Question

A patient who speaks primarily Spanish arrives for her occupational therapy appointment. It is her first time, and the therapist provides her with a form to complete with pertinent questions relevant to her session. The patient is unable to read the questions. The therapist appears annoyed and says, “never mind” and proceeds to lead her over to an area where he is to begin her session for the day. Did the therapist handle this encounter correctly? If not, what should he have done differently?

Answer 1

The therapist encounter was not correct because this reflected non professionalism on handling a patient. This response by the therapist can make the patient very uncomfortable and can even doubt on the service. In simple they experience no satisfaction in the service offered.

The thing which can be done differently are

• Comforting the patient in simple English that it is not a problem. This can provide reassurance to the patient.
• Trying to explain the question
• Making use of a medical interpreter or a translator to explain the patient is a hest way to handle in case of language barrier.