Doctor-patient communication is known to be critical for health maintenance. We all need to understand what our doctor is recommending so we can do it. And we want to be able to tell our doctor what is bothering us.
But aphasia and other communication disabilities can make doctor-patient communication difficult. When that happens, the small adjustments a doctor makes in their interaction can mean all the difference in the world.
For National Doctor’s Day, on March 30, we want to thank all of the doctors who make those small adjustments in their communication style so that people with aphasia and other communication disabilities feel acknowledged and included in their own health care.
We’ve written a letter to doctors everywhere, thanking them for the accommodations they make so that people with communication disabilities can still be equal partners in their own health care.
Here are four things we want to thank doctors for.
Thank you for…
…knowing that if I don’t understand what you tell me, I can’t follow your recommendations, and it might affect my health.
…talking to me and my partner who comes with me. We are both affected by my condition. But I am still the patient.
…giving me enough time to try to tell you what I mean.
…using a pen and paper to write down keywords, and let me write what I can’t say.
We are asking people with aphasia and their families to thank their doctors during the week of National Doctor’s Day. You can download our thank you letter here, and send it or take it to your doctor.
Many thanks and Happy Doctor’s Day to all those doctors who take a few moments everyday to help us.