What is the primary purpose of the 'Invitation' step in the SPIKES protocol?

• A. To assess the patient’s readiness to receive information
• B. To document the decision
• C. To summarize the plan
• D. To share information without invitation

Answer: (A)

The Invitation step is about gauging how much the patient wants to know and whether they’re ready to receive information. It sets the pace and depth of the conversation by asking for permission and clarifying how much detail the patient desires. For example, a clinician might start with, “Would you like me to go over the results in detail now, or would you prefer a brief summary?” This respects the patient’s autonomy and helps prevent overwhelming them with difficult news all at once.

This step isn’t about documenting a decision, summarizing a plan, or sharing information without invitation. Those actions occur in later parts of the conversation after you’ve aligned with the patient’s preferences.