforward yet highly effective method to gain clarity quickly.

What Is SPIN?

SPIN is an acronym that stands for:

S – Situation

P – Problem

I – Implication

N – Need

This four-part framework helps guide conversations to uncover meaningful insights, making it particularly valuable for new practitioners learning to navigate patient consults and team interactions. Let’s break down each component:

S – Situation: Getting the Big Picture

Start by gathering the basic facts. Think of this as setting the scene:

What’s going on?

When did the issue start?

Who or what is involved?

Understanding the broader context helps prevent premature conclusions. This foundational step ensures you’re looking at the whole picture before drilling down into specific issues.

P – Problem: Identifying the Core Issue

Once you’ve established the situation, it’s time to dig deeper:

What is the actual pain point?

What’s bothering the patient or the team member?

Where does it hurt? When is it worse or better?

This stage is all about pinpointing the crux of the issue. Whether it’s a recurring injury in a patient or a behavioural concern with a team member, asking targeted questions helps uncover the root cause.

I – Implication: Understanding Why It Matters

Here’s where the conversation gets personal. The goal is to uncover the real-world impact of the problem:

Why does this issue matter to the person involved?

What are the consequences if it’s not addressed?

How does it affect their daily life, work, or relationships?

Understanding the implications raises the stakes, creating a sense of urgency and motivation for action. For patients, this could mean realizing how an untreated injury affects their ability to enjoy hobbies or perform at work. For team members, it might highlight how unresolved conflicts impact team dynamics.

N – Need: Defining the Next Steps

After identifying the situation, problem, and implications, it’s time to focus on solutions:

What is needed to move forward?

What specific actions should be taken?

Who is responsible for each step, and how will success be measured?

This step transforms insights into actionable plans. Whether you’re creating a treatment plan for a patient or setting goals with a team member, clearly defining the “need” ensures everyone knows the path forward.

Applying SPIN in Real-World Scenarios

The beauty of SPIN is its versatility. While it’s incredibly effective in inpatient consultations, it also works in coaching conversations, team meetings, and even personal relationships. Here’s how it might look in practice:

Example: A New Patient Consultation

Situation: “What activities are you involved in? Is there any history related to your current condition?”

Problem: “Where does it hurt? When do you notice it the most? How does movement affect the pain?”

Implication: “How is this injury affecting your ability to work, exercise, or enjoy daily activities?”

Need: “Based on what we’ve discussed, here’s a treatment plan to help you get back to [specific activity].”

Example: Coaching a Team Member

Situation: “What’s been happening with this project? Who’s involved?”

Problem: “What challenges are you facing? What’s causing frustration?”

Implication: “How is this issue affecting team morale or productivity?”

Need: “What support do you need to move forward effectively?”

Ready to SPIN?

SPIN isn’t just about asking questions – it’s about asking the right questions. This framework helps:

Build trust: By showing genuine interest in the person’s situation and challenges.

Create clarity: Breaking down complex issues into manageable parts.

Drive action: Leading conversations toward meaningful solutions.

While experienced practitioners might naturally follow a similar process, SPIN is especially helpful for new grads who are still developing their clinical reasoning and communication skills.

Next time you’re in a consult, coaching session, or even a casual conversation, give SPIN a try. Better questions lead to better answers – and better outcomes.

If you’d like to explore how SPIN or any of our other frameworks can be applied in your specific practice situation, schedule a call with us. We’d love to help you unlock even more potential in your team and practice.