Page 55 - 2020 ARE eGuide for Clinical at Nonhospital Sites

Patients with a Reduced Ability to Speak, Understand, and/or Read English

If your patient is illiterate or speaks a foreign language, giving them written materials will
only increase their confusion.
Asking someone who has reduced literacy whether they understand what you just gave
them to read may make them too embarrassed to admit their difficulty.
Another issue is the problem experienced by clinicians for whom English is a second
language. Another staff member in the unit should help them communicate more clearly.

Patients should be encouraged to say:

"I don't understand what you're saying,
Doctor. Can you explain?"

Providing an adequate understanding of a patient's
illness can often be invaluable in reducing a
patient's fear and anxiety. The patients'
understanding or their plan of care is instrumental
in bringing about a more positive outcome for the
patient.

As healthcare workers it is important to consider
the patients' individual needs including their
specific population when educating our patients.